Immigration Specialists
Verified professionals who can help with your visa application
Korea launched its digital nomad visa (, officially called the '워케이션 비자') in May 2025 under the (visit-stay) category. It lets foreign remote workers and overseas business owners legally reside in Korea for up to one year while continuing to work for their overseas employer. This guide explains the requirements and how to apply.
Reviewed against
James Chae, 행정사 (Korean Licensed Administrative Attorney). License No. 220-06-06463 · 대한행정사회 (Korean Administrative Agents Association). Reviewed against the HiKorea 사증·체류업무 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 and cross-checked with Ministry of Justice issuances.
Last reviewed
April 22, 2026
Source references
Filing caution
Requirements can change by nationality, local immigration office, and filing channel. Confirm exact requirements with HiKorea, the responsible Korean consulate, or a licensed immigration specialist before filing.
The F-1-D is a sub-category of the F-1 (방문동거, visit-stay) visa. It is not a work visa — you cannot work for Korean companies, hire Korean employees, or generate income from Korean sources on this status. The visa covers remote work performed for overseas employers or self-employed ownership of an overseas business.
You must: (1) be an owner of an overseas business OR an employee of an overseas company, and able to perform your work remotely; (2) have at least 1 year of work experience in the same industry; (3) be 18 years old or older (accompanying children are exempt from the age requirement); (4) have annual income of at least twice the previous year's per capita GNI (approximately ₩84M+ at 2024 rates); and (5) have personal health insurance with at least ₩100M in coverage including Korean hospital treatment and medical repatriation to your home country.
Your annual income must be at least twice the previous year's per capita Gross National Income (GNI), as announced by the Bank of Korea. At 2024 GNI rates (~₩42M per capita), this means at least ~₩84M per year. Prepare recent pay stubs, salary bank transfers, or account balance statements as proof.
Purchase international travel/health insurance that covers: (1) medical treatment at Korean hospitals, and (2) medical evacuation and repatriation back to your home country. The total insured amount must be at least ₩100,000,000 (₩100M, approximately USD $75,000). Keep your insurance certificate (보험증권) — you will need it for the application.
If employed: get a certificate of employment from your overseas employer confirming your position, start date, and remote work capability. The document must show at least 1 year in the same industry. If self-employed: prepare your overseas business registration. Have income documents ready: recent pay stubs, bank statements, or an accountant's letter confirming annual income.
From abroad: apply at the Korean embassy or consulate in your country with the full document set. In Korea: if you are on a short-term visa (, , ), you can apply for a status change (체류자격변경허가) at your local immigration office or Hi Korea online. You cannot apply from within Korea on a long-term visa of a different type without first leaving and re-entering.
After approval, register at the immigration office to receive your Alien Registration Card (ARC). Registration is required if your authorized stay exceeds 90 days.
The income requirement is checked in KRW at current exchange rates — if your income is in USD or EUR, currency fluctuations could affect eligibility. Prepare a recent bank statement rather than only a salary letter.
The ₩100M insurance requirement includes evacuation/repatriation — standard travel insurance or most Korean national health insurance plans do not meet this threshold. Look for international plans that specifically include medical evacuation.
The 1-year same-industry requirement means continuous employment in the same sector, not necessarily the same company. A career change 6 months ago could affect eligibility.
Family members (spouse and children) can be included on the same application. Bring marriage certificates and birth certificates for children, all translated into Korean if not in English or Korean.
Need help with this?
Our specialists handle how to get korea's digital nomad visa (f-1-d) cases regularly and know exactly what Korean immigration officers look for.
Verified professionals who can help with your visa application
Mr. Visa Korea lists certified immigration administrative agents (행정사) who have been verified by our team. Book a consultation directly — no cold calls, no guessing.
Verified profiles only
Direct consultation booking
Certified & reviewed
All agents on Mr. Visa Korea are certified immigration administrative agents (행정사) registered in Korea.
Unfamiliar with a term? Browse the full glossary
Visa Process
Alien Registration Card (ARC)
The Alien Registration Card (ARC) is the official ID card issued to foreigners staying in South Korea for 91 days or longer. It is required to open a bank account, sign a phone contract, and access most public services.
Visa Process
HiKorea
How to use HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr) — Korea's official immigration portal for visa extensions, status changes, and ARC renewal. Processing time: 3-10 business days.
Visa Process
Visa Extension (Stay Period Extension)
A visa extension — officially called a 'stay period extension' (체류기간 연장) in Korean immigration law — allows a foreigner to legally remain in Korea beyond the expiry date on their current visa or ARC without leaving the country.
Visa Process
Status of Sojourn Change (체류자격 변경)
A status of sojourn change allows a foreigner already in South Korea to switch from one visa category to another without leaving the country — for example, from a D-2 student visa to an E-7 skilled worker visa upon graduation and employment.
Can I work for Korean clients as a freelancer on the F-1-D visa?
What income does the visa actually require?
Your annual income must be at least twice the per capita GNI as published by the Bank of Korea for the previous year. At 2024 GNI of approximately ₩42M per capita, the threshold is approximately ₩84M per year. This figure is updated annually — check the most current rate before applying.
Can I extend the F-1-D beyond one year?
Yes. Extensions are available for those who continue to maintain an active overseas employment contract and still meet all eligibility requirements (income, insurance, industry tenure).
Does the F-1-D lead to permanent residency?
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed April 2026
