Korea Officially Announces New Digital Nomad Visa

South Korea has this week announced its plans to unroll a new digital nomad visa starting on January 1, 2024. The visa will allow foreign residents to stay in the country for up to two years while working a remote job back home.

“To make remote work and vacation of foreigners in Korea smoother, we have decided to launch a new digital nomad visa,” the Justice Ministry said in a release while pointing out the rise of the workcation trend.

“So far, foreigners were required to apply for tourist visas or just stay for less than 90 days without a visa for ‘workcation’ in Korea. The new system will allow employees and employers in overseas firms to tour and work remotely in Korea for a longer period of time.”

Digital nomads interested in applying must submit all documentation to the Korean embassy in their respective country. They must be able to prove that they earn an annual income of over 84.96 million won (that’s USD 65,000). The number is double the gross national income per capita in Korea (42.48 million won).

Applicants must also submit documents that verify employment status, details of their criminal record, and proof of private health insurance. They must have been working in their field for at least a year and have to be at least 18 years of age.

It’s also worth noting that applicants who receive the visa are permitted to bring a spouse and dependents who are under the age of 18.

The new visa system is considered a test run and the government will later assess whether to make the process permanent.