South Korea introduces ‘digital nomad’ visa that will permit foreigners to stay there for 2 years

As per the latest reports, South Korea has launched a new visa for foreign nationals visiting the country on a working holiday. This new initiative comes in the wake of accommodating the rising popularity of remote work and extended vacations.

This visa will allow foreign residents to stay in the country for up to two years while retaining employment in their home country, as reported by various media outlets citing officials.

Recognising the growing trend of ‘workcation,’ where individuals work remotely from various locations, the Justice Ministry of South Korea will be launching the workation visa on January 1, 2024. The initiative encourages people to stay in the country for an extended period, aligning with the global workation trend.

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Currently, foreign nationals interested in working and traveling in Korea need a tourist visa, which is limited to stays of less than 90 days. The proposed workation visa will enable individuals to stay for up to one year from their entry date, with the option to extend for another year.

Referring to this, the ministry further stated that to make remote work and vacation for foreigners in Korea smoother, they have decided to launch a new digital nomad visa.

As regarding ‘workation,’ it’s referred to the process that has a blend of work and vacation, and is a contemporary working trend where individuals maintain their regular work routine while embarking on long-term travel. Many countries in Europe, Central and South America, and Southeast Asia have recently introduced workation visas for digital nomads to adapt to the changing nature of work.

Applicants for the digital nomad visa must submit required documentation to the South Korean Embassy in their respective countries, including proof of an annual income exceeding 84.96 million won (S$86,700), double South Korea’s gross national income per capita as of 2022.

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Additional documents that will be required are employment verification and a criminal record check. Moreover, applicants must possess private health insurance with coverage of at least 100 million won to ensure their ability to return home in emergencies.

The age requirement for applicants is 18 or older, with a minimum of one year of experience in their current field. Once granted the visa, digital nomads can bring their spouses and children. It’s noteworthy that the initial one-year stay in South Korea can be extended for another year.

An appealing aspect of this initiative is that foreigners already in South Korea on short-term tourist visas like B-1, B-2, or C-3 can apply for the new digital nomad visa. However, it’s crucial to note that this visa does not grant digital nomads the ability to seek employment within South Korea.