Digital nomad visa in South Korea: income, insurance and documents

South Korea opened a visa for remote workers and has since changed the conditions twice. For digital nomads this is a rare offer: the country is safe, the internet is fast, and the flight from Europe takes about twelve hours.

From 2026, the income threshold is tied to gross national income per capita and amounts to 52,416,000 KRW per year (as of 09/2026, Korea visa portal page). How much you specifically need to earn depends on your age and the region where you plan to live. Below we break down the requirements, insurance, and real living costs.

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Digital nomad visa: income and documents

💡 In short:

• The F-1-D visa is designed for remote work for a foreign employer or your own foreign business.
• Confirmed income, medical insurance with high coverage, and a criminal record certificate are mandatory.
• Housing takes the biggest chunk of money, while transport and mobile service are cheaper than in Western Europe.
• Conditions and amounts: 09/2026, verified on the official visa portal.

For a remote worker, the main route into the country is the F-1-D visa, also called a workation visa. It does not allow work for Korean companies and does not generate income from Korea. You remain an employee of a foreign company and work for it remotely. The visa is issued for one year and extended one year at a time, up to three years total (as of 09/2026, visa portal data).

Income requirements depend on age and region of residence.

As of 09/2026, source: Korea visa portal.

If you are traveling with a spouse or children, the income requirement is higher (as of 09/2026, requirements on the visa portal). The applicant must be over eighteen and confirm experience in one industry. The document package includes a criminal record certificate and medical insurance with coverage of at least 100 million KRW (as of 09/2026, Korea Visa Portal). We verified the requirements on 03.09.2026 on the official visa portal.

For short trips, no visa is needed: citizens of many countries enter under the K-ETA tourist authorization, which is issued online (K-ETA rules on VisitKorea). For some countries, the requirement is temporarily waived until December 31, 2026 (Korea tourism office data).

Climate: when to come

Korea has four distinct seasons, and they differ greatly. Winter is dry and cold: the average temperature stays around minus two degrees, dropping to minus six at night. Summer is hot and humid, around plus twenty-five (as of 09/2026, Climate of Seoul).

© Korea.net / Korean Culture and Information Service (Jeon Han) · CC BY-SAPhoto: Korea.net / Korean Culture and Information Service (Jeon Han), CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The mildest weather is in spring and fall: dry, warm, and little rain. In summer you'll hit the rainy season with high humidity. In winter, bring a warm jacket; heating in apartments works reliably.

Safety: what to keep in mind

South Korea is considered one of the most safe countries in the region. Locals casually leave their belongings unattended, but you still shouldn't do that.

Petty theft and fights happen in clubs and nightlife areas. Keep your phone on you and don't leave your bag unattended. Foreigners are better off staying away from protests and strikes: the police respond harshly, and you could end up with problems with your status.

Healthcare and insurance

Healthcare in Korea is high quality in both public and private clinics. It won't be free: a doctor's appointment and tests cost significant money even for locals.

International centers serve foreigners, such as Severance Hospital in Seoul. They have interpreters who help fill out insurance paperwork.

For the visa, you need health insurance with coverage of at least 100 million KRW, including treatment in Korean clinics and repatriation to your home country. A standard travel policy usually doesn't meet that bar. If you plan to stay long term, it's worth comparing insurance options. Get your policy in advance, before submitting your documents.

Transportation: subway, trains, and taxis

Public transportation in Korea is better developed than in most European countries, and it will cost you less than taxis. The Seoul subway runs until midnight, KTX high-speed trains connect major cities, and buses reach small villages.

The base subway fare with a T-money card is 1,550 KRW for the first 10 km; a single-use ticket costs 100 KRW more (as of 09/2026, The Korea Times). You can buy the card at CU, GS25, or 7-Eleven stores and top it up there.

Taxis are convenient in the evening, but nighttime fares are higher. For intercity travel, book trains and buses on Trip.com in advance.

AIIllustrative image: AI-generated

Internet and mobile connectivity

There are no problems with internet: free Wi-Fi is available in the subway, at train stations, airports, and in almost every coffee shop. Speeds are high, and video calls don't drop.

For mobile service, get an eSIM or a local SIM from KT, SK, or LG. For a short trip, an eSIM for South Korea is easier: no need to visit a store or sign a contract. Local carrier plans cost several tens of thousands of won per month.

Housing: prices and deposits

Housing is the biggest expense in Korea. A room in Seoul costs from a few hundred euros per month, and you'll almost always have to put down a deposit.

Many landlords ask for several months' rent as a deposit. Look for housing in advance and check the neighborhood: the center is more expensive, while the outskirts are cheaper and quieter.

For the first few weeks, while you search for a long-term rental, it's convenient to book hotels in Seoul on Trip.com.

Food and groceries

Eating lunch at a chain eatery is cheaper than in Europe. A cup of coffee at a regular coffee shop costs a few thousand won, and a McDonald's lunch isn't much more.

Groceries at supermarkets are inexpensive: rice, vegetables, and chicken will cost you a modest amount. Imported cheese and wine are expensive, so dairy products are better bought local.

© Basile Morin · CC BY-SAPhoto: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Korean cuisine is spicy, but every menu has neutral dishes. Large cities have plenty of international restaurants, so you won't be stuck without familiar food.

What to see between deadlines

Work doesn't take up all your time, and you're better off spending weekends outside your apartment. In Seoul, it's fun to visit filming locations from popular series, including Squid Game.

South of the peninsula lies Jeju Island. It has tropical beaches, fishing villages, houses with thatched roofs, and stone statues called hareubang.

Jeju is great for hiking: marked trails run along the coast and up the slopes. Come on a weekday to avoid the lines on popular routes.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much do you need to earn for a digital nomad visa?

The threshold is tied to gross national income per capita: 52,416,000 KRW for 2026. For ages 18 to 34 in the capital region, you need one and a half times that amount; outside it, one times. After 35, the bar is higher. A family raises the requirement. Calculate exact amounts using the visa portal thresholds.

Can you work for Korean companies on this visa?

No. F-1-D status allows remote work only for a foreign employer or your own foreign business. Income from Korean clients is prohibited and requires a different visa. If you're planning to have clients in Korea, check your situation with an immigration lawyer in advance.

What insurance do you need for the visa?

You need a medical policy with high coverage, including treatment and repatriation. You can compare insurance options through a matching service, but get the policy before submitting your documents.

What kind of climate awaits you in Korea?

Winters are cold and dry, summers are hot and humid. Spring and autumn are the mildest, with little rain and comfortable conditions for working all day (Seoul climate data).

How much does a subway ride cost?

With a T-money card, a trip is cheaper than a single-use ticket; the base fare is listed in the transport section. The fare was raised on June 28, 2025 (fare news).

In short: what to book

South Korea suits remote workers with a verified income and a housing budget. If you have a stable contract with a foreign company, start with an F-1-D visa and health insurance.

If your contract is long term: apply for the visa and rent housing in advance. If you are going for a couple of weeks: K-ETA, an eSIM, and a hotel downtown will be enough. Book your South Korea tickets on Kiwi.com in advance.