On the first day of this year, South Korea introduced digital nomad visa, allowing people from other countries to live and work remotely while exploring South Korea. The announcement came from the Korean Ministry of Justice, and the “workcation” visa officially started on January 1, 2024.
With this new visa, foreigners can do their remote job from South Korea for a whole year. After that, they can even ask for one more year. The idea is to make it easier for people who want to work and take a break in South Korea at the same time. The government believes this will encourage longer visits from workers and companies around the world, making the work environment more flexible and inviting them to discover South Korea.
Unlike before, where remote workers had to rely on short-term tourist visas, this new system offers a more extended period for digital nomads. This change allows people to stay in South Korea for a more extended time, giving a boost to a flexible way of working and motivating them to explore the country.
Here’s what you need to know if you want to get the digital nomad visa in South Korea:
- The new visa lets foreigners work from South Korea for up to two years.
- It also allows them to bring their family along.
- If you want this visa, you need to be over 18 and have worked in your current job for at least a year.
- You must prove that you make about $65,860 per year.
- Digital nomad visa applicants also need to show they don’t have a criminal record and confirm where they work. They also need to have travel health insurance.
- If you’re already in South Korea and meet all the requirements, you can still apply for the digital nomad visa.
- But remember, this visa doesn’t let you look for a job in South Korea; for that, you need a work visa.
- South Korean embassies in other countries will handle the applications for the digital nomad visa.
The new visa idea will be tested, and after that, the authorities will decide if they want to keep it.
