Korea's Digital Nomad (Workation) Visa Is Now Official: Lower Income Bar, Up to 3 Years

Dreaming of working remotely from Seoul, Busan, or a quiet coastal town in Korea? It just got easier. Korea's Ministry of Justice has moved its Digital Nomad (Workation) visa from pilot to full, official operation as of June 30, 2026. The biggest wins: a lower income requirement for younger applicants and those staying outside the capital area, and a maximum stay extended to three years. Here's what you need to know.

What is the Digital Nomad (Workation) visa?

"Digital nomad" combines digital and nomad — someone who works remotely without being tied to one place. "Workation" blends work and vacation. The visa lets eligible foreign nationals live in Korea while working remotely for an overseas employer. It's aimed at foreign nationals aged 18+ employed by an overseas company, able to work remotely (with at least one year in the same industry), and their accompanying family members.

What changed — two key updates

1) A lower income bar (roughly halved for young / regional applicants)

Previously, everyone had to prove income of 2× Korea's per-capita GNI (2025 GNI ≈ KRW 52.41 million, so 2× ≈ KRW 104.8 million, roughly US$76,000). Now, if you're (1) younger or (2) staying in a non-capital or population-decline region, the threshold eases to 1–2× GNI.

💡 Example: A foreign national aged 18–34 doing a workation in a non-capital region needs only 1× GNI (about KRW 52.41 million, roughly US$38,000) — about half the previous bar.

2) Maximum stay extended from 2 to 3 years

The previous cap was two years (one year plus a one-year extension). Now you can stay up to three years. Korea hopes longer stays will encourage talented remote workers to experience the country, spend locally, and potentially settle — boosting regional and domestic economies.

Quick comparison

Item	Pilot (before)	Official (from Jun 30, 2026)
Income requirement	2× GNI, regardless of age/region	1–2× GNI for younger / non-capital applicants
Maximum stay	2 years	3 years
Who	Remote workers aged 18+ employed by an overseas company, plus family

Who's using it now?

During the pilot (Jan 2024–May 2026), 743 visas were issued. As of May 2026, 398 holders were residing in Korea — 70% from OECD countries, 85% in the greater Seoul area, and mostly in their 30s (52%) and 40s (19%). The new easing for "younger / non-capital" applicants is partly meant to spread demand beyond the capital region.

How does Korea compare?

Among the 38 OECD member countries, 8+ run digital nomad visas, and Germany, Spain, and Greece allow stays of up to three years — the level Korea now matches.

How to apply

Applications and detailed requirements are handled through HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr), Korea's official immigration portal. You'll generally need proof of overseas employment, remote-work eligibility, and income meeting the applicable GNI multiple. For questions, contact the Ministry of Justice, Korea Immigration Service (Stay Management Division).

FAQ

Who can get Korea's digital nomad visa?

Foreign nationals aged 18+ employed by an overseas company, able to work remotely (1+ year in the same industry), plus accompanying family.

How much income do I need to prove?

Generally 2× per-capita GNI, but 1× GNI (about KRW 52.41 million) if you're aged 18–34 doing a workation in a non-capital region.

How long can I stay in Korea?

Up to three years (extended from two).

When did the official visa start?

It has been in full operation since June 30, 2026.

This article is based on a Korea Ministry of Justice press release (July 7, 2026) and Korean media coverage. USD figures are rough approximations that vary with exchange rates. Requirements and procedures may change — confirm details on HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) before applying. (Last verified: July 2026.)