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F-1-D Visa

F-1-D Digital Nomad Visa Korea

Complete guide to Korea's F-1-D Digital Nomad (Work-cation) Visa.

The Korea F-1-D digital nomad (workation) visa lets foreigners aged 18 or over who own an overseas business or work for an overseas company remotely, with 1+ year in the same field, stay and work in Korea with their family; 1 year is granted first and it can be extended 1 year at a time up to 3 years. The income requirement is based on the previous year's per-capita GNI — 1.5 times for ages 18 to 34 and 2 times for 35 and over — and is relaxed if you stay outside the capital region or in depopulation areas, and private medical insurance with at least KRW 100 million of cover is required. As an F-1-D visa agent, Vision Administrative Office handles the income check, documents, in-country change of status and extensions.

Korea F-1-D digital nomad visa services — what Vision Administrative Office handles

Choose your situation

At a glance

Who it is forForeigners aged 18+ who own an overseas business or work remotely for an overseas company with 1+ year in the same field, and their spouse and minor children
RequirementsIncome vs previous-year per-capita GNI: ages 18–34 1.5×, 35+ 2× (1× and 1.5× if staying outside the capital region or in depopulation areas); private medical insurance with KRW 100 million+ cover; criminal record certificate
ProcessVisa at a Korean embassy, or change of status in Korea while on B-1, B-2 or C-3 → 1-year stay → extensions of 1 year at a time up to 3 years
DocumentsApplication, passport, photo, certificate of employment showing 1+ year in the same field, payslips or bank balance as proof of income, criminal record, medical insurance certificate, family documents (if accompanied), proof of stay outside the capital region (if applicable)
Processing time1 year first, then 1-year extensions up to 3 years. Processing time depends on the embassy or immigration office

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F-1-D · Digital Nomad

F-1-D Digital Nomad Visa
Korea Work-cation Visa — Remote Work in Korea

1. Visa Overview

The F-1-D (Digital Nomad / Work-cation) visa is a residence status for overseas business owners and employees of overseas companies who can work remotely and have worked in the same industry for at least 1 year, together with their family. It allows them to live in Korea while continuing remote work for their overseas employers. It does NOT allow employment with Korean companies.

ItemDetails
StatusF-1-D (Visiting/Cohabiting, F-1 category)
Duration1 year per grant; extension 1 year at a time, up to 3 years in total
EmployerMust be a non-Korean company
Work TypeRemote work only (no Korean employer)
Minimum Age18 years or older

2. Eligibility

  • ✓Owner of an overseas business or employee of an overseas company, with at least 1 year in the same industry
  • ✓Able to work remotely
  • ✓Annual income of at least 1x to 2x the previous year's GNI per capita, depending on age and area of stay
  • ✓Criminal record certificate submitted (exemptions apply)
  • ✓Private medical insurance covering KRW 100 million or more for hospital treatment and repatriation
  • ✓Age 18 or older

3. Income Requirements

The F-1-D requires proof of stable overseas income. The standard is based on the previous year's GNI per capita announced by the Bank of Korea, and differs by age and area of stay:

GNI x 1 to x 2 per year
Seoul metropolitan area: ages 18–34 GNI x 1.5, ages 35 and over GNI x 2. Non-capital and population-decline (watch) areas: ages 18–34 GNI x 1, ages 35 and over GNI x 1.5. When accompanied by family in the Seoul metropolitan area, GNI x 2 applies regardless of age (GNI x 1.5 in non-capital areas). Income is proven with payslips, balance certificates and similar documents.

4. Required Documents

#DocumentSource
1Visa application form (Annex 34)Immigration office
2Valid passportPersonal
3Certificate of employment (proof of 1+ year in the same industry)Overseas employer
4Income documents (payslips, balance certificate, etc.)Employer / Bank
5Criminal record certificateAuthority of your country (apostille or consular confirmation)
6Medical insurance certificateInsurance provider
7Application feeImmigration

5. Application Process

  1. 1
    Prepare Documents
    Gather the certificate of employment, income documents, criminal record certificate, and medical insurance certificate.
  2. 2
    Apply
    Apply for the visa at a Korean consulate abroad, or apply for a change of status at the Immigration Office if already in Korea (mainly from B-1, B-2 or C-3).
  3. 3
    Review
    Immigration reviews documents. Respond promptly to any supplemental requests.
  4. 4
    Issuance
    Receive F-1-D visa or residence card. Valid for up to 1 year.

6. Important Notes

  • ●
    No Korean Employment
    F-1-D is for remote work for an overseas employer; working for a Korean company is outside the scope of the status.
  • ●
    Renewal
    Must prove continued overseas employment and the income requirement at extension. If the income requirement was relaxed for a non-capital stay, actual stay in that area is checked.
  • ●
    Family
    Family (spouse and minor children) may accompany; family relationship documents are required.
  • ●
    Tax
    Korea taxes Korean-source income. Consult a tax professional about obligations.

7. FAQ

Q. Can I work for a Korean company on F-1-D?
A. No. F-1-D only allows remote work for non-Korean employers. Working for a Korean company requires a work visa (e.g., E-7).
Q. Can freelancers apply?
A. Overseas business owners who can work remotely and have worked in the same industry for at least 1 year can apply if they meet the income requirement. Please check your individual situation with the immigration office.
Q. Can my spouse join me?
A. Yes. Your spouse and minor children may accompany you; family relationship documents are required.
Q. How long does approval take?
A. Processing time varies depending on the competent Immigration Office.
Q. Can I renew F-1-D?
A. Yes. Extension is granted 1 year at a time, up to 3 years in total, with proof of continued overseas employment and the income requirement.
Q. How do I apply for the Korea F-1-D digital nomad visa?
A. Prepare the application form, valid passport, certificate of employment showing at least 1 year in the same industry, income documents, criminal record certificate, medical insurance certificate covering KRW 100 million or more, and the fee. Then apply for the visa at a Korean consulate abroad, or, if you are already in Korea, file a change of status at the immigration office (mainly from B-1, B-2 or C-3). The income test is a multiple of the previous year's GNI per capita that depends on age and area of stay, and the immigration office may ask for supplementary documents.

Questions by situation

Each answer starts with the conclusion, then who it applies to, the documents and the timing. Jump here from “Choose your situation” above.

What are the requirements for the Korea digital nomad visa (F-1-D)?

It is for foreigners aged 18 or over who own an overseas business or belong to an overseas company and can work remotely, with 1+ year in the same field, and their family can apply too. Income is compared with the previous year's per-capita GNI announced by the Bank of Korea as of the application date: at least 1.5 times for ages 18 to 34 and 2 times for 35 and over. Private medical insurance covering treatment and repatriation with at least KRW 100 million of cover is also required.

What documents do I need for the Korea F-1-D digital nomad visa?

Prepare the application, passport and photo, a certificate of employment showing 1+ year in the same field, income proof such as payslips or bank balance certificates, a criminal record certificate and a medical insurance certificate. If family accompany you, add family relationship documents; if you will stay outside the capital region or in a depopulation area, submit a lease of 1+ month or a booking confirmation for a workation facility or accommodation. Foreign documents need the original plus a notarized translation.

I am in Korea as a tourist — can I change to F-1-D without leaving?

Foreigners staying on a short-term status (B-1, B-2, C-3) can apply in Korea to change to F-1-D if they meet the requirements, and holders of other statuses can also change if eligible. A 1-year stay is granted on approval. The criminal record certificate must be issued within 6 months of the application and carry consular legalization or an apostille.

Is the F-1-D income requirement lower if I stay outside Seoul?

Yes. If you stay outside the capital region (Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi) or in a depopulation area, the requirement drops to 1× GNI for ages 18 to 34 and 1.5× GNI for 35 and over. You must submit a lease of 1+ month or a booking confirmation for a workation facility selected by the Korea Tourism Organization or accommodation, in your own name if registered outside the capital region. If you move to the capital region after receiving the relaxed rule, the extension grants only 6 months on condition that you meet the capital-region standard or move back.

Can my spouse and children come with me on an F-1-D visa, and does the income rule change?

Your spouse and minor children can apply with you, and the age-18 requirement does not apply to accompanying children. If you bring family to the capital region, 2× GNI applies regardless of age; outside the capital region or in a depopulation area, 1.5× GNI applies. Prepare family relationship documents, with an apostille or consular legalization for foreign documents.

Which country's criminal record certificate do I submit for F-1-D?

Submit one from your country of nationality, and also from any third country where you lived continuously for 1+ year within the last 5 years. People under 14, and those who submitted it for the visa and apply for an in-country change within 3 months of visa issuance, are exempt, among others. It must be issued within 6 months of the application date, with the original and a notarized translation.

What kind of medical insurance do I need for the Korea F-1-D visa?

You need private medical insurance covering hospital treatment and repatriation with at least KRW 100 million of cover, and you submit the certificate of enrolment. Check the policy wording first to confirm the scope and amount meet the standard. The insurance certificate is submitted again at each extension.

How long can I extend the Korea F-1-D digital nomad visa?

If you keep your employment with the overseas company and still meet the visa standards such as the income requirement, you can extend 1 year at a time up to 3 years. If you received the regional relaxation, whether you actually stayed in that region is checked. Before your period ends, apply with the certificate of employment, income documents, criminal record and insurance certificate.

What happens if I leave my overseas employer while on F-1-D?

If you lose your job after entry, you are not required to report it or leave immediately, but you cannot extend your stay. Within the remaining period, check whether you meet another status or plan your departure. If you sign with a new overseas employer, the 1+ year in the same field requirement is checked again.

Do I apply for the digital nomad visa at a Korean embassy or in Korea?

You can apply for the F-1-D visa at a Korean embassy or consulate, in which case a multiple-entry visa valid for 1 year is issued. If you are already in Korea on a short-term status, you can apply for a change of status in Korea. The income, insurance and criminal record standards are the same either way, so prepare documents before you travel.

Key terms

Digital nomad visa (F-1-D, 디지털노마드·워케이션)
A visiting-family-type status that lets remote workers for overseas companies stay and work in Korea.
Per-capita GNI (1인당 국민총소득)
The previous year's per-capita income announced by the Bank of Korea, used as the F-1-D income benchmark.
Depopulation area (인구감소(관심)지역)
Areas designated for population decline; staying there relaxes the F-1-D income rule.
Workation facility (워케이션 특화시설)
Work-and-rest spaces for workation selected by the Korea Tourism Organization.
Private medical insurance (KRW 100 million+ cover)
Mandatory F-1-D insurance covering hospital treatment and repatriation.
Notarized translation (공증 번역본)
A translation of a foreign document with the translator's details and ID copy attached, notarized.

About our office

Office
Vision Administrative Office (비전행정사사무소 · VISAS KOREA)
Principal
Alex Lee (이원중), licensed administrative agent (행정사)
Licence
Administrative agent (행정사) — preparing immigration and residence filings and submitting them on the client’s behalf with written authorization (위임장)
Scope
Korean visas (visa issuance certificate, change of status, extension), permanent residency (F-5), foreign-invested company, branch and liaison office setup, immigration violation review and entry-ban response
Languages
Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese
Address
3F Sungwoo Bldg, 324 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul 04614, Korea
Phone
+82-2-363-2251
Hours
Weekdays 09:30–17:30 (KST)

Who hires us for this

  • Employees of overseas companies who want to work remotely from Korea
  • Owners of overseas businesses planning a long stay in Korea
  • Families planning to live in a Korean regional city with spouse and children
  • Foreigners who entered as tourists and want to change to F-1-D
  • F-1-D holders weighing an extension together with a change of residence

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