South Korea's F-1-D Workation Visa is a digital nomad visa that lets foreign nationals employed by or running businesses outside South Korea live in the country while working remotely. It falls under residence status F-1-D within the broader F-1 (Visiting/Family Stay) category and is administered by the Ministry of Justice through the Korea Immigration Service. The program first ran as a pilot from 1 January 2024 and, after a review, became a permanent official program on 30 June 2026 — with eased eligibility (a tiered income requirement) and a longer maximum stay of up to 3 years. It targets remote workers and overseas business owners who earn their income from foreign sources and want to experience life in South Korea.
The visa is granted in 1-year increments from the date of entry, with multiple entries permitted. Holders may apply for extensions at a regional immigration office in Korea, up to a maximum total stay of 3 years (raised from 2 years when the program became permanent on 30 June 2026). Full documentation must be resubmitted for each extension. If employment ends after arrival, extension is not available and the holder must depart by the expiration date.
Legal spouses and unmarried children under 18 may accompany the primary applicant on the same F-1-D visa category. Each family member requires a separate application with their own passport, photograph, and individual medical insurance meeting the KRW 100 million coverage threshold. Family relationships must be proven with official marriage certificates (for spouses) or birth certificates (for children), including notarised English translations and apostille authentication. Working spouses must also provide a company letter from their employer, and school-age children must provide a school enrolment letter. No additional income requirement applies to dependants. Children under 14 are exempt from the criminal background check. Dependants are subject to the same employment restrictions as the primary holder.
Employment within South Korea and profit-making activities in the country are strictly prohibited. Holders may only work remotely for overseas employers or their own overseas businesses. Violations are punishable under the Immigration Control Act, which may include fines, detention, and deportation.
Tax liability is determined by physical presence, not visa type. Individuals present in Korea for 183 or more days in a tax year are classified as tax residents. Foreign tax residents whose cumulative period of residence in Korea is five years or less within the preceding ten-year period are taxed only on Korean-sourced income and on foreign income paid in or remitted to Korea. Bilateral double taxation avoidance agreements may apply.
Applications are submitted at the Korean embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over the applicant's place of residence. Many consulates require an appointment booked in advance; some also accept mail-in applications. Processing takes roughly 10 to 15 days at most consulates, though some report 3 to 4 weeks, and no expedited processing is available. The visa is issued electronically as a multiple-entry visa with no physical sticker in the passport. Application fees vary by nationality: USD 45 for US citizens, CAD 121.50 for Canadian applicants, and standard Korean visa rates for other nationalities.
Foreign nationals already in South Korea on short-term visas (B-1, B-2, or C-3) may apply for a status change to F-1-D at a regional immigration office without leaving the country.
Holders intending to stay more than 91 days must apply for Foreigner Registration at a local immigration office within 90 days of arrival. Registration provides an Alien Registration Card (ARC), which enables access to Korean banking services, mobile phone subscriptions, delivery services, and a faster immigration lane at airports. Any change of address must be reported within 14 days. Foreigners staying more than 6 months become subject to mandatory enrollment in Korea's National Health Insurance system.
The F-1-D visa does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship. The maximum stay is 3 years, and time on this visa does not count toward permanent residence eligibility.