South Korea officially launched its digital nomad visa program on June 30, easing eligibility requirements for foreign remote workers. The Ministry of Justice confirmed the F-1-D visa, nicknamed the “workation” visa, replaces stricter pilot program standards. Unlike traditional work visas, this option lets foreign employees stay in Korea while working for overseas companies.
The initiative follows a pilot phase that ran from January 2024 through May 2025. During that period, applicants needed income reaching twice Korea’s previous year’s gross national income per capita. Now, however, officials have introduced tiered thresholds based on applicant age and chosen residence location.
For instance, applicants between 18 and 34 living outside Seoul, Incheon or Gyeonggi Province qualify more easily. These individuals only need income matching the standard GNI per capita rather than double that figure. Korea’s GNI per capita reached $36,963 in 2025, according to the Ministry of Justice.
Additionally, authorities extended the maximum stay period from two years to three years. This change gives remote workers more flexibility while encouraging longer-term engagement with local communities. Furthermore, the relaxed digital nomad visa criteria specifically favor population-declining regions outside the capital area.
Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho explained that officials designed the program to attract global creative talent. He stated the visa aims to help skilled professionals experience South Korea’s cultural and economic appeal. Consequently, the ministry hopes participants will eventually establish deeper roots within the country.
Moreover, this strategy aligns with broader efforts to address regional depopulation and economic decline. By incentivizing remote workers to settle outside Seoul, officials hope to revitalize underserved regions. Meanwhile, the program reflects a growing global trend of countries competing for mobile, skilled labor.
Looking ahead, the success of this digital nomad visa could influence future immigration policy. Officials will likely monitor participation rates and regional economic impact over the coming years. Nevertheless, questions remain regarding long-term integration and sustained population growth in target areas.
