If your idea of the perfect workday is answering emails from a Han River café or brainstorming ideas while surrounded by Seoul’s neon-lit streets, South Korea’s F-1-D Workation Visa, popularly called the Digital
Nomad Visa, could turn that dream into reality.
Launched on January 1, 2024, as a pilot programme, this visa lets foreign professionals live in South Korea for up to two years while working for overseas companies. But there’s a catch: the requirements are strict, the income threshold is high, and not everyone will qualify.
The Basics: How South Korea’s F-1-D Visa Works
The visa is granted for one year initially, with the option to extend for another year, allowing a maximum stay of two years. Processing usually takes 10–15 days, though delays are possible.
Key requirement: You must earn over USD 66,000 a year (about Rs 58 lakh) – roughly double South Korea’s per capita GNI. This ensures the visa is aimed at high-earning professionals and entrepreneurs.
Who Can Apply For South Korea’s Workation Visa?
To be eligible, you must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Have at least one year of experience in your field
- Be employed by a company outside South Korea or run your own overseas business
- Work exclusively remotely (no local jobs or profit-making in Korea)
- Have employer approval to work abroad
- Hold medical insurance covering at least Rs 83 lakh for treatment and repatriation, valid for your stay
Documents for Indian Applicants
You’ll need:
- Completed visa application form with photo
- Passport with 6+ months validity
- Employer letter confirming your role is remote
- Proof of income (salary slips, tax returns, bank statements)
- Indian criminal record certificate (apostilled/notarised)
- Criminal records from other countries lived in for 1+ years in the last 5 years
- Medical insurance meeting the coverage rules
How and Where to Apply For South Korea’s Workation Visa
Indians can apply through South Korean embassies or consulates in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, or Kolkata. Tourists already in Korea can apply at local immigration offices.
Steps:
1. Check your eligibility.
2. Gather and translate/apostille documents.
3. Book an appointment at your nearest consulate.
4. Submit your application with the USD 45 fee.
5. Wait for processing (no express option).
6. Once approved, enter Korea and get an Alien Registration Card within 90 days.
Family and Residency Rules
Spouses and children under 18 can join you with proper documentation. The visa does not lead to permanent residency. Once the two years are up, you must leave or change your visa type.
For high-income Indian remote workers, the F-1-D is more than a visa – it’s a two-year pass to experience K-culture, explore historic cities, and work against a backdrop of mountains, temples, and high-speed tech.
