Korea Digital Nomad Visa (F-1-D) Eligibility Check 2024 pilot · 2026 thresholds
Check if you qualify for Korea's F-1-D digital nomad visa in 30 seconds. Covers income (₩88.1M), insurance (₩100M), age, employment, and family — plus alternatives if you don't qualify.
F-1-D requirements at a glance
- Age: 18 or older.
- Income: ≥ ₩88,100,000/year (≈ USD 66,000) from foreign sources, demonstrated for the prior 12 months.
- Income source: Foreign company employment OR self-employment with non-Korean clients. Korean-source income does not qualify.
- Health insurance: Private coverage of at least ₩100,000,000 (≈ USD 75,000).
- Background check: No major criminal convictions; FBI/ACRO-equivalent clearance required at application.
- Stay length: 1 year initially, renewable for 1 more year (2 years total maximum).
- Family: Spouse + unmarried minor children can accompany on F-3 dependent visas (additional income headroom expected).
If you don't qualify, alternatives
- D-7 (Intra-company transfer): Employed by a foreign company's Korean office for 1+ year. Cannot be fully remote.
- D-8 (Investor): Minimum ₩100M investment in a Korean business + active operations.
- D-10 (Job seeker): 6-month visa to find Korean employment; convert to E-7 once hired.
- F-2 (Resident, point-system): 5+ years residency on other visas + 80+ qualification points.
- K-ETA + 90-day visa-free: Many countries get 90 days visa-free; not work-authorized but enough for a trial trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the F-1-D digital nomad visa?
F-1-D is Korea's digital nomad visa launched in January 2024 as a pilot program (formally 'Workation Visa'). It allows foreign nationals working remotely for foreign companies — or self-employed serving foreign clients — to live in Korea for up to 1 year, renewable for one more year (2 years total maximum). Applicants must show proof of stable foreign-source income above ₩88.1M annually (about USD 66,000), private health insurance coverage of at least ₩100M, and a clean background check. The visa was designed to attract high-earning remote workers without requiring Korean employer sponsorship.
What's the minimum income required for the F-1-D visa?
Annual income must be at least ₩88,100,000 (approximately USD 66,000 at typical exchange rates). This threshold is set at twice Korea's gross national income per capita (GNI) and is adjusted annually. Income must come from foreign sources — either employment with a non-Korean company or self-employment serving non-Korean clients. Income from Korean companies or Korean-source freelance work does not count toward this threshold. You must provide bank statements, tax returns, or employment contracts demonstrating consistent income at this level for at least the prior 12 months.
Do I need health insurance for the F-1-D visa?
Yes — applicants must have private health insurance with at least ₩100,000,000 (approximately USD 75,000) total coverage. Korean National Health Insurance (NHIS) does not satisfy this requirement on its own because most digital nomads aren't eligible for NHIS during the initial period. Acceptable options include international expat health insurance (Cigna Global, Allianz Care, GeoBlue), travel insurance with high medical limits (SafetyWing Nomad, World Nomads Explorer), or comprehensive home-country plans extended to overseas use. Your insurance certificate must be in English or Korean and explicitly show the coverage amount.
Can my spouse and children come on the F-1-D visa?
Yes — your spouse and unmarried minor children (under 18) can accompany you on F-3 dependent visas. Each dependent must show proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, all apostilled or notarized) and you must demonstrate sufficient income to support the family — Korea Immigration applies a higher informal threshold for family applications, typically expecting +30-50% above the base ₩88.1M for each additional dependent. Children on F-3 can attend Korean schools (public or international) and your spouse can apply for separate work authorization once F-3 is granted, but cannot work without it.
How does F-1-D compare to D-7, D-8, and other long-stay visas?
F-1-D (Digital Nomad) is the easiest path if you have remote foreign income — no Korean employer or business required, no investment threshold. D-7 (Intra-company transfer) requires you to be employed by a foreign company's Korean office for 1+ year; cannot be used for fully-remote workers. D-8 (Investor) requires ₩100M minimum investment in a Korean business + active business operations. F-2 (Resident, point-system) needs 5+ years residency on other visas first plus 80+ points on the qualification matrix. For most independent remote workers and freelancers, F-1-D is the fastest entry point — D-7/D-8 better fit traditional company employees or business founders.
Last updated: 2026-05. Income threshold (₩88.1M) and insurance threshold (₩100M) reflect 2026 Korea Immigration policy. Always verify current requirements at hikorea.go.kr before applying.