Move to South Korea

Hyper-connected cities, late-night food culture and mountains on every horizon

South Korea has a dedicated digital nomad (workation) visa, F-1-D, which became a permanent programme on 30 June 2026, with stays of up to 3 years and lower income thresholds for young people and those living outside the Seoul capital area. Short visits are visa-free for many nationalities, with K-ETA required unless your country is on the temporary exemption list (valid until 31 December 2026).

Routes we checked: 2
Digital nomad visa: Yes
Language: Korean
Currency: KRW
Last checked: 30 October 2026

Digital nomad visa Student visa

Ways to live in South Korea

These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.

Programme details are shown in English.

Digital nomad visa Digital nomad visas →

Digital Nomad (Workation) Visa F-1-D

For people working remotely for foreign companies who want to live in Korea. A permanent programme since 30 June 2026, with stays of up to 3 years.

What you need: Annual income of at least about 104.8 million won (twice Korea's average income per person); lower for applicants aged 18–34 living outside the Seoul area, from about 52.4 million won (about $3,120 a month). Also: 1+ year of work in the same field, a foreign employer only, health insurance and an apostilled clean criminal record.
Income: from about $6,240 a month
How long: Granted for 1 year, extendable in 1-year steps up to 3 years in total
Renewable: Yes
Cost: Consular fee, depends on the country (e.g. 121.50 Canadian dollars in Canada)
Processing time: About 10 business days (embassy in Canada)
How to apply: At a Korean embassy or consulate in your country of residence; register as a foreigner within 90 days of arrival
Family: Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence: No direct path to permanent residence.
Tax: Korean tax residency starts after 183 days in the country

Official page

Student visa Student visas →

Student visa (D-2)

For degree students (associate to doctorate), research, exchange and visiting students at Korean universities.

What you need: Certificate of Admission from the Korean university, a copy of the university's business registration, and proof of funds such as bank statements or a scholarship. The required balance differs between embassies.
How long: Initial stay up to 2 years, matching the admission period; register for an alien registration card within 90 days of arrival
Renewable: Yes
Processing time: about 10 working days
How to apply: At the Korean embassy or consulate where you live, by appointment
Family: Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence: Graduates can switch to job-seeking or work visas

Official page

Cost of living

Monthly amounts in US dollars.

Room in a shared flat	$200
One-bedroom flat	$360
Two-bedroom flat	$900
Bills	$100
Typical local salary	$2,920

Cities to consider

Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.

What life is like

Programme details are shown in English.

Why people move

Seoul mixes palaces, cafe streets and nonstop nightlife with hiking trails inside the city. Busan adds beaches and seafood. Food is a social ritual, from barbecue to market stalls, and everything feels efficient.

Day to day

High-speed trains link major cities in a few hours, and metro systems are excellent. Hospitals are modern and quick to see patients. Internet is among the fastest anywhere, though many apps and services expect a local ID and Korean.

Trade-offs

Work culture is intense and hierarchical. Spring dust and fine-particle pollution are a regular issue. Outside Seoul, English is limited and foreign cards do not work on every local platform.

Before you move: visa-free entry

Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:

Visa rules for every passport

Questions

Does South Korea have a digital nomad visa?

Yes. South Korea offers: Digital Nomad (Workation) Visa F-1-D.

How can I move to South Korea?

The routes we have checked are: Digital nomad visa, Student visa.

When was this information checked?

The residence routes for South Korea were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

Sources and last check

Residence routes for South Korea were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.