South Korean Digital Nomad Visa: All You Need to Know

About South Korean Digital Nomad Visa

South Korea unveiled its innovative digital nomad visa on January 1, 2024 that allows working professionals to stay in South Korea for up to 1 year. The visa invites people who meet the eligibility criteria set by the South Korean government. Under the theme of 'Visit Korea', the move is expected to attract many location-independent talents as well as establish Seoul as a prominent metropolitan city in the world.

You can get this workation visa for South Korea further extended for a maximum of 1 year. However, this is the maximum duration of stay allowed on a digital nomad visa for Korea. Earlier, visitors needed a tourist visa to work and travel in South Korea but the stay was limited to 90 days.

This digital visa for South Korea is also eligible for families, including spouses and dependent children. Before we get into more details, let us understand a little more about how a digital nomad visa works.

What Is a Digital Nomad Visa?

Travelling is among the best experiences anyone can get. Sadly, our busy lives and careers can often make it harder if we want a longer vacation or want to have a more immersive stay in a country. Let's face it, even a week or two in another country is not enough to explore its full potential!

Here comes the 'workation' visas into the picture. Digital nomad visas are a recent addition to visa types allowing talented professionals to work digitally while residing in another country. It lets these digitally working professional nomads travel freely without affecting their work.

Especially after the pandemic, global travel trends have been leaning towards long-term vacations without compromising work. A huge number of companies have made remote work their norm. They don't have any qualms with their employees travelling across another city or continent as long as they keep up the good work. For such professionals who also wish to experience another culture, a digital nomad visa is a great way to keep working while residing long term in a country they wish to explore.

South Korea Digital Nomad Visa: Key Features

Here are some key points for overseas remote workers considering their workation in South Korea:

• Available for applicants aged 18 years or more
• The maximum duration of South Korean digital nomad visa is 1 year from the date of entry
• Only applicable for visitors who work for a non-South Korean company
• Allows dependents of the visa-holder as well
• Open to applicants with a minimum annual income of 84.96 million won
• Entire application process can be completed in a month
• Digital nomads must have a private travel health insurance policy with a coverage of at least 100 million won
• 1 year visa extension available
• Digital nomad application requires a valid South Korean address

A year is a long time in a foreign country and a lot can happen during this time. From minor accidents to legal emergencies, you must prepare for a lot of scenarios. With travel insurance for South Korea, you can cover your entire stay and enjoy your workation without any stress.

Documents Needed for South Korean Digital Nomad Visa

As the visa has been only recently rolled out, there can be additional changes in the near future. As of now, these are the required documents for South Korea workation visa:

• Visa request form
• Valid Indian passport
• Passport pictures clicked recently
• Proof of employment
• Pay slip
• Bank statements to fulfil minimum income limit
• Criminal record (with a clear record and no previous convictions)
• Proof of travel medical insurance with a coverage of minimum 100 million won.
• Proof of accommodation in South Korea

What do you need for a South Korea Workation Visa?

The land of morning calm is among the top destinations for travellers, students, and working professionals who want to explore this country's untapped potential. Here are the requirements you must meet to apply for Korean digital nomad visa:

• You must be at least 18 years old or above.
• You can only apply for this visa if a foreign company employs you. A South Korean company can't employ you. Freelancers can apply for this visa as long as they meet the other requirements.
• You must have at least 1 year of uninterrupted work-experience in your field.
• Your annual income must be minimum 84.96 million won, the double of South Korean gross national income per capita.

It is important to note that you can't take up any work or be employed in South Korea. You must apply for a separate work visa to do so. Only people who meet the above-mentioned criteria are eligible for this visa.

In a Nutshell,

Digital nomad visas are a great way to revitalise the local economy and boost tourism. It is truly a perfect visa for working professionals who wish to take their time exploring a place while immersing themselves in that country's local culture. South Korea is a diverse country with a rich history.

Now that you know everything needed for this visa, make sure to prepare well for your move. Lastly, do not forget to buy travel insurance for South Korea to have a worry-free time there. It is among the necessary requirements for your digital nomad visa application without which you won't be eligible for the visa. It will also keep you financially safe from many medical and non-medical emergencies, so take your time picking a good plan!