South Korea digital nomad visa: Complete guide for UK expats

If you have the kind of job that can be done anywhere with an internet connection, you can explore the world as a digital nomad - working as you travel.

If you’ve always wanted to spend some time in South Korea, you’ll be pleased to know that it has a special digital nomad visa. This will let you live and work remotely in the country for up to a year.

You can see the bright lights of Seoul, flip open your laptop on a beach in Busan or take some time out to explore nature on Jeju Island.

In this guide, we’ll give you the lowdown on the digital nomad visa for South Korea. This includes how it works, how much it costs, eligibility requirements, the documents you’ll need and the steps to apply.

South Korea digital nomad visa: requirements and eligibility

South Korea is one of many countries which has a digital nomad visa. It’s called the F-1-D ‘Workation’ (Digital Nomad) visa.

With this multi-entry visa, eligible foreign nationals can legally live in South Korea and work remotely for an overseas client or employer for a year, with the option to renew once for a further year.¹

You can also bring family members with you on this visa, such as your spouse and/or dependent children.¹

To meet the South Korea digital nomad visa requirements, you’ll need to meet a minimum income requirement of £57,500 (before tax) a year. You’ll also need to be at least 18 years old, have at least** 1 year of work experience** in the same industry back in the UK and a health insurance policy covering the duration of your stay.²

How much does it cost?

The South Korea digital nomad visa costs €225 EUR (approx. £198 GBP) in application fees.³ There’s also a further service fee of €60 EUR (approx. £52.80 GBP) to be paid for the visa application centre to process your application.²

Aside from the upfront application fees, there may be other costs to factor in. For example, the cost of getting travel/health insurance, getting a police certificate or having documents translated.

What documents do you need?

You’ll need the following documents to apply for a digital nomad visa for South Korea:²

• A completed application form
• A valid passport with at least 6 months remaining
• One 3.5cm x 4.5cm photograph of yourself, taken within the last 6 months
• A document or certificate from your employer proving that you have at least 1 year experience working in your industry, and confirming that you can work remotely
• Proof of income - such as pay slips from the last 12 months
• Bank statements from the last 3 months
• An ACRO Police Certificate issued within the last 6 months
• Proof of a health insurance policy covering medical treatment, hospitalisation and repatriation, covering a duration of 1 year and with a minimum of €70,000 EUR cover.
• Proof of visa and service fee payment

How to apply for the digital nomad visa for South Korea

To apply for the digital nomad visa for South Korea from the UK, you’ll need to submit your application by post to the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) in London.

Here’s how to do it:⁴

1. Check your eligibility - in particular, that you’re able to meet the minimum income requirement
2. Get your documents together - this includes taking out a health insurance policy and requesting a police certificate
3. Download the application form - print it out and complete it, making sure to glue your photograph where indicated. You can get more information on how to complete your application on the KVAC website.
4. Post your completed application form and supporting documents (including your passport) using a secure postal service to: Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) London, Heron House, 10 Dean Farrar St, London SW1H 0DX. Make sure to write your name, address, and visa category on the envelope.
5. Just before posting your application, you’ll need to pay the application fee. This is done by bank transfer, so you’ll need to check the fees for sending money abroad with your bank. You’ll find the account details here.
6. Once the payment is complete, email KVAC London at kvacukinfo@iom.int with proof of payment.
7. Wait for your application to be processed - you can check the status of it on the Korea Visa Portal website.
8. If your visa is approved, you’ll need to collect it from the Consulate or arrange for it to be posted to you.

While you’re waiting for your visa to be issued, you can get on with other important pre-move preparations. For example, starting an application to open a South Korean bank account or ordering South Korean won (KRW) for your first few days in Korea.

📚Cash or card in South Korea?

How long can you stay in South Korea as a digital nomad?

The digital nomad visa for South Korea lets you stay in the country for up to 1 year, with the option to renew for 1 further year. This means a total stay of up to 2 years.¹

Taxes for digital nomads in South Korea

While you’re living and working in South Korea as a digital nomad, you may need to pay taxes on your income.

There’s no specific South Korea digital nomad visa tax, just income tax rules that apply to anyone considered a tax resident of the country.

If you stay in South Korea for more than 183 days, you may be deemed to be a tax resident. This means that your worldwide income can be subject to income tax.⁵ It’s likely that this will happen if you take advantage of the full 1-2 year stay the digital nomad visa offers.

There’s also the issue of what income taxes are due in the UK, and the need to avoid paying tax twice on the same income. If you’re starting a business in South Korea, you’ll also need to read up on corporate taxes there.

Tax between countries can be really complicated, so it’s best to get professional advice to make sure you understand your obligations.

📚Can you keep UK bank account when moving abroad?

Save on your relocation costs with Wise

That’s everything you need to know about the digital nomad visa in South Korea. Make sure you check for any updates to the application process or the requirements ahead of applying.

Before moving to South Korea, you’re likely to have lots of costs to cover. Some of these, such as real estate costs, visa application fees and rental deposits, will need to cross borders and can get expensive because of the transfer fees and exchange rate markups.

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FAQs

Is it possible to extend the South Korea digital nomad visa?

Yes, you can apply to renew your South Korea digital nomad visa once. This gives you an additional 12 months, and a total stay of 2 years.¹

Does a South Korea digital nomad visa lead to citizenship?

No, the South Korea digital nomad visa is temporary and doesn’t offer any direct route to citizenship.

If you want to move there permanently and explore routes to citizenship, you’ll need to be eligible for a different, long-term visa, such as a skilled work or residence pathway.

How long does it take to get a digital nomad visa for South Korea?

It typically takes around 3 weeks for visa applications to be processed via KVAC London, but it can take longer during peak seasons and other busy periods.⁴

Sources used:

1. Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the UK - eligibility and requirements of the F-1-D ‘Workation’ visa
2. Visa for Korea- documents needed
3. Visa for Korea - visa fees
4. Visa for Korea - application process and typical processing time
5. Bright Tax - tax residency information

Sources last checked on date: 11-Nov-2025