Seoul, December 29 – In a bid to attract remote workers and boost its local economy, the South Korean government has announced the launch of a “workation” visa, allowing foreigners to traverse the country while working remotely. This initiative, officially known as the “digital nomad” or “workation” visa, will kick off as a pilot program starting January 1, according to officials from the justice ministry.
To qualify for the visa, applicants must possess over a year of work experience in the same industry and be eligible for remote work, along with their families. As part of the eligibility criteria, applicants are required to have an annual income double South Korea’s per capita gross national income (GNI), which stood at 42.48 million won (US$33,002) last year. Additionally, applicants must have medical insurance covering medical treatment and repatriation fees exceeding 100 million won.
However, those entering the country under this visa are prohibited from engaging in any profit-making activities or seeking employment during their stay. The “workation” visa, initially valid for one year, can be renewed for up to two years. Interested individuals can apply for the visa at South Korean embassies, and current residents holding a temporary visa are also eligible if they meet the specified requirements.
The justice ministry anticipates that the introduction of workation visas will invigorate the local economy and offer an opportunity to showcase the country’s scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage. This initiative is a departure from previous regulations, where foreigners wanting to work remotely had to obtain tourist visas or were limited to a 90-day stay without a visa.
