GUIDE: How to Get a South Korea Digital Nomad Visa in 2026
We can already imagine ourselves working there.
by Meryl Medel | July 10, 2026
Imagine working in a cute and cozy cafe in Seoul during the weekdays, then hopping on the KTX to head to Busan for a weekend beach trip. Soon, this could be your reality with South Korea’s new digital nomad visa. So, whether you’re a fan of K-drama, K-pop, K-beauty, and all K-things or you simply just love to explore new places, read on to find out everything you need to know so far about the new South Korea digital nomad visa:
What is the digital nomad visa, and what can I do with it?
Also known as a workcation visa, the South Korea digital nomad visa is a new visa that was rolled out on 1 January 2024 for foreigners who wish to stay in the country for an extended period while supporting themselves through a remote job back home.
“To make remote work and vacation of foreigners in Korea smoother, we have decided to launch a new digital nomad visa,” the Korean Ministry of Justice said in a statement, citing the rise of the workcation trend.
“So far, foreigners were required to apply for tourist visas or just stay for less than 90 days without a visa for ‘workcation’ in Korea. The new system will allow employees and employers in overseas firms to tour and work remotely in Korea for a longer period of time.”
With a South Korea digital nomad visa, you are allowed to:
- Travel to South Korea and work remotely for a job abroad
- Stay in South Korea for up to 3 years
- Bring your spouse and children under 18
However, it is important to note that this visa does NOT allow you to apply for a job within South Korea.
Who is eligible to apply for a digital nomad visa?
Applicants for the South Korea digital nomad visa must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have at least one year of work experience in their current field
- Have private health insurance with coverage of at least KRW 100 million or about PHP 4.3 million to cover any hospital expense or emergency evacuation to their home country
- Be financially capable of it
How financially capable are we talking about? In 2024, when the digital nomad visa was first announced, it required applicants to have an annual income at least twice South Korea’s gross national income (GNI) per capita for the previous year. That meant 2024 applicants had to have an annual income equal to double South Korea’s 2022 GNI per capita (KRW 42.48 million, or about PHP 1.81 million), which amounted to at least an annual income of PHP 3.62 million pesos.
Beginning June 30, 2026, the eligibility rules for South Korea’s Digital Nomad Visa were eased, allowing more foreign nationals to apply. Individuals with lower income thresholds can now apply for the visa, especially those planning to reside outside the Greater Seoul area, or the regions with declining populations.
Applicants aged 18 to 34 no longer need to earn double the previous year’s per capita GNI. However, they need to match it. Korea’s GNI per capita in 2025 was KRW 52.42 million, approximately PHP 2.13 million.
How can I apply for a South Korea digital nomad visa?
You need to prepare the following documents when applying for a digital nomad visa:
- Visa application form No. 17
- 1 (one) passport size colored picture
- Original passport
- Photocopy of passport bio page (page 2)
- Original Certificate of Employment, including applicant’s position, date hired, compensation, office address, HR landline, and HR e-mail address
- Copy of Payslip
- Original Personal Bank Certificate including account name, account number, account type, current balance, account opening date, and 6-month average balance (ADB)
- Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316
- NBI Clearance
- Medical insurance certificate
- For visa application of family members: marriage certificate or birth certificte
You may find more information here.
How much does it cost?
The visa application fee for South Korea’s digital nomad visa costs PHP4,500.
Are Philippine passport holders eligible?
There are no restrictions on visa applications based on nationality so yes, Philippine passport holders are eligible to appyly.
Are there other new South Korea visas I can apply for?
Aside from the digital nomad visa, South Korea also announced that they will be launching the K-Culture Visa, which is targeted specifically towards Hallyu fans. So if you love K-pop and K-drama, keep an eye out for this one!
This article was originally published in 2024.
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