Introduction
For the past months, your feedback has given me so much insight into how I can help you fulfill your dream of becoming a digital nomad in Korea and what the most frequently asked questions are. The Digital Nomad Visa has been announced, and starting from January 1st, 2024, you can apply for it. In this post, I try to go into some of the questions you have asked, where I see possible conflicts, and how to navigate them. Let's dig into them!
Purpose of the Digital Nomad Visa
In the theme of "Visit Korea," the Korean Government is making an effort to bring more tourists to Korea to promote and share their unique experiences with their friends and family. When you mention "traveling to Korea," you often hear the question, "North or South Korea?". In order to change that, Korea is aiming to expand its Soft Power in the world and establish Seoul as a renowned metropolitan city, much like Tokyo, Kyoto, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Bali, and others. While many of you have already been to Korea and know how incredible it is, unfortunately, most people still have limited knowledge of Seoul.
How Long?
- 1 Year + 1 Year Extension (2 Years)
Requirements
- 18 and older
- Employment at a Foreign Company outside of Korea
- Work experience in that field for more than a 1 year
- Annual income: ~$66.000 (85 Million Won)
Conditions
- Bring Spouse and Children under 18
- No work for a Korean Company
Application Process
The application process for a Korean visa is relatively straightforward. Depending on your situation, either being in Korea on a tourist visa or applying for the visa at your local Korean embassy will determine the process. The speed of the application process can vary based on the immigration office or embassy that you are working with. However, in most cases, after submitting the required documents, the process takes less than a month.
Case 1: Apply in Korea at the Immigration Office
- Make an appointment at the immigration office
Submit Documents:
- Immigration Application Form
- Passport
- Passport Copy
- Passport Picture (ID)
- Proof of Employment or Work
- Employment Verification Letter, Official Letterhead, Start Date, Salary, Position, and Duties and that you can work remotely
- Pay slip
- Bank statements (Prove Income)
- Extract of Criminal Record
- International Travel Health Insurance
- 100 million won for Accidents/Transports/Medical help
- Address in Korea is REQUIRED for application
Case 2: Apply at a Korean Embassy
- Depending on Embassies in-person visit required or postal mailing
- A quick call to the embassy would be sufficient
Submit Documents:
- Visa Application Form
- Passport
- Passport Copy
- Passport Picture (ID)
- Proof of Employment or Work
- Employment Verification Letter, Official Letterhead, Start Date, Salary, Position, and Duties and that you can work remotely
- Pay slip
- Bank statements (Prove Income)
- Extract of Criminal Record
- International Travel Health Insurance
- 100 million won for Accidents/Transports/Medical help
Housing and Renting in Korea
This is a question that comes up the most and I have covered the whole process and shared my personal experienced in this blog post.
Explore the process of finding an apartment in Korea. We will discuss different rental systems, such as 전세 (Jeonse) and 월세 (Weolse), and provide insights into how to read apartment listings. Additionally, we will share tips on using real estate agencies and online platforms for your apartment search. Whether you're a student, a digital nomad, or someone planning to move to Korea, this guide will provide valuable information to help you find the perfect accommodation.
Taxation
This topic is beyond my expertise, but let's be practical here. I understand that there are legal requirements and then there's the reality. Many digital nomads I've met entered Korea on a tourist visa and worked remotely for their employers. It seems like Korea announced the Visa program without providing much guidance, leaving people to figure it out on their own.
So, what you need to know is that the Digital Nomad Visa is essentially a 2-year tourist visa for individuals who meet the income requirements like a Working Holiday Visa for Professionals over 30. It appears that the government recognized that people were already in Korea on tourist or working holiday visas, language study visas, working remotely. They decided to provide another long term option to stay for up to 2 years, in the hopes that they would contribute to the local economy and promote Korea.
Therefore, it's up to you to discuss this option with your employer and consult with your tax accountant. From my personal experience, I worked remotely under a working holiday visa, but I couldn't convince my employer to let me work from Korea as a full-time employee due to insurance issues. To make it work for me, I had to become a freelancer.
In summary, Korea offers you an option, but how you utilize it and ensure legal compliance is up to you, to make the most of it.
Alternatives
I know many of you have been eagerly awaiting the introduction of the Digital Nomad Visa in Korea, hoping for an easy way to come and stay for an extended period of time. However, it's essential to understand that the immigration process is not always straightforward, and there are various factors that need to be considered, including income requirements.
While the Digital Nomad Visa may not be the ideal option for everyone, there are alternative visa options that you can explore as a digital nomad in Korea. These include:
- Working Holiday Visa
- OASIS Startup Visa
- Language Student Visa
- 90 Days Tourist Visa + Visa Run
Each of these options has its own requirements and limitations, so it's important to carefully consider your situation.
Remember, immigration processes can be complex, but with the right guidance and understanding, you can still pursue your dreams of living and working in Korea as a digital nomad.
Update: 2024/01/13 Detailed Application Guidelines
Some applicants have reported back on more detailed application guidelines clarified by the Korean Immigration office and local embassies around the globe.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Digital Nomad Visa in Korea offers an exciting opportunity for individuals to live and work in Korea as digital nomads. While the visa program has been announced, there are still some uncertainties and considerations to keep in mind, such as taxation and alternative visa options. It's important to carefully navigate the application process, housing and renting, and understand the purpose of the visa. I will keep you updated about this topic!
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About the Author
Kim Ninja (Huy-Kim Nguyen)
Cloud Engineer / WebApp Developer 💻
Content Creator Bridging Korea 🇰🇷 to the World 🌎
Startup Founder based in Seoul, South Korea 🚀
The blog published by Kim Ninja (Huy-Kim Nguyen) is available for informational purposes only and is not considered legal advice on any subject matter.
