Updated for the formal F-1-D rules effective 30 June 2026. This guide separates nationwide rules from documents a particular Korean embassy or consulate may request. It is not legal, tax, or immigration advice.
What the F-1-D is for
The F-1-D Workation (Digital Nomad) visa is for an adult who owns an overseas business or is affiliated with an overseas company, can work remotely, and has worked in the same industry for at least one year. A legal spouse and unmarried minor children may accompany the main applicant. The main applicant must be at least 18; the age rule does not apply to accompanying children.
It is not a general Korean work permit. The Ministry of Justice says employment and profit-making activities are restricted. Do not assume that a Korean employer, Korean client, Korean business registration, or a particular freelance arrangement is allowed: ask the competent immigration office or Immigration Contact Center (1345) with the facts of your work before applying.
2026 income requirement: use your age, stay area, and family status
The published threshold uses the Bank of Korea's preceding-year GNI per capita. For the 2026 rule table, that figure is β©52.416 million. The applicable multiplier is not a single β©88M figure.
| Applicant / planned stay | Required GNI multiple | 2026 reference threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Age 18β34; Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi (excluding qualifying population-decline areas) | 1.5Γ | β©78.624M |
| Age 18β34; non-capital area or qualifying population-decline / interest area | 1Γ | β©52.416M |
| Age 35+; capital area | 2Γ | β©104.832M |
| Age 35+; non-capital or qualifying population-decline / interest area | 1.5Γ | β©78.624M |
| Accompanying spouse or minor child; capital area | 2Γ | β©104.832M |
| Accompanying spouse or minor child; non-capital or qualifying population-decline / interest area | 1.5Γ | β©78.624M |
For the lower regional threshold, the Ministry's fact sheet calls for evidence that you plan to stay in the relevant area, such as a lease of at least one month or a workation-specialized facility/accommodation reservation. Confirm whether your exact destination is included before relying on the lower band. The GNI reference changes over time, so confirm the figure used on your application date with your mission or immigration office.
Documents: common core vs. mission-specific requests
National core listed by the Ministry of Justice: Form No. 17, passport, one standard photo, fee; proof of employment and income (for example an employment certificate, pay slips, and account transactions); criminal-record certificate; proof of individual medical insurance; and relationship evidence when family accompanies you. The criminal-record certificate is to be accompanied by an Apostille or consular legalization.
Insurance: individual medical insurance covering medical treatment and repatriation during the stay, with at least β©100M coverage. The national fact sheet does not name approved insurers or state that F-1-D holders automatically qualify for National Health Insurance; obtain written confirmation from the insurer and check health-insurance questions with the relevant authority.
Your local mission can add requirements. For example, the Embassy in the Philippines asks for an original employment certificate containing role, hire date, compensation, office address, and HR contact details, plus business-registration evidence. The Thailand notice calls for a recent bank statement and may require a tuberculosis certificate for specified applicants. These are local submission requirements, not an exhaustive nationwide checklist. Check the mission responsible for your place of residence before booking.
Apply, register, extend
Apply through the Korean diplomatic mission with jurisdiction over your residence. If you are lawfully in Korea on B-1, B-2, or C-3 short-term status, the Ministry states that you may apply to change to F-1-D if you meet the criteria; the local immigration office decides the application.
On registration after entry, the initial period is one year from entry. Extensions are granted one year at a time, for a maximum stay of three years under the 2026 formal rules. File through the competent immigration office before your authorized stay ends and confirm the renewal documents and fee there; the national fact sheet does not publish a universal processing-time promise or fixed fee.
A preparation sequence that keeps the evidence aligned
- Decide your planned residence area and whether family will accompany you; select the matching income row.
- Ask the jurisdictional mission for its current checklist and appointment/submission method.
- Collect proof of same-industry work, remote-work arrangement, income, insurance, criminal record (with required authentication), and family relationship where relevant.
- If using a regional reduction, collect the qualifying one-month-or-longer accommodation or facility evidence.
- Keep the original evidence available for an in-country change or extension request.
Questions that need an official answer for your case
The F-1-D source does not settle every question about independent contracting, Korean-source revenue, tax residence, or public health-insurance enrollment. We therefore do not recommend a tourist-entry workaround, or describe a freelance arrangement as permitted, without a written answer from the competent authority. For visa status and permitted activity, contact 1345 (inside Korea) or your mission; for tax and insurance, use the National Tax Service / National Health Insurance Service channels or a qualified professional.
