South Korea made its workation visa (F-1-D) permanent in June 2026, with stays of up to 3 years. The usual income bar is twice Korea's GNI per capita (about $74,000 a year), but under-35s living outside the Seoul region qualify at about $37,000.
Checked against the sources at the end on November 2, 2026. This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the official source before you apply.
At a glance
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Visit first | 90 days with a K-ETA (Americans are temporarily exempt; check) |
| Route for remote workers | Workation visa (F-1-D) |
| Money you need to show | Twice Korea's GNI per capita, about $74,000 a year; about $37,000 for ages 18 to 34 living outside Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi. At least 1 year of remote-work history |
| Length | Up to 3 years in total |
| Government fees | Set by the consulate; check before applying |
| Timeline | Check with your consulate |
| Where you apply | At a Korean embassy or consulate in the US |
| Family | Spouse and minor children have been able to accompany F-1-D holders; confirm with the consulate |
| Long-term residence | The workation visa doesn't lead to permanent residence |
| US taxes | Still due every year. See our US taxes and banking guide |
Who qualifies
South Korea made its workation visa (F-1-D) permanent in June 2026, with stays of up to 3 years. The usual income bar is twice Korea's GNI per capita (about $74,000 a year), but under-35s living outside the Seoul region qualify at about $37,000.
- Remote employees of companies outside South Korea: yes.
- Freelancers and business owners: not on this route; check the alternatives below.
- Income: Twice Korea's GNI per capita, about $74,000 a year; about $37,000 for ages 18 to 34 living outside Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi. At least 1 year of remote-work history. That's about $6,170 a month.
Open question: Consulates are still applying the new income bands; confirm your figure.
Documents
Order US documents first: apostilles and FBI checks are the slowest part.
- Passport
- Proof of at least 1 year working remotely for a foreign company
- Proof of income
- Clean criminal record, apostilled
- Private health insurance
Step by step from the US
- Check your numbers against the rule above, using the last 6 to 12 months of income.
- Order US documents: FBI background check, apostilles and translations where needed.
- Apply: At a Korean embassy or consulate in the US.
- Buy health insurance that meets the requirement for your whole stay.
- Arrive and register your address and any residence card on time.
Taxes
- 183 days in a year makes you a Korean tax resident; ask whether your foreign salary is taxable
- The US-Korea tax treaty and totalization agreement apply
- US citizens still file a US return every year. The foreign earned income exclusion is up to $132,900 for 2026; the foreign tax credit is the alternative. See our US taxes guide.
Common mistakes
- The lower income band depends on where you live in Korea
- Get your FBI check apostilled before applying
Where to live in South Korea
Our city guides cover costs in dollars, neighborhoods, live weather and the time difference: Seoul · Busan · Jeju · Incheon.
Moving with a partner or kids? See Moving abroad with family.
Sources
Checked on November 2, 2026. Where sources disagree, we say so above.
- Korean Consulate General in Seattle: Workation visa (official)
- Freaking Nomads: South Korea makes F-1-D permanent (Jul 2026)
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