South Korea F-1-D Workation Visa
Live in South Korea while working remotely for your existing foreign employer or business.
Last verified Jun 9, 2026
Dream spread
Live in South Korea while working remotely for your existing foreign employer or business.
Relocation reality check
You must have worked for or owned a foreign company for 1+ years, meet a high after-tax income threshold, carry qualifying medical insurance, and cannot work for a Korean employer.
Your fit signals
The real program is below — the 0–100 scoring is a paid feature.
Full match score — Solo / Household
The 0–100 move-match score, quality score, and would-stay breakdown — with confidence and full reasoning — unlock on Solo and Household.
See Solo & Household plansReality engine
Four lenses on whether this move fits you — tap a panel to see the logic behind each signal.
Eligibility
Applicant 18+, employed by/owner of a foreign company for 1+ years, able to work remotely, meets income requirement, no criminal record, holds qualifying medical insurance.
The long game
If South Korea becomes home, here is the road from first visa to a second passport.
South Korea · residency → PR → citizenship
Curated- Y0ArriveYear zero
- Y5Permanent residency~5 years
- Y5Citizenship eligible~5 years
Citizenship: 5 consecutive years of qualifying residence, plus adult status, means and conduct requirements.
Permanent residency: F-5 permanent residency generally after 5 years on qualifying long-stay visas.
True cost to move
Upfront cash, reimbursements, and net position after approval — not headline incentive amounts.
- Flights & logistics$1,200
- Temporary housing (90 days)$2,400
- Deposit / first month rent$2,000
- Visa & consular fees$500
- Health insurance$600
- Legal & translation$400
- Setup costs$800
- First 90-day living costs$4,500
- Emergency buffer$3,000
- Upfront cash needed
- $15,400
- Net after approval
- $15,400
- Savings ($15,000) may be below upfront cash needed.
Application roadmap
A practical sequence — adjust for your consulate and timeline.
1. Confirm official eligibility
Read the primary government source.
2. Gather income & employment proof
Bank statements, contracts, or tax records.
3. Book consulate / immigration appointment
Slots vary by country and season.
4. Prepare health coverage
Meet minimum coverage rules before arrival.
Community & lifestyle
Lived experience signals — not a substitute for official rules.
Fast internet, dense cities, design, cafes, public transit, K-culture, history, food, mountain access.
High-energy, highly organized, convenience-driven, with strong etiquette norms blending modern and traditional life.
Kimchi, barbecue, stews, street food, cafe culture, convenience-store meals, regional specialties.
K-pop, indie scenes, jazz clubs, traditional music, karaoke, major live events.
Polite, fast-paced, community-oriented once relationships form; language effort improves integration.
Urban, efficient, late-night, work-oriented, socially dynamic.
Meet people before you go
Existing communities already talking about life in 🇰🇷 South Korea. Lurk, ask, make a friend — before the flight.
- r/korea
- Reddit — living in Korea threads
Several expat-life subs exist; search for the active ones.
Red flags
- High income threshold
- No Korean local employment
- Insurance required
- Background check required
Source trail
Official links and when we last verified them.
- Primary official sourceLast checked 6/9/2026
- Secondary official referenceLast checked 6/9/2026