South Korea's F-1-D digital nomad visa became officially available on June 30, replacing a pilot programme that ran from January 2024 through May 2026. The Ministry of Justice confirmed the launch in a July 7 statement, framing the change as a way to broaden the visa beyond its test phase.

What does the F-1-D visa cover?

The "workation" permit lets foreign nationals employed by overseas companies live in South Korea while working remotely. Applicants keep their existing foreign employer; the visa is not a route to Korean employment contracts and does not lead to a domestic work permit.

The programme targets remote workers whose income is tied to firms based abroad. It sits alongside, rather than replaces, other Korean visas such as the E-7 professional track and the H-2 work-and-travel permit for certain nationalities.

What changed in the income thresholds?

Under the pilot, applicants generally needed to earn at least twice South Korea's previous year's gross national income per capita. The permanent version lowers that bar, with thresholds now varying by applicant age and by where they plan to settle.

For applicants aged 18 to 34 who reside outside Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, the qualifying income floor drops to one times the previous year's GNI per capita. South Korea's GNI per capita stood at US$36,963 (S$47,807) in 2025, the reference figure in the July 7 statement.

Higher floors apply to applicants aged 35 and over and to those living inside the Greater Seoul area. The ministry also tied some thresholds to designated population-declining regions, where local authorities have asked for outside residents to offset shrinking workforces.

How long can applicants stay?

The maximum period of stay has also been extended from two years to three years. That longer window gives remote workers more time before they must renew or depart, and gives applicants room to put down roots inside Korea.

Who benefits most from the new rules?

The biggest gain goes to younger remote workers willing to base themselves outside the capital region. A 30-year-old freelancer earning roughly US$37,000 from a foreign client now meets the income test, where the same worker would have needed close to US$74,000 under the pilot rule.

Officials have signalled that applicants placing themselves in shrinking regional towns may qualify under tailored thresholds, though specific tiers for those areas did not appear in the ministry's July 7 statement. The revisions also leave room for future adjustment, with the ministry indicating it will revisit thresholds and conditions as the permanent programme beds in.

What does Seoul say the visa is meant to do?

Officials framed the reset as a way to convert an experimental programme into a permanent settlement track that draws global talent into Korea's regions.

Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho said: "The digital nomad visa is intended to expand opportunities for creative talent from around the world to experience South Korea."

He added: "We will establish a settlement model that encourages highly skilled individuals to experience the country's appeal, voluntarily put down roots here and become valuable assets to Korea."

Where can readers confirm the details?

The Ministry of Justice's July 7 statement is the authoritative source for the new eligibility tiers and stay period. Applicants should confirm current requirements with the Korean consulate or immigration office handling their case, paying particular attention to:

• Income thresholds for applicants aged 35 and over
• Specific requirements for residents inside the Greater Seoul area
• Supporting documents and filing procedures

Exact tiers for the older applicants and the capital-region cohort were not specified in the announcement.