Amid the rise of remote work, digital nomad visas were first launched by countries looking to jump-start their economies by attracting foreigners who would spend money in the country while sustaining themselves with income from overseas.
But as the concept of the digital nomad became more and more prevalent, even countries with very strong economies and strict immigration rules have been jumping onboard with visas for remote workers. Last month, early reports came out that the Japanese government was working out a plan to launch a six-month visa for foreigners who earn income online later this spring.
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Another country that has only a few strict routes toward permanent residency through marriage, investment or achievement in certain professional fields, South Korea is also currently working out a "workation" visa for those looking to spend a few months in the country while still earning some income.
'Tour and work remotely in Korea for a longer period of time'
"The new system will allow employees and employers in overseas firms to tour and work remotely in Korea for a longer period of time," reads the government report first reported by Korea Herald in February.
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While the visa is yet to be formally announced or marketed to foreigners, it has become available as part of a "soft launch" in January for foreigners who have specifically asked about ways to spend more time in the country at South Korean embassies abroad. The visa is available for 12 months with the option to apply for an extension of another year as one gets close to its expiration.
The concept is similar to the digital nomad visas developed by other countries in which one needs to prove income over a certain number that comes in from a source in one's home country. In the case of South Korea, this must be the equivalent of $100,000 USD — a comparatively high number that has drawn the criticism of some who are interested in applying.
This is how you can tour South Korea for longer (and earn money while doing it)
"It seems to me to be a 'Cali tech bro' visa, not a nomad visa," a British freelance copywriter named David recently told Al Jazeera.
South Korea has, in general, been seeing a spike in tourism amid the rise of K-Pop popularity as well as the viral success of shows and films like "Parasite" and "Squid Game." In a recent report from Intrepid Travel, the sustainable-group-adventure travel company identified South Korea alongside off-the-beaten-path European countries such as Slovenia and Albania as the places seeing the highest growth in American traveler interest in 2024.
While most Western countries have a visa-free agreement with South Korea that allows them to enter the country for up to three months for tourism, the new visa targets those who want to visit for longer or would not be able to afford to stay for months without working. As other similar visas for remote workers, it is also very clearly designed as a temporary visa for visitors with no intention of making South Korea their permanent home.
