Living or working in South Korea: long-stay, digital nomad and working holiday visas

If you have a Korean job offer, apply for a D‑2 work visa; if you plan to start a business, use D‑8; for long‑term stay after several years, the F‑2‑7 points‑based visa applies; and if you are 18‑30, the H‑1 working‑holiday visa lets you work seasonally while traveling. All require a valid passport, completed forms, and supporting documents; fees are around ₩90‑150k and processing 4‑8 weeks.

D‑2 (General work): employer must submit a Certificate of Visa Issuance (CVI) and proof of salary ≥ ₩2.5 million/month. D‑8 (Corporate investment): requires a Korean corporation, minimum capital ₩100 million, or a startup with a government‑approved plan. F‑2‑7 (Long‑term residence): points awarded for education, Korean language ability, income, and years lived in Korea; minimum 80 points needed. H‑1 (Working holiday): open to citizens of 25 partner countries, age 18‑30, limited to 12 months, work allowed in hospitality, teaching, or seasonal jobs.

All visas are single‑entry; extensions are possible at local immigration offices. Digital‑nomad‑specific legislation is not yet in force, so remote‑work travellers must use D‑8 or a short‑term tourist visa (90 days) and work remotely only if not employed by a Korean entity.

1. Gather documents: passport (valid ≥6 months), recent photo, completed visa form, CV, employment contract or business plan, proof of financial means, and health insurance. 2. Submit at the Korean embassy/consulate in your home country or via the online K‑Visa portal where available. 3. Pay the fee (cash or card). 4. Wait 4‑8 weeks; peak seasons (summer, Korean holidays) may add 2‑3 weeks. 5. Collect visa or receive electronic approval, then travel within the validity period.

Visa fees range from ₩90,000 for a short‑term work visa to ₩150,000 for a business visa. Monthly living costs for a single traveller in Seoul average ₩1.2 million (≈ $950) for rent, food, transport, and insurance. Smaller cities like Busan or Daegu can be 20‑30 % cheaper. Budget extra for Korean language classes if you aim for F‑2‑7 points.

• Remote‑work on a tourist visa is not permitted if you receive Korean‑based income.

• The H‑1 visa does not allow teaching in public schools; only private language academies or hospitality jobs.

• After 5 years on a D‑2 or D‑8, you may be eligible for F‑2‑7 without leaving the country.

• Always keep a copy of your visa and passport in a separate bag; immigration checks are routine.