South Korea (KR)
South Korea is a high-income East Asian democracy with world-class broadband, dense public transport, export-led technology giants, sophisticated healthcare, a powerful popular culture sector and one of Asia's most convenient urban lifestyles for expats who can adapt to Korean-language administration.
Visa & Immigration
Entry and residence options for South Korea.
✈️ Visa-Free Access
Many nationalities receive K-ETA/visa-free short stays, commonly 30-90 days depending on passport. Visa-free status does not allow employment.
Use Hi Korea for appointments, extensions and status checks. Report address changes within 14 days and employment changes within the deadline for your status. Immigration offices can require original documents, Korean translations and apostilles even where checklists look simple.
E-2 Foreign Language Instructor
Native-level teachers from designated countries with degree and clean background check.
2-8 weeks
- ✓Bachelor degree apostille
- ✓Criminal background check apostille
- ✓Employment contract
- ✓Health check in Korea
- ✓Consular application
E-7 Specially Designated Activities
Skilled professionals in approved job codes with matching education/experience and sponsoring employer.
4-12 weeks
- ✓Sponsoring employer
- ✓Job code match
- ✓Degree/career proof
- ✓Salary and employment documents
- ✓Company documents
D-8 Corporate Investment
Foreign investors/founders meeting investment and company requirements.
1-3 months
- ✓FDI registration
- ✓Company registration
- ✓Investment funds evidence
- ✓Office lease
- ✓Business plan
D-10 Job Seeking
Qualified graduates/professionals seeking work or startup preparation.
2-6 weeks
- ✓Education/career proof
- ✓Job-seeking plan
- ✓Funds
- ✓Housing proof
F-2 Resident
Points-based or family/status routes for longer-term residents.
1-3 months
- ✓Income
- ✓Korean ability or KIIP
- ✓Residence history
- ✓Tax compliance
- ✓Clean record
F-5 Permanent Residence
Long-term residents meeting income, Korean integration and conduct requirements.
3-12 months
- ✓Residence period
- ✓Income/assets
- ✓KIIP/TOPIK where required
- ✓Tax and social insurance compliance
- ✓Criminal record checks
Digital Nomad Visa (F-1-D Workcation)
Digital NomadRemote employees or business owners working exclusively for overseas entities (not Korean employers or Korean-resident clients). Minimum annual income: ₩88.1 million/year (approximately USD 66,000/year — equivalent to twice South Korea's GNI per capita). Requires private health insurance with minimum ₩100 million (approximately USD 75,000) coverage for medical treatment and repatriation. Clean criminal background required.
2–8 weeks. As of 2026, applicants may switch from B-1/B-2 tourist or visa-free status to F-1-D at a local immigration office without leaving Korea, provided all eligibility requirements are met.
- ✓Foreign employment contract or proof of ownership of a foreign company not operating in Korea
- ✓Proof of minimum annual income of ₩88.1 million/year (approximately USD 66,000/year) — typically last 3–6 months bank statements and employer letter or business financial statements
- ✓Private health insurance with minimum ₩100 million (approximately USD 75,000) coverage for medical treatment and repatriation
- ✓Criminal background check (apostilled)
- ✓Valid passport
- ✓No local Korean employment or work for Korean-resident clients or employers
Visa & Immigration
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