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South Korea: visas, tax & cost of living

South Korea runs the F-1-D Workation nomad visa needing roughly USD 66,000 income; 183 days triggers tax residency, and Seoul costs run mid to high.

South Korea: visas, tax & cost of living
Your passport

United KingdomSouth Korea

Your move to South Korea on a United Kingdom passport

  • VisitEasyVisa-free entry
  • NomadEasyNomad visa — likely eligible
  • RelocateMediumResidence with conditions

Visiting

Visa-free for up to 90 days. Travel on a passport valid for your whole stay, with a return or onward ticket and proof you can support yourself.

Passport validity:Passport must be valid past your departure date for visa-free short visits; airlines often require at least six months validity, and longer-stay visas require six months validity after arrival.

Heads-up:From 1 January 2026 the digital e-Arrival Card is the only accepted format; K-ETA exemptions for British and US nationals run until 31 December 2026, with US travellers expected to need K-ETA again from 1 January 2027.

At the border:Officers may ask for an onward or return ticket plus proof of funds, and the free online e-Arrival Card must be submitted before landing.

Working remotely

F-1-D Workation visa.

Income needed:~88M KRW/yr (~USD 66,000), F-1-D Workation visa(estimate)

Duration:24months

Fee:~45 USD(estimate)

Who qualifies:F-1-D Workation visa for those 18 or over working remotely for a foreign employer or own foreign company for at least one year, earning over twice Korea's GNI per capita (about KRW 88 million a year), with private health insurance covering EUR 70,000 of treatment and emergency repatriation, and no local Korean employment allowed.

Tax and residency

Resident if 183+ days/yr (worldwide income); short-term foreigners (5 of past 10 yrs) taxed on foreign income only if paid/remitted in.(estimate)

The UK decides residence with its Statutory Residence Test (days in the UK plus your ties). As a non-resident you are usually taxed only on UK income; where one exists, a double-tax treaty with the destination decides who taxes what.

Double-tax treaty:yes, in force since 1996

Practical

Currency:KRW. Cost of living:high.

Healthcare:There is no reciprocal health agreement, so visitors need private medical insurance while long-term residents typically enrol in the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS).

Driving:An International Driving Permit carried with your home licence and passport is recommended for short-term driving, generally valid for up to one year.

Sources: South Korea, MOFA (F-1-D Workation visa) · GOV.UK: tax on foreign income · HMRC: double-taxation treaties

Estimates, not advice. Confirm with the official sources before you act.

Should you move to South Korea?

South Korea is a strong pick if you want fast internet, safe streets, and some of the best food and transit anywhere, and you earn enough to clear a fairly steep income bar. Seoul and Busan are the obvious hubs. Jeju draws the people who want a slower pace. Be honest about money. Seoul rent and daily life sit on the higher end for Asia, so this works best when your income is comfortable rather than stretched thin.

South Korea visa and entry

The realistic route is the F-1-D Workation visa, Korea’s dedicated digital-nomad permit. It is for people working remotely for employers or clients based outside the country, so local employment is off the table. Expect to show income of roughly 88 million won a year (around USD 66,000), pegged to about twice Korea’s GNI per capita, plus private health insurance with solid medical and repatriation cover. The visa runs one year and renews once for a two-year total, and your immediate family can come along as dependents. One handy detail: as of 2026 you can often switch into it from a tourist or visa-free stay without leaving the country. This is educational, not legal advice, so confirm the live numbers before you apply.

Tax residency and what to check

The usual trigger is 183 days or more in a tax year, after which Korea generally treats you as a resident taxed on worldwide income. There is a real break for newcomers, though. Foreigners who have spent five years or less in Korea over the past ten are taxed on foreign-source income only when it is paid in or remitted into the country. That can matter a lot in your first years. Treat it as an estimate, since your home-country treaty and personal situation shape the actual outcome.

Figures are estimates. Always check the official source linked below.

At a glance

Currency
KRW
Cost of living
High
Digital-nomad visa
Yes
Tax & residency
Resident if 183+ days/yr (worldwide income); short-term foreigners (5 of past 10 yrs) taxed on foreign income only if paid/remitted in.

Frequently asked questions

South Korea: is there a digital nomad visa?
F-1-D Workation visa. F-1-D Workation visa for those 18 or over working remotely for a foreign employer or own foreign company for at least one year, earning over twice Korea's GNI per capita (about KRW 88 million a year), with private health insurance covering EUR 70,000 of treatment and emergency repatriation, and no local Korean employment allowed.
South Korea: when do you become a tax resident?
Resident if 183+ days/yr (worldwide income); short-term foreigners (5 of past 10 yrs) taxed on foreign income only if paid/remitted in.
South Korea: what is the cost of living?
The cost of living is high and the local currency is the KRW. Treat any figures as estimates.
South Korea: do you need health insurance?
There is no reciprocal health agreement, so visitors need private medical insurance while long-term residents typically enrol in the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS).
South Korea: can you drive on a foreign licence?
An International Driving Permit carried with your home licence and passport is recommended for short-term driving, generally valid for up to one year.

Terms worth knowing

Asia: more countries to explore

Put it to work

Last verified: 2026-06-24

Sources: South Korea — MOFA (F-1-D Workation visa)

Voymo gives general information to help you organise your move. It is not legal, tax, or immigration advice, always confirm with an official source or a qualified professional before you act.

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