Moving to South Korea: every visa & residency route in 2026
There are 3 ways to move to South Korea legally as of 2026 — spanning digital nomad, investment and retirement routes. Here's every one, what it actually requires, and where it leads.
All 3 routes checked against official government sources · July 2026 · how we verify
Every route, side by side
| Route | Type | Requirement | Leads to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workation Visa (F-1-D) | Digital nomad | $5,480/mo income | Temporary residency |
| D-8 Corporate Investment Visa | Investment | $100,000 investment | Citizenship in ~7 yrs |
| F-2 Points-Based Residency | Retirement | $3,000/mo income | Citizenship in ~7 yrs |
Digital nomad route to South Korea
Compare digital nomad visas across every country →
$5,480/mo income
Driven by a $5,480/mo income bar and no route onward to permanent residency.
The F-1-D 'Workation' visa became a permanent program on 30 June 2026 after a two-year pilot. Standard income requirement is ~2x Korea's GNI per capita (~$65,800/yr, ≈$5,480/mo); reduced to ~1x GNI (~$36,963/yr) for applicants aged 18-34 who reside OUTSIDE Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi. Requires private health insurance covering >=$75,000 for treatment + repatriation. Max stay 3 years (issued 1yr, renewable). Only remote work for foreign employers/clients; spouse and dependent children may accompany.
Official source →Retirement route to South Korea
Compare retirement & passive-income visas across every country →
$3,000/mo income
Driven by a $3,000/mo income bar.
Points-based residency for high earners and retirees. Requires meeting a point threshold across income (KRW 40M+ annual), age, education, and Korean language. F-5 PR after 3 years on F-2. Not a dedicated retirement visa but the practical path for retirees with income.
Official source →Investment route to South Korea
Compare golden visas & residency-by-investment programs across every country →
$100,000 investment
Driven by $100,000 of committed capital.
Requires KRW 100M+ investment in a Korean business entity. Renewable in 2-year increments. F-5 permanent residency available after 5 years with investment maintained. Naturalization after ~7 years total residence.
Official source →Next steps: the money side
Set up your finances before and after you move.
Planning a move to South Korea?
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
Moving to South Korea: FAQ
How many ways are there to move to South Korea?
This dataset tracks 3 residency or visa routes into South Korea as of 2026, across digital nomad, investment, retirement pathways. Each has its own income, investment, or heritage requirement.
Does South Korea have a digital nomad visa?
Yes — the Workation Visa (F-1-D) lets remote workers live in South Korea. It requires about $5,480/month in income. The F-1-D 'Workation' visa became a permanent program on 30 June 2026 after a two-year pilot. Standard income requirement is ~2x Korea's GNI per capita (~$65,800/yr, ≈$5,480/mo); reduced to ~1x GNI (~$36,963/yr) for applicants aged 18-34 who reside OUTSIDE Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi. Requires private health insurance covering >=$75,000 for treatment + repatriation. Max stay 3 years (issued 1yr, renewable). Only remote work for foreign employers/clients; spouse and dependent children may accompany.
What's the lowest-income way to get residency in South Korea?
The most accessible income-based route is the F-2 Points-Based Residency at roughly $3,000/month. Requirements reset annually and move with exchange rates, so confirm the current figure with the official source before you apply.
Does moving to South Korea lead to a second passport?
Yes — at least one route to South Korea has a defined path to citizenship. The exact timeline and physical-presence rules vary by program; check each route's official source below.
South Korea, compared
Visas, cost, and healthcare side by side with the alternatives people weigh.