Korea Digital Nomad Visa Guide for Filipinos: Requirements, how to apply, and what to expect
Being a digital nomad allows you to work remotely, whether it’s at home or from your favourite country - all you need is an internet connection and a laptop. Hallyu fans in the Philippines can now apply for a South Korea digital nomad visa, officially named the Korea Workation visa. This means more time to explore the birthplace of all things K-pop, K-drama and K-food, while also being able to continue to earn a living to fund your travels.
In this guide, we will take you through what this Korea digital nomad visa is, and how Filipinos can apply for it, and specific requirements. We’ll also check out Wise, a flexible and simple way that helps digital nomads hold, exchange, receive, send and spend multiple currencies - the perfect companion for globetrotting remote workers.
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What is the Korea digital nomad visa?
The South Korea digital nomad visa allows foreigners to work remotely while travelling in the east Asian country. Officially called the F-1-D (Workation)1 or Korea Workation (Digital Nomad) visa, the testing phase of the visa’s implementation started on 1 January 2024. It is administered by the Ministry of Justice, Republic of Korea.
The Korea Workation visa is a multiple-entry visa that allows foreigners who want to stay in and work as a digital nomad from South Korea to do so for one year, and can be extended for another year2. It is for foreign business owners or those who are still employed but able to work remotely. Holders of the South Korea digital nomad visa cannot be hired by a company in South Korea or be paid for work there.
Here are some South Korea digital nomad requirements:
- Have been employed by a foreign company or have owned a foreign company for more than a year
- Have a personal medical insurance that can cover more than 100 million won (PHP 4.2 million) for hospital treatment and repatriation
- Must earn more than two times the Korean Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of the previous year after tax deduction.
If you’re thinking of working from Korea and want to bring your family along, rest assured that accompanying immediate family members can also apply for the Korea digital nomad visa. Parents who are digital nomads can take their children with them, instead of having to search for a caregiver back home.
Who can get a Korea Workation visa?
The Korea digital nomad visa is generally open to foreigners, as long as there is a South Korean embassy in their country. This includes those from America, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and of course, the Philippines. The Korea digital nomad visa requirements for each country may differ slightly, such as the mandatory medical certificates required.
There may be changes depending on global factors such as the Covid-19 pandemic, and also because the South Korea Workation visa is still undergoing pilot testing. Always refer directly to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines3 for the most updated information.
Korea digital nomad visa requirements for Filipinos
The documents you’ll need to submit for your South Korea digital nomad application include proof of your identity, employment and medical history. For those with accompanying immediate family members, they will also need to show proof of their relationship.
Here’s a list of the documents required for your Korea Workation visa:
- Visa application form
- Valid passport
- Passport-size photo
- Certificate of Employment with record of more than 1 year of employment
- Apostilled criminal records certificate
- Medical insurance certificate that shows coverage of over 100 million won for hospital treatment and repatriation
- Additional documents for visa application of immediate family members including Marriage and/or Birth Certificate
- Certificate of tuberculosis or TB screening issued from hospitals designated by the South Korean embassy in the Philippines.
For Filipinos, the equivalent of a criminal records certificate would be the Apostilled National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance. Those who were not staying in the Philippines for more than 1 year in the last 5 years also need to submit the criminal record certificate from the relevant country. Teenagers and kids below 14 years old do not need to submit a criminal records certificate.
Do note that from 1 December 2022, TB treatment history, signs and symptoms suggestive of TB, and the chest X-ray result are mandatory. The validity of the TB screening certificate is 3 months, and those who test positive for TB will immediately be denied the visa. Children below 5 years old are exempted.
Korea Workation visa income requirements
For the South Korea digital nomad visa application, you will also need to submit financial documents that show you meet the minimum Korea Workation visa income requirements to stay long term in the country. This amount changes yearly as it is twice the Korean GNI or gross national income per capita of the previous year, as announced by the Bank of Korea, after tax deduction.
As of 2022, this amount is 84.96 million won per year, or 7.08 million won per month. This is an income of about PHP 3.6 million annually, or over PHP 300,000 a month. Do ensure your income is above the approved threshold before applying.
Documents to submit to show proof of your income include:
- Payslips
- Bank Certificate
- Income Tax Return or ITR
How to apply for a Korea digital nomad visa
To submit your Korea digital nomad application, you may do so via the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines.. Fill up the provided forms and templates on the website, go for your TB screening checkup at the designated hospital, and submit all your certificates, documents and forms. Pay the visa fee of PHP 4,500.
You can also get in touch directly with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines via:
- Tel : +63-2-8856-9210
- Email: philippines@mofa.go.kr
- Address: 122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig city 1634, Philippines.
The office is open from 8am to 5pm, Mondays to Fridays.
How long is the South Korea Workation visa valid for?
The South Korea digital nomad visa grants multiple entry into South Korea and is valid for 1 year. This can be extended2 at the embassy by another year, for a total of 2 years.
What to expect working as a digital nomad in Korea
For aspiring digital nomads who are keen to apply for the Korea Workation visa, this is an excellent choice. The East Asian country is modern, with good infrastructure perfect for remote workers. This includes clean and comfortable cafes and accommodation with speedy WiFi. South Korea is also a popular tourist, work and education location among fellow Filipinos.
As Korea is located on a peninsula, you can expect gorgeous sea views, fresh seafood and trips out to its islands – including the popular Jeju island. The capital of Seoul is a bustling hub with myriad entertainment, dining and cultural options; while travellers flock to Busan for its history, coastal views and more laid back vibe.
Cost of living in Korea
Of course, the cost of living is also something to consider when looking at the feasibility of the South Korea digital nomad visa. Staying in Korea is definitely much more expensive than in the Philippines, with major cities Seoul and Busan ranking 32 and 88 on Mercer’s 2024 Cost of Living Survey4, compared to Manila, which ranked 131.
| Seoul⁵ | Busan⁶ | |
|---|---|---|
| Rent - 1 bed apartment in city centre | About 1.2 million KRW per month (about 53,000 PHP) | About 658,000 KRW per month (about 28,000 PHP) |
| Utilities | About 249,000 KRW per month (about 11,000 PHP) | About 157,000 KRW per month (about 6,700 PHP) |
| Transport - local ticket, one way | 1,500 KRW (about 64 PHP) | 1,500 KRW (about 64 PHP) |
| Meal in an inexpensive restaurant | 11,000.00 KRW (about 467 PHP) | About 9,000 KRW (about 382 PHP) |
| Cinema ticket | 15,000.00 KRW (about 637 PHP) | About 15,500 KRW (about 658 PHP) |
- Price information correct at time of research 11 October 2024
Getting paid from abroad? Use Wise to receive payment and spend in Korea without any hidden fees
While you travel and work remotely from South Korea, individuals on the Workation visa can consider using the Wise account to receive their salary and work payments from abroad. With over 8+ account details including GBP, CAD, and more, you’ll be able to receive and convert your salary at the mid-market rate with absolutely no hidden fees.7
Whether it’s exchanging it for Philippine pesos to send back home, or Korean won for your overseas expenses, the Wise account holds over 40+ currencies. You can also get a linked Wise prepaid card that allows you to pay for your daily expenses in Korea, along with 150+ other countries. If you find yourself needing some cash, the Wise card even offers some free ATM withdrawals of up to 12,000 PHP
Still pondering your South Korea Workation visa application? We hope that this guide to the Korea digital nomad visa requirements can help make your decision a little easier. Whether you plan to fly to Korea, or anywhere else in the world, take Wise along on your journey to make managing your money easier and cheaper.
🌎 Transation seamlessly and start working from South Korea
Sources:
- F-1-D (Workation) or Korea Workation (Digital Nomad) visa
- Ministry of Justice, Republic of Korea - Digital Nomad (Workation) Visa
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines
- Mercer’s 2024 Cost of Living Survey
- Numbeo: Cost of living in Seoul, October 2024
- Numbeo: Cost of living in Busan, October 2024
- Pricing/fees: Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
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