South Korea introduces workation visa to boost remote work tourism, ET TravelWorld

South Korea is set to launch a new workcation visa, officially named the F-1-D visa, allowing remote workers from overseas companies to stay in the country for an extended period. The move is a part of South Korea‘s tourism strategy, aiming to attract 30 million visitors annually and generate $3 billion in tourism revenue by 2027.

The new visa allows qualifying remote workers to apply for visas for their dependent family members to stay in Korea during the visa validity period.

Although the workation visa encourages remote work, it explicitly prohibits visa holders from being employed or conducting profit work in Korea. Any income generated must be from a non-Korean employer, business, or entity.

South Korea aims to double its tourism target by attracting 30 million visitors annually by 2027, with a revenue goal of USD 3 billion. The workation visa aligns with this vision, aiming to not only attract high-earning foreigners but also to vitalise local economies across various regions in South Korea.

As part of the Visit Korea Year 2023–2024 initiative, the country is introducing measures to enhance the overall tourist experience. These include expanding group electronic visa fee waivers, increasing limits for immediate tax refunds on duty-free purchases, and improving transportation reservation services and payment methods.

The workation visa is launching as a trial period, and its success will determine its permanence. The Korean justice ministry expressed hope that the new visa category would encourage foreigners to explore various regions of Korea, contributing to the local economies.