WAKATION · KOREA

Korea workation guide for international remote workers and teams

Everything you need to work and stay in Korea, on one page. Entry requirements link to the official sources with the date we checked them; support programs, city guides, experiences, trip sets, stays and eSIM lead to the relevant pages, operators and partners.

Official sources checked on 2026-09-19

Start with the stay you have in mind

Explore cities, check stays and work connectivity, or tell us about a team plan. Verify entry rules separately using the official sources below.

Pick a way to stay (3–4 days or 1–2 weeks) →Seoul, Busan & Jeju guides →Stays & work connectivity →Ask about a team stay →

Two ways to spend time in Korea

A short taste, or a longer stay while you keep working. These are starting points that Wakation plans with you — not products you book instantly elsewhere. The schedules are examples; dates, places and costs are confirmed after we talk.

Seoul · city streets

A 3–4 day starting point

Experience Korea in 3–4 days

Rather than ticking off sights, you spend the days around one interest and everyday Korean life — with plenty of free time, and a short class or meet-up only if you want one.

Who it suits · Anyone who wants a short, hands-on taste of Korea through a personal interest — language, food, photography or culture

Sample schedule

  1. Day 1Arrive and settle in → a walk around the neighbourhood and dinner
  2. Day 2An activity around your interest (e.g. market food, a photo walk, a craft) → free time
  3. Day 3Optional: a short Korean class or a meet-up — or a fully free day
  4. Day 4Shopping and packing → head home
Optional extras
A short Korean class, a meet-up, bookable activities (cooking, crafts, tours), a photo walk
Free time
At least half of each day is yours. Every activity is optional.
What we decide together
City (Seoul, Busan and more), your interest, where to stay and budget, whether to add a class or meet-up, and the language it runs in
Ask about this plan
Seoul · city streets

A 1–2 week starting point

Live and keep working in Korea for 1–2 weeks

We check a stay and workspace you can actually work from first, and the rest of your time is yours. Add Korean classes, meet-ups or activities only if you want.

Who it suits · People who keep doing their usual work remotely while living in a Korean neighbourhood

Sample schedule

  1. WeekdaysMorning work (stay or coworking) → lunch walk → afternoon work and calls → free evening
  2. OptionalKorean classes once or twice a week, meet-ups, one-day activities
  3. WeekendsA trip out of the city — or complete rest
Optional extras
Long-stay lodging, coworking, Korean classes, meet-ups, day trips
Free time
Outside your working hours, the time is yours. Classes and meet-ups are only for those who want them.
What we decide together
Working hours and time zone, the desk, call and meeting space you need, where to stay and budget, your entry status (remote-work rules), whether to add classes
Ask about this plan

We reply in Korean, English or Japanese. Sending an inquiry does not confirm a booking.

Coming as a company or team? See team programs

Entering Korea — four things checked against official sources

Entry rules change. Re-check the official pages below before you travel. This is editorial guidance, not legal advice.

K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) — 22 countries and regions are exempt until 31 December 2026

Visa-free nationals normally need a K-ETA before departure (KRW 10,000, usually processed within 72 hours, valid for 3 years or until the passport expires, with multiple entries). However, nationals of the 22 countries and regions below are temporarily exempt from 1 January to 31 December 2026 and can enter without a K-ETA during that period. You may still apply voluntarily, in which case the fee applies.

Exempt: Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, United States (incl. Guam), Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Australia, New Zealand (Korea Tourism Organization guidance as of 21 April 2026)

Official source: Official K-ETA notice — exemption extended (23 Dec 2025) · Korea Tourism Organization — visa and K-ETA guide

Visa-free short stays — the allowed length depends on your passport

For tourism and visits, the visa-free period depends on your nationality under a visa waiver agreement or designated visa-free entry (up to 90 days). Japanese passport holders can stay visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism, business or language study (Japan MOFA guidance). Check the exact period and conditions for your passport on the official Korea Visa Portal. Paid work is not allowed on a visa-free stay; stays over 90 days or for employment require a visa before departure.

Official source: Korea Visa Portal (official) · HiKorea — immigration and stay guide

Workation (digital nomad) visa F-1-D — regular operation since 30 June 2026

Open to foreign nationals aged 18 or over who work remotely for an overseas company and have worked in the same industry for at least one year, plus their spouse and minor children. The income requirement is twice the previous year’s per-capita GNI (about KRW 52.41 million for 2025) as the base rule, 1.5 times if you stay outside the Seoul capital region or in a designated population-decline area, and 1 time for ages 18–34 on a workation outside the capital region. Private medical insurance covering at least KRW 100 million for treatment and repatriation is required, and the stay is up to three years. Apply at a Korean embassy or consulate abroad; short-term visitors (B-1, B-2, C-3) who meet the requirements can apply to change their status in Korea.

Official source: Ministry of Justice press release — regular operation (7 Jul 2026) · Embassy of Korea in Canada — F-1-D guide (2 Apr 2026)

Local support programs open to foreign applicants · 3

Only programs whose official notice states that foreign nationals may apply. Each operating body handles applications and selection; conditions, documents and cautions follow the notice on the detail page.

Local support programs open to foreign applicants
RegionProgramSupportStatus
GyeongnamNamhae Month-Stay₩70,000/day lodgingAmounts as stated in guidance checked on 2026-09-17Ended
GyeongnamGimhae Seumim-ae₩70,000/night lodgingAmounts as stated in guidance checked on 2026-09-17Check needed
Boeun, ChungbukBoeun Live-Here Stay₩70,000/day stay (team)Amounts as stated in guidance checked on 2026-09-17Check needed
Open the support hub with the foreigner filter

City guides — Seoul, Busan and Jeju

SeoulPop-ups in Seongsu, cafés in Yeonnam — a whole city that works as an officeBusanA seaside workation base — Korea's flagship workation cityJejuA desk by the sea, no passport needed — the fastest workation

Experiences — partner listings

EXPERIENCEOne day across Busan’s coast, villages and sea viewsA full-day vehicle itinerary connecting far-apart Busan highlights such as Blue Line Park and Gamcheon Culture Village.EXPERIENCEHalf a day in Seoul, walking and dancing to Hongdae’s rhythmFinish your work in the morning, then use four afternoon hours for a K-pop dance class and a guided walk through Hongdae merchandise shops.

Trip sets — stays, experiences, eSIM and transport in itinerary order

TRIP SETSeoul, 3 nights 4 daysCafés and street walks — a trip that gets close to everyday SeoulTRIP SETBusan weekend, 2N3DSea views, good food, long walks — an easy weekendTRIP SETJeju solo reset, 2N3DWork by the sea, close the day on the coastal road — a reset of your own

Stays and connectivity

Find a stay — Seoul, Busan, Jeju (Booking.com · Agoda search)Korea eSIM and mobile dataWork device and connection security checklistHosted stays and program updates

Some external links may earn Wakation a commission. Booking, payment, cancellation and refunds follow each service’s terms. Support programs are run and decided by each operating body.

Coming as a company or team?

The table of programs open to companies and teams, plus the inquiry form, is on the business page.

Company and team workationsContact us

Looking beyond Korea too?

You can also plan stays, language study and market research in Japan, the Philippines, Australia, China, Bali and more. We have gathered the official entry pages to check before you go.

See global staysEntry & stay prep

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a K-ETA?

Visa-free nationals normally need one, but nationals of 22 countries and regions (including Japan, the US, the UK, Germany, France and Australia) are temporarily exempt until 31 December 2026 and can enter without a K-ETA during that period. An approved K-ETA stays valid for 3 years or until the passport expires.

Which visa do I need to work remotely from Korea?

A visa-free stay for tourism or visits does not allow paid work. If you work for an overseas company, have at least one year in the same industry and meet the income and insurance requirements, you can apply for the F-1-D workation (digital nomad) visa at a Korean embassy or consulate; the stay is up to three years.

Can foreign nationals apply for local support programs?

3 programs state in their official notice that foreign nationals may apply. Conditions and documents differ by program, so check the notice on each detail page and apply with the operating body.

How do I arrange a stay and an eSIM?

For Seoul, Busan and Jeju, the stay page leads to Booking.com and Agoda searches, and the eSIM page leads to our partner for a Korea eSIM. Booking, payment and refunds follow each service’s terms.

Sources and how we check information