South Korea introduces new visa: who can apply

According to South Korea’s Ministry of Justice, the official launch of the program took place on July 7. According to information on the country’s e-government portal, visa holders will be able to live and work in South Korea for up to three years.

How long the visa is issued for

Initially, the visa is issued for one year, after which it can be extended two more times.

At the same time, applicants must confirm a certain level of income to obtain the visa. The requirements depend on the applicant’s age and region of residence.

What requirements must be met

One of the main conditions is to confirm a minimum annual income. The requirements depend on the applicant’s age and the region where they plan to live.

For people aged 18 to 34 who plan to live outside Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, the minimum income must be $37,000 per year. If the applicant plans to live in the capital region, an income of at least $55,000 is required.

For foreigners over the age of 35, the requirements are higher: $55,000 per year when living in the regions and $74,000 for those living in Seoul, Incheon or Gyeonggi Province.

In addition to financial requirements, the applicant must have at least one year of work experience in their field, provide a criminal record certificate and obtain medical insurance.

If the applicant moves with their family, age restrictions are not applied when calculating income requirements.

South Korea expects the new visa to help attract qualified remote specialists to the country and contribute to the development of the economy and service sector.