Getting There — Visa

Digital Nomad Visa (F-1-D Workation) — requires 1+ year at a foreign employer, min ~$65,800/yr income, and private health insurance with ₩100M coverage. Valid 1 year, extendable to 2. D-8 Investment Visa is the alternative for entrepreneurs (min ₩100M investment, ~$73,000).

Cost of Living

20-35% less than US major cities. Seoul is comparable to mid-tier US cities (~$1,500-2,500/mo). Outside Seoul is significantly cheaper.

Key Fact

South Korea has world-class internet (fastest average speeds globally), excellent public transit, and universal healthcare — but the language barrier is real and Korean bureaucracy requires patience and often an in-person translator.