Since January 1, 2024, remote workers can also work from South Korea. It is made possible by a new digital nomad visa that allows foreign residents to live and reside in South Korea, while maintaining their employment in the home country, the BBC reports.
The initiative comes after a growing popularity for the type of remote work where individuals can maintain their usual work routine while embarking on long-term trips, so-called digital nomads.
Currently, around fifty countries in Europe, Central and South America and Southeast Asia have introduced similar work visas.
“More countries will follow”
According to Emelie Fågelstedt, co-founder of the network Swedish nomads, more and more countries will jump on the bandwagon.
– Many countries see it as an opportunity to attract people who can both stimulate the arrival of new business ideas and companies in the location, but which definitely also benefits the local community in the form of consumption.
However, some criticism has also been directed at digital nomad hubs with the growing trend.
– You risk competing with the local population if it is not done carefully.
The pandemic a triggering factor
As early as ten years ago, people began to discover the possibility that with just a good internet connection, it is possible to carry out many types of work from almost anywhere.
Emelie Fågelstedt believes, however, that it was the pandemic that caused people’s way of traveling and working to change significantly.
– Before the pandemic, many who worked remotely were freelancers, like myself. After the pandemic, however, it is seen that many companies actually allow their employees to work remotely in a different way. Estonia and Barbados were among the first countries to introduce a digital nomad visa. Then it just grew.
Applicants for digital nomad visas in several countries must submit necessary documentation to the embassy including proof of an annual income exceeding 84 million won in South Korea. This corresponds to approximately SEK 660,000.