All destinations
Destination · Asia

Move to Seoul, South Korea. The routes, mapped.

13 visa routes into South Korea, each with its real required-document list — pulled live from the Nomad knowledge graph. Start a plan and we sequence the right one for your situation.

Country
South Korea
Region
Asia
Visa routes
13
Coverage
Breadth
From the US

US → South Korea. The money facts.

Treaty coverage, double-tax exposure, and what setup actually costs, so you know the financial shape of the move before you commit.

US tax treaty
Yes
Totalization
Yes
Double-tax risk
Low
Setup cost
$6,000 to $28,000
Visa routes

How you can legally move to South Korea.

F-2-7 Points-Based Residence Visa

3 years~4 wks processing$100 fee$300 all-inRenewableRemote workFamily ok
Documents required
  • US Passport (6-Month Validity)
  • Employer Verification Letter (Notarized, Apostilled) ·a
  • FBI Background Check ·a
  • Hague Apostille (US)
Official source

D-2 Student Visa

2 years~3 wks processing$45 fee$200 all-inRenewableFamily ok
Documents required
  • US Passport (6-Month Validity)
  • Bank Statements (3 months, certified) ·a
  • South Korea TB Test / Health Certificate
Official source

F-4 Overseas Korean Visa

2 years~3 wks processing$45 fee$200 all-inRenewableRemote work
Documents required
  • US Passport (6-Month Validity)
  • Birth Certificate (Apostilled) ·a
  • FBI Background Check ·a
  • Hague Apostille (US)
Official source

E-2 Foreign Language Instructor Visa

13 months~3 wks processing$45 fee$300 all-inRenewableFamily ok
Documents required
  • US Passport (6-Month Validity)
  • FBI Background Check ·a
  • Hague Apostille (US)
  • Employer Verification Letter (Notarized, Apostilled) ·a
  • South Korea TB Test / Health Certificate
Official source

D-8 Corporate Investment Visa

1 year~6 wks processing$45 fee$3,000 all-inRenewableFamily ok
Documents required
  • US Passport (6-Month Validity)
  • Bank Statements (3 months, certified) ·a
  • FBI Background Check ·a
  • Hague Apostille (US)
Official source

D-8-4 Technology Startup Visa (OASIS)

1 year~4 wks processing$45 fee$2,000 all-inRenewableFamily ok
Documents required
  • US Passport (6-Month Validity)
  • FBI Background Check ·a
  • Hague Apostille (US)
Official source

E-7 Specially Designated Activities (Skilled Worker) Visa

1 year$1,900/mo~4 wks processing$45 fee$300 all-inRenewableFamily ok
Documents required
  • US Passport (6-Month Validity)
  • Employer Verification Letter (Notarized, Apostilled) ·a
  • South Korea TB Test / Health Certificate
  • FBI Background Check ·a
  • Hague Apostille (US)
Official source

F-1-D Workation (Digital Nomad) Visa

1 year$5,400/mo~3 wks processing$45 fee$400 all-inRenewableRemote workFamily ok
Documents required
  • US Passport (6-Month Validity)
  • Employer Verification Letter (Notarized, Apostilled) ·a
  • Bank Statements (3 months, certified) ·a
  • FBI Background Check ·a
  • Hague Apostille (US)
  • Health Insurance Proof (Costa Rica-valid)
Official source

F-3 Dependent Family Visa

1 year~3 wks processing$45 fee$200 all-inRenewable
Documents required
  • US Passport (6-Month Validity)
  • Marriage Certificate (Apostilled) ·a
  • Birth Certificate (Apostilled) ·a
Official source

F-6 Marriage Visa

1 year~6 wks processing$45 fee$400 all-inRenewableRemote workFamily ok
Documents required
  • US Passport (6-Month Validity)
  • Marriage Certificate (Apostilled) ·a
  • FBI Background Check ·a
  • Hague Apostille (US)
  • South Korea TB Test / Health Certificate
Official source

F-5 Permanent Residence

Varies~12 wks processing$170 fee$400 all-inRenewableRemote workFamily ok
Documents required
  • US Passport (6-Month Validity)
  • South Korea Residence Card (외국인등록증, formerly Alien Registration Card)
  • FBI Background Check ·a
  • Hague Apostille (US)
  • South Korea Criminal Record Certificate (범죄경력회보서)
Official source

Visa-Free Entry / K-ETA (B-2 Tourist)

3 months
Documents required
  • US Passport (6-Month Validity)
Official source

Naturalisation (Korean Citizenship)

Varies~78 wks processing$230 fee$800 all-inRemote workFamily ok
Documents required
  • US Passport (6-Month Validity)
  • South Korea Residence Card (외국인등록증, formerly Alien Registration Card)
  • FBI Background Check ·a
  • Hague Apostille (US)
  • South Korea Criminal Record Certificate (범죄경력회보서)
  • Birth Certificate (Apostilled) ·a
Official source

Which route is right for you?

Answer 3 questions and Nomad picks the best-fit visa for your work, timeline, and family, then builds the full document checklist and a 90-day plan to Seoul, South Korea.

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