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.
United States to 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.
How you can legally move to South Korea
13 visa routes into South Korea, every route the knowledge graph maps, unranked. The numbers that decide the route: income floor, timeline, filing costs, and who comes with you.
| Route | Income floor | Timeline | Costs | Family & work | About & documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F-2-7 Points-Based Residence Visa | Varies | 3 years~4 wks processing · Renewable | $100 fee$300 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A points-based residence permit for qualifying foreign workers in South Korea, granting open work rights and a fast track to permanent residence after 3 years. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Employer Verification Letter (Notarized, Apostilled) ·a, FBI Background Check ·a, Hague Apostille (US) Official source |
| D-2 Student Visa | Varies | 2 years~3 wks processing · Renewable | $45 fee$200 all-in | Family ok | A student residence visa for foreigners enrolled in degree programs at Korean universities, from associate to doctorate level, with a path toward long-term residency after graduation. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Bank Statements (3 months, certified) ·a, South Korea TB Test / Health Certificate Official source |
| F-4 Overseas Korean Visa | Varies | 2 years~3 wks processing · Renewable | $45 fee$200 all-in | Remote work ok | A long-term residence visa for overseas Korean diaspora and their lineal descendants that grants open work rights and is indefinitely renewable in roughly two-year stays. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Birth Certificate (Apostilled) ·a, FBI Background Check ·a, Hague Apostille (US) Official source |
| E-2 Foreign Language Instructor Visa | Varies | 13 months~3 wks processing · Renewable | $45 fee$300 all-in | Family ok | An employer-sponsored residence visa for citizens of seven English-speaking countries to teach language at South Korean hagwons, public schools, or universities, lasting about 13 months and renewable with a contract. Documents: 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 | Varies | 1 year~6 wks processing · Renewable | $45 fee$3,000 all-in | Family ok | A residence visa for foreign founders who invest at least ₩100 million in a Korean corporation, own at least 10% of voting shares, and actively manage the business. Documents: 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) | Varies | 1 year~4 wks processing · Renewable | $45 fee$2,000 all-in | Family ok | A founder visa for technology entrepreneurs who qualify through a points system based on IP, credentials, and coursework instead of a capital requirement, requiring incorporation of a new Korean tech company. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), FBI Background Check ·a, Hague Apostille (US) Official source |
| E-7 Specially Designated Activities (Skilled Worker) Visa | $1,900/mo | 1 year~4 wks processing · Renewable | $45 fee$300 all-in | Family ok | Employer-sponsored work residence visa for foreign professionals hired by a Korean entity in one of 80-plus approved occupation codes, renewable annually. Documents: 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 | $5,400/mo | 1 year~3 wks processing · Renewable | $45 fee$400 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A one-year renewable residence permit for remote workers employed abroad who earn at least USD 65,000 per year and want to live legally in South Korea for up to two years. Documents: 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 | Varies | 1 year~3 wks processing · Renewable | $45 fee$200 all-in | A residence visa for the spouse and unmarried minor children of South Korea work and study visa holders, granting dependent status with no work rights without separate permission. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Marriage Certificate (Apostilled) ·a, Birth Certificate (Apostilled) ·a Official source | |
| F-6 Marriage Visa | Varies | 1 year~6 wks processing · Renewable | $45 fee$400 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A residence permit for spouses of Korean nationals that grants open work rights immediately and leads to naturalization eligibility after just 2 years of marital residence. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Marriage Certificate (Apostilled) ·a, FBI Background Check ·a, Hague Apostille (US), South Korea TB Test / Health Certificate Official source |
| Visa-Free Entry / K-ETA (B-2 Tourist) | Varies | 3 months | Varies | A short-stay tourist entry allowing US passport holders to visit South Korea for up to 90 days, with no work rights and no path to residence. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity) Official source | |
| F-5 Permanent Residence | Varies | Varies~12 wks processing · Renewable | $170 fee$400 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | Permanent residence permit for South Korea granting indefinite stay and open employment across 27 sub-categories, each with its own residence, income, and integration requirements. Documents: 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 |
| Naturalisation (Korean Citizenship) | Varies | Varies~78 wks processing | $230 fee$800 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A path to full Korean citizenship for long-term residents, marriage migrants, and former nationals, generally requiring renunciation of prior nationality within one year. Documents: 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 |
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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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