Japan vs South Korea: which digital nomad visa fits you?

Japan Digital Nomad Visa and South Korea Workation Visa, side by side. Every figure comes from the official government source, with the date we last checked it.

Income: Different tests
Family: Japan: Yes · South Korea: Yes
Renewable: Japan: No · South Korea: Yes

	JapanDigital Nomad Visa	South KoreaWorkation Visa
Minimum income	≈ $5,260/mo¥10,000,000 / year	No fixed USD figure
Official rule	JPY 10,000,000 per year	1× to 2× Korea's GNI per capita (KRW 52,416,000 in 2026), depending on age and region; 1× for ages 18–34 outside the Seoul area, 1.5× for 18–34 in the Seoul area or 35+ outside it, 2× for 35+ in the Seoul area
Stay	6 months	1 year, extendable 1 year at a time up to 3 years
Renewable	No	Yes
Family	Yes	Yes
Fees	Not confirmed	Not confirmed
Official source	mofa.go.jp ↗Verified, checked Oct 19, 2026	overseas.mofa.go.kr ↗Verified, checked Oct 21, 2026

USD figures are approximate (FX Oct 20, 2026). The official currency figure is what the authority applies.

Key differences

Japan asks for JPY 10 million a year of your own income. South Korea’s bar depends on age and where you live: 1× to 2× Korea’s GNI per capita (KRW 52,416,000 in 2026).
Japan gives 6 months with no extension; you can come back on the same status after 6 months outside Japan. South Korea gives 1 year, extendable a year at a time up to 3 years.
Both allow a spouse and children. South Korea needs 1+ year with your current foreign employer and doesn’t accept freelancers; Japan is open only to nationals of eligible countries.
Both require private medical insurance: JPY 10 million of cover in Japan; SGD 150,000 on the Singapore embassy’s South Korea checklist.

Quick answers

Which needs less income, Japan or South Korea?

They test different things, so there's no like-for-like ranking. Japan Digital Nomad Visa: JPY 10,000,000 per year (mofa.go.jp, checked Oct 19, 2026). South Korea Workation Visa: 1× to 2× Korea's GNI per capita (KRW 52,416,000 in 2026), depending on age and region; 1× for ages 18–34 outside the Seoul area, 1.5× for 18–34 in the Seoul area or 35+ outside it, 2× for 35+ in the Seoul area (overseas.mofa.go.kr, checked Oct 21, 2026).

Which lets you stay longer, Japan or South Korea?

Japan Digital Nomad Visa: 6 months. This visa cannot be extended. You can come back on the same status once 6 months have passed since you left Japan. South Korea Workation Visa: Extendable 1 year at a time, up to 3 years in total.

Can I bring my family on the Japan or South Korea visa?

Japan Digital Nomad Visa: yes, family members can be included. South Korea Workation Visa: yes, family members can be included.

How much do the Japan and South Korea visas cost?

Japan Digital Nomad Visa: not confirmed on the official source. South Korea Workation Visa: not confirmed on the official source.

Full official notes

Japan Digital Nomad Visa

No extension. You can stay on this status again once 6 months have passed since you left Japan (Immigration Services Agency). No residence card is issued. Annual income of JPY 10M+ is the applicant’s own income at the time of applying. Private medical insurance with JPY 10M+ cover for the whole stay required. Only nationals of eligible countries/regions (ISA list). Spouse/child visa available.

Sources: mofa.go.jp · moj.go.jp

South Korea Workation Visa

Made a permanent program on 30 June 2026 (Ministry of Justice); the pilot used a flat 2× GNI test and a 2-year maximum. Applicants with spouse/minor children: 2× GNI in the Seoul area, 1.5× elsewhere. Must have worked 1+ year for the current foreign employer; freelancers not eligible. Medical insurance of SGD 150,000 (Singapore embassy) required; register at a local immigration office within 90 days of arrival. National Health Insurance applies after 6 months unless you have equivalent cover.

Sources: overseas.mofa.go.kr · moj.go.kr

Not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the issuing authority before you apply. How we verify