Taiwan vs South Korea: which digital nomad visa fits you?
Taiwan 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
- Taiwan: Not confirmed · South Korea: Yes
- Renewable
- Taiwan: Not confirmed · South Korea: Yes
| TaiwanDigital Nomad Visa | South KoreaWorkation Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income | ≈ $3,333/mo$40,000 / year | No fixed USD figure |
| Official rule | Annual salary ≥ USD 40,000 (age 30+) or ≥ USD 20,000 (age 20–29) in one of the last two years, or a digital nomad visa from another country | 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 | Not confirmed | 1 year, extendable 1 year at a time up to 3 years |
| Renewable | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Family | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Fees | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Official source | boca.gov.tw ↗Verified, checked Oct 26, 2026 | overseas.mofa.go.kr ↗Verified, checked Oct 26, 2026 |
USD figures are approximate (FX Oct 20, 2026). The official currency figure is what the authority applies.
Key differences
- Taiwan sets a flat bar: an annual salary of at least USD 40,000 (age 30+) or USD 20,000 (age 20–29) in one of the last two years, or a digital nomad visa from another country, plus a 6-month average bank balance of at least USD 10,000. South Korea’s bar is 1× to 2× its GNI per capita (KRW 52,416,000 in 2026), depending on your age and whether you live in the Seoul area.
- South Korea gives 1 year, extendable 1 year at a time up to 3 years; it became a permanent program on 30 June 2026. The Taiwanese page we check doesn’t state the stay length; from inside Taiwan, you apply at least 10 working days before your stay ends.
- Who can apply differs: South Korea needs 1+ year with your current foreign employer, and freelancers are not eligible. Taiwan is only for nationals of visa-exempt countries, and applications are reviewed by the National Development Council.
- South Korea lets a spouse and minor children come (the bar is then 2× GNI in the Seoul area, 1.5× elsewhere); the Taiwanese page doesn’t confirm family rules. Both ask for health insurance: full hospitalisation cover for the whole stay in Taiwan; in Korea, medical insurance of SGD 150,000 per the Singapore embassy, with National Health Insurance applying after 6 months unless you have equivalent cover.
Quick answers
Which needs less income, Taiwan or South Korea?
They test different things, so there's no like-for-like ranking. Taiwan Digital Nomad Visa: Annual salary ≥ USD 40,000 (age 30+) or ≥ USD 20,000 (age 20–29) in one of the last two years, or a digital nomad visa from another country (boca.gov.tw, checked Oct 26, 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 26, 2026).
Which lets you stay longer, Taiwan or South Korea?
Taiwan Digital Nomad Visa: not confirmed. South Korea Workation Visa: Extendable 1 year at a time, up to 3 years in total.
Can I bring my family on the Taiwan or South Korea visa?
Taiwan Digital Nomad Visa: not confirmed on the official page we checked. South Korea Workation Visa: yes, family members can be included.
How much do the Taiwan and South Korea visas cost?
Taiwan Digital Nomad Visa: not confirmed on the official source. South Korea Workation Visa: not confirmed on the official source.
Full official notes
Taiwan Digital Nomad Visa
Only for nationals of visa-exempt countries. Also needs 6-month average bank balance ≥ USD 10,000 and health insurance with full hospitalization cover for the whole stay. Applications are reviewed by the National Development Council; from inside Taiwan, apply at least 10 working days before your stay ends. Official page last updated 7 Aug 2026.
Sources: boca.gov.tw
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
Ambassador link
Both visas ask for health insurance
The official requirements for both programs mention health insurance. SafetyWing offers nomad insurance.
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