The short version
- Namibia has the lower entry bar: €1,720 per month versus €4,030 for South Korea.
- South Korea grants a longer initial stay (12 months vs 6), and it is renewable.
- Tax treatment differs: Namibia — territorial taxation; South Korea — standard resident taxation. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.
| Criteria | Namibia DNV | South Korea F-1-D Workation |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income / month | €1,720 (better) | €4,030 |
| Income basis | Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) | Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) |
| Initial duration | 6 months | 1 year (better) |
| Renewable | No | Yes (better) |
| Maximum total stay | 6 months | 2 years |
| Path to permanent residence | No | No |
| Path to citizenship | No | No |
| Family inclusion | Yes | Yes |
| Working for local clients | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Tax treatment | Territorial taxation | Standard resident taxation |
| Health insurance | Required (explicit) | Required (explicit), min. €70,000 |
| Insurance duration required | Full visa period | Full visa period |
| Application fee | ≈ €175 | ≈ €40 (better) |
| Where to apply | Online | Embassy / consulate, In country |
| Processing time | 2–4 weeks | 3–4 weeks |
Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.
Full guide
Namibia DNV →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Full guide
South Korea F-1-D Workation →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Don't forget insurance
Both programs have their own health-insurance rules — we match plans against each one's published requirement, with the evidence shown.
Sources
- Government Digital Nomad Visa - Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government NIPDB Digital Nomad Visa - income thresholds (USD 2,000 / 1,000 / 500), 6-month non-renewable, NAD 3,300 fee, required documents (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government NIPDB Digital Nomad Visa - insurance requirement (valid international health and travel insurance for duration of stay) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media Namibia Digital Nomad Visa - Citizen Remote (launch Oct 2022, email application, income via payslips/contracts not savings) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Namibia's Digital Nomad Visa and the Nomads' Namibian tax implications - Hugo van den Heever (tax practitioner; source-based tax, DTA list) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media Namibia Digital Nomad Visa: Benefits, Requirements & Apply - Freaking Nomads (processing time ~2-4 weeks, non-renewable, 12-month reapply rule, email application) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- International organisation Universal Health Coverage on the Horizon in Namibia - Abt Global (public ~80% coverage, private ~20%) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- International organisation Cabinet approves universal health cover policy in Namibia - P4H Network (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Digital Nomad (Workcation) Visa - Korea Immigration Service (Ministry of Justice) guidance document (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government F-1-D Workation (Digital Nomad) Visa - Visa Requirements, Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government (F-1-D) Workation (Digital Nomad) Pilot Program - Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Embassy Notice on the Extension of Workation (Digital Nomad) Visa Test Operation Period - Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm South Korea Digital Nomad Visa for Americans Explained: Requirements, Costs, and Tax Rules - Greenback Tax Services (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media Korean Won (KRW) to Euro (EUR) Exchange Rate History for 2026 - Exchange-Rates.org (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media US Dollar (USD) to Euro (EUR) Exchange Rate History for 2026 - Exchange-Rates.org (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15