I plan to spend 2-3 months per year living in Korea?

For spending 2 to 3 months per year in Korea, your visa options depend on nationality and purpose. Most countries get visa-free entry for 30 to 90 days under the K-ETA system (apply online before flying for 10,000 won, valid 3 years for multiple entries). The K-ETA covers tourism, family visits, and short business meetings. If you're staying close to or over 90 days, the C-3-1 short-term visit visa from a Korean embassy gives single or multiple entries up to 90 days at a time.

For recurring annual stays, the C-3-9 multiple entry short-term visa is ideal, valid 3 to 5 years with 30 to 90 days per visit. If you have Korean heritage, the F-4 overseas Korean visa gives essentially unlimited stays. Digital nomads should look at the new D-8-4 (Workation Visa) introduced in 2024, valid up to 2 years for remote workers earning above 85 million won annually. For housing during these stays, sites like Airbnb, Mr.Mansion, Goshipages, and Naver Cafe boards have monthly rentals from 700,000 won upward in Seoul. Consider opening a Korean bank account during your first stay (KEB Hana Bank's tourist account works without ARC), grab a long-term SIM from KT or SK Telecom, and the T-money transit card stays valid forever between visits.