The E-8 seasonal worker visa

E-8 is the seasonal worker status for busy farming and fishing seasons. Local governments run it and the stay is short.

Who this covers

• Seasonal workers selected by a local government
• Family members abroad of marriage migrants, and other locally defined categories
• Selection methods and quotas differ by local government

Steps

1. Check the local government's announcement, on the city or county website or through a marriage migrant family.
2. Go through the selection process.
3. Obtain the visa and enter Korea.
4. Sign the standard labour contract. Check wages, hours and accommodation.
5. Work for the set period and depart.

What you need

• Passport
• Selection documents from the local government
• The standard labour contract
• Health documents if required

Where to go

• The city or county office seasonal work department
• HiKorea www.hikorea.go.kr · 1345
• 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labor (wages and conditions)
• 1577-1366 Danuri Helpline

Questions people ask

I wasn't paid. Seasonal workers are protected by the Labor Standards Act. Contact 1350 and tell the local government department.

The accommodation differs from the contract. The local government is responsible for oversight. Photograph it and tell the department.

My period ended but I want to keep working. Whether extension is possible depends on the scheme and the local government. Staying on your own means overstaying. Always check with the department and 1345.

Can I come again? Completing the season properly and returning home makes reselection the following year more likely.

Take care

Always depart within the period. Absconding destroys your next opportunity and harms you, the family who invited you and the local government. If something is hard, don't run — tell 1350, 1345 or the local government first.

Related

e9-visa-basics · labor-standards-basics · unpaid-wages-report · overstay-consequences

Source

Ministry of Justice HiKorea www.hikorea.go.kr / As of 2026-08