[May 2025 Latest] Everything about the Korean Seasonal Worker (E-8) Visa! [For Foreigners Staying in Korea]

1. Eligible Applicants and Scope of Activities

• Individuals who intend to engage in employment activities in crop cultivation/harvesting (including primary processing related to cultivation/harvesting) and fishery primary processing, as prescribed by the Minister of Justice in consultation with the heads of relevant central administrative agencies, and are recognized by the Minister of Justice.

2. Maximum Stay Period Granted at Once

• 5 months (Total stay period not to exceed 8 months)

3. Activity Outside the Scope of Status of Stay

Applicant Requirements

• Registered foreigners eligible to participate in the 'Domestic Foreigner Seasonal Worker Program'.

Permission Period for Activities Outside the Scope of Status of Stay

• Within the expiry date of the applicant's period of stay, from a minimum of 1 week to a maximum of 5 months.

Required Documents ※ Fee waiver

• Integrated Application Form, Alien Registration Card, Passport
• Copy of Standard Employment Contract
• Seasonal Worker Participation Application Form
• Recommendation Letter for Student Seasonal Worker Participation (submitted by eligible individuals only)
• Certificate of Industrial Accident Insurance Enrollment or Farmers/Fishermen Safety Insurance Certificate (can submit supporting documents for change of employer or application)
• Certificate of Health Insurance Enrollment or Supporting documents for health insurance application (submitted by eligible individuals only)
• Confirmation Letter for Seasonal Worker Placement Employer
• Confirmation of Residence/Accommodation Provision (submitted by eligible individuals only)

Precautions

• Seasonal workers (C-4, E-8) are not permitted to engage in activities outside the scope of their status of stay for purposes other than seasonal work.

4. Change/Addition of Place of Employment

• Addition of places of employment is not permitted.

Reasons for Change of Place of Employment

• When the employment contract is terminated prematurely due to the employer's fault (when the employment contract is terminated prematurely through no fault of the seasonal worker).
• Change of place of employment is possible through mutual agreement between the employer and the seasonal worker before alien registration.

Required Documents

• Integrated Application Form, Passport, Alien Registration Card ※ Fee waiver for change of place of employment
• Copy of Standard Employment Contract
• Certificate of Industrial Accident Insurance Enrollment or Farmers/Fishermen Safety Insurance Certificate (can submit supporting documents for change of employer or application)
• Certificate of Health Insurance Enrollment or Supporting documents for application (submitted by eligible individuals only)
• Confirmation Letter for Seasonal Worker Placement Employer (issued by local government) ※ Previous employer must submit an employment change report to the immigration office and local government.
• Confirmation of Residence/Accommodation Provision
• For changes agreed upon before alien registration: Submitted documents ① to ⑥ + Drug Test Certificate

5. Extension of Period of Stay Permit

Procedure

• From 60 days to 30 days before the expiry date of the seasonal worker's period of stay: Apply to the competent local government → The local government will apply collectively to the competent immigration office.
• Within 30 days of the expiry date of the seasonal worker's period of stay: Apply to the competent local government, obtain a 'Recommendation Letter for Extension of Period of Stay for Seasonal Workers whose Period of Stay is Expiring', and then visit the competent immigration office to apply.

Required Documents (Fee waiver)

When visiting the local government

• Application for Recommendation for Extension of Period of Stay for Foreign Seasonal Workers (E-8)
• Passport and Alien Registration Card
• Confirmation of Residence/Accommodation Provision (※ Additional documents such as the employer's business registration certificate and lease agreement are not required)
• Employment Contract
• Employer's ID Card

When visiting the immigration office

• Passport and Alien Registration Card
• Confirmation of Residence/Accommodation Provision (※ Additional documents such as the employer's business registration certificate and lease agreement are not required)
• Employment Contract
• Employer's ID Card
• Recommendation Letter for Extension of Period of Stay for Seasonal Workers whose Period of Stay is Expiring
• Integrated Application Form

6. Alien Registration

Required Documents

• Integrated Application Form, Passport, 1 Photo (35mm x 45mm), Fee
• Confirmation of Residence/Accommodation Provision (※ Additional documents such as the employer's business registration certificate and lease agreement are not required)
• Certificate of Industrial Accident Insurance Enrollment or Farmers/Fishermen Safety Insurance Certificate (can submit supporting documents for application)
• Traveler's Insurance Certificate
• Drug Test Certificate (※ Drug test must be conducted at a medical institution designated by the Minister of Justice (check at www.hikorea.go.kr) or a public health center and healthcare center established under the 「Regional Health Act」)
• (Local Government) Accommodation Inspection Certificate (※ Temporarily implemented in 2024, submitted collectively by the local government via official document)

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※ Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q1: What kind of work can I do with an E-8 seasonal worker visa?

A1: You can engage in employment activities in crop cultivation/harvesting (including primary processing related to cultivation/harvesting) and fishery primary processing, as prescribed by the Minister of Justice in consultation with the heads of relevant central administrative agencies.

Q2: What is the duration of stay for the E-8 visa?

A2: The maximum period of stay that can be granted at once is 5 months, and the total period of stay cannot exceed 8 months.

Q3: Can I do other part-time jobs (activities outside the scope of status of stay) while working on an E-8 visa?

A3: No, seasonal workers (C-4, E-8) are not permitted to receive permission for activities outside the scope of their status of stay for purposes other than seasonal work. However, other registered foreigners participating in the 'Domestic Foreigner Seasonal Worker Program' may engage in seasonal work under specific conditions with permission for activities outside the scope of their status of stay.

Q4: What should I do if I want to change my place of employment (farm/fishery)?

A4: While adding places of employment is not allowed, changing them is possible under specific circumstances. You can change your place of employment if the employment contract is terminated due to the employer's fault or if there is mutual agreement with the employer before alien registration. When changing, you must submit related documents such as an integrated application form and a copy of the standard employment contract, and the fee is waived.

Q5: What are the required documents for alien registration for an E-8 visa?

A5: You need an Integrated Application Form, Passport, Photo, Fee, Confirmation of Residence/Accommodation Provision, Certificate of Industrial Accident Insurance Enrollment (or Farmers/Fishermen Safety Insurance Certificate), Traveler's Insurance Certificate, and Drug Test Certificate. In particular, the Drug Test Certificate must be obtained from a medical institution designated by the Minister of Justice or a public health center.

Q6: How do I apply for an extension of my period of stay?

A6: The procedure differs depending on the application timing. If you apply to the local government between 60 and 30 days before your period of stay expires, the local government will apply collectively to the immigration office. If you apply within 30 days of the expiry date, you must obtain a 'Recommendation Letter for Extension of Period of Stay for Seasonal Workers' from the local government and then visit the immigration office to apply.

Q7: Are there any fees for changing the place of employment or extending the period of stay?

A7: No, according to the provided information, fees are waived for applications to change the place of employment and extend the period of stay.

Q8: For alien registration, are additional documents like a housing contract required besides the 'Confirmation of Residence/Accommodation Provision'?

A8: No, if you submit the 'Confirmation of Residence/Accommodation Provision', additional documents such as the employer's business registration certificate or lease agreement are not required.

Q9: Is there a document that is being implemented temporarily in 2024?

A9: Yes, the '(Local Government) Accommodation Inspection Certificate' for alien registration is being implemented temporarily in 2024 and is submitted collectively by the local government via official document.

Q10: Can foreigners with other statuses of stay (e.g., international students) participate in seasonal work?

A10: Yes, registered foreigners participating in the 'Domestic Foreigner Seasonal Worker Program' can participate in seasonal work with permission for activities outside the scope of their status of stay. In this case, documents such as an integrated application form, standard employment contract, and seasonal worker participation application form are required, and a recommendation letter may be additionally required for international students. The fee is waived.