South Korea•AsiaE-8 — Seasonal Worker Visa (E-8)
At a Glance
2–4 weeks
USD $60
8 months
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
Job offer required
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Seasonal farm and fishing worker visa for up to 8 months, available through local government MOUs or family of marriage migrants.
The E-8 Seasonal Worker Visa is South Korea's temporary work permit for agricultural and fishing laborers selected through government-to-government MOUs or family ties to marriage immigrants. Applicants must be aged 19+ (30-55 for MOU track) with farming or fishing experience and good health, selected by a Korean employer through official channels or qualifying kinship.
The visa permits stays up to eight months (240 days per instance) and is renewable. The standard application fee is USD 60 for single-entry visas of 91+ days. Processing takes 2-4 weeks via the nearest Korean diplomatic mission. Job offers are required; dependents are permitted to reside, though spouses cannot independently work.
This visa is ideal for experienced agricultural or fishing workers from MOU partner countries seeking seasonal employment, or for younger relatives of Korean F-6 visa holders looking for temporary income-generating work opportunities.
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 8 months |
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
For MOU track: Must be aged 30 to 55 years old and engaged in farming or fishing in home country.
For family-of-marriage-migrant track (F-6 relative within 4th-degree kinship) or overseas Korean track: Must be 19 or older.
Must be in good health (no active tuberculosis, contagious diseases, or history of drug use).
Must have a clean criminal record.
Must be selected through an official MOU between a Korean local government and a foreign local government, or be a relative of a marriage immigrant (F-6 visa holder) within the 4th degree of kinship, or already hold qualifying status in Korea (D-1, D-2, D-4, D-10, F-1, F-3).
Must have a valid labor contract or seasonal work arrangement with a Korean employer approved by the local government.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Valid passport
Completed visa application form
Passport-sized photograph
Standard labor contract
Proof of industrial accident insurance enrollment
Seasonal labor participation application
Employer confirmation letter
Certificate of accommodation and residence
Notarized birth certificate and educational qualifications
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Up to 8 months total stay across renewable periods, allowing multiple seasonal work contracts over years
- Dual qualification: government MOU selection (ages 18-45) or family sponsorship via F-6 marriage immigrant relatives
- Affordable fees (USD 40 for contracts under 90 days) with fast 2-4 week processing through diplomatic missions
- Full legal work status with Korean labor protections, minimum wage, and mandatory industrial accident insurance
- Employment in agriculture, fishing, forestry, and food processing with employer housing and fair compensation
Worth Knowing
- Requires government MOU preapproval or family tie to F-6 visa holder (4th-degree kinship); cannot self-sponsor
- Age limits: 18-45 for MOU track (younger workers need family sponsorship alternative pathway)
- Employer sponsorship mandatory; visa locked to specific Korean employer and approved sectors only
- No permanent residency path after employment ends; visa expires with contract termination
- Failed TB screening or criminal background check results in immediate visa denial
Application Process
Be selected by a Korean local government through the official MOU or family-based track
Receive Visa Issuance Number (사증발급번호) from the Korean employer/local government
Apply at the nearest Korean diplomatic mission with required documents (application form, passport, photo, medical certificate, TB screening certificate, NBI clearance if applicable)
Pay the visa fee
Receive E-8 visa from the diplomatic mission and travel to Korea
Application Forms
| Visa Application Form (Standard) | — |
Related visas
More visas in South Korea
Work visas in other countries
Ready to see if the E-8 — Seasonal Worker Visa (E-8) is your visa path?
Discover how your answers compare with the published requirements. 2 minutes. Free to use.
Start Visa Discovery