What can and can't I do with an E-8 seasonal worker visa?

With an E-8, you can only do farming or fishing work for the employer assigned by the local government. You can't do other work such as factory, construction, or restaurant work, and you can't do part-time jobs.

What you can do

• Grow and harvest crops (including simple first-stage processing linked to the harvest)
• Do first-stage cleaning and processing of fishery products
• Work only for the employer you signed an employment contract with. The local government assigns this employer.
• You can stay up to 5 months at a time. The total can't be more than 8 months.

What you can't do

• Work that is not farming or fishing (factory, construction, restaurant, delivery, etc.)
• You can't get permission for activities outside your status of stay for other work.
• You can't add a workplace. You can't work at two places at the same time.
• You must not move to work at another farm or fishing household without permission.

⚠️ When you need to change your workplace

• If your contract ends early through no fault of your own, you can change your workplace. This includes cases where the employer was at fault.
• The local government will introduce a new employer. Before you start work at the new place, you must get permission to change your workplace from the immigration office in charge. There is no fee.
• If your contract ends or you can't work, you must visit the local government or the immigration office within 15 days. If you don't, your permission to stay may be canceled.
• If your contract ends because of your own fault, such as being absent without permission, you can't change your workplace. Your permission to stay may be canceled and you may get a departure order. If this is your situation, get a consultation with the K-VISA AI administrative agent (the app's visa service).

Before you change any work, always ask the local government officer first. For exact information, check HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) or the Foreigner Support Center (외국인종합안내센터) at 1345.