About the scheme
The program allows legal hiring of foreign workers for short period to address chronic labor shortages during the busy farming and fishing season.
Introduced by
Local governments intending to introduce Seasonal Workers (Si, Gun, Gu)
Quota limit
- Quota per household
- Maximum 4 workers
Household quota is subject to change in case many applications are made by local governments.
- Quota per local government
- The total number of seasonal workers and the quotas per local government are determined after comprehensively assessing local governments’ management capacity, preventive measures against human rights violations and absconders, etc.
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) decides on the allotment of workers by forming a consultative body with the relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.
Types of Industries Allowed to SWP
- Agriculture
- Industries acknowledged by the Minister of Justice, including the ones that require intensive work for less than 90 days in principle as there are seasonal factors
- Fishery
- Industries acknowledged by the Minister of Justice, including the marine products processing industry which requires work for less than 90 days in principle as there are seasonal factors
Allotment Time
Allotment of workers is made in the first and second half of the year (2 times annually)
Entry Procedures
-
Allot ment
MOJ
-
Selection
Local government
-
Apply for Confirmation of Visa Issuance
Local government
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Issue Confirmation of Visa Issuance
Immaigration Office
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Visa Issuance
Diplomatic Mission Abroad
-
Entry
Impact
The Seasonal Worker Program serves to relieve labor shortages in farming and fishing communities by providing customized, additional foreign workforce.