The South Korean government plans to introduce a medium-term seasonal worker program for the agriculture and fisheries sector.



Ministry of Justice said Wednesday a revision to the immigration control laws was passed at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.







The new E-8 visa would allow for the holder to stay as long as five months. This is an extension from the short-term work visa, C-4, whose length of stay is up to 90 days.The ministry said the newly instituted visa would help employers in rural areas find workers during high season, when the need for labor surges.“The existing short-term work permit did not reflect the recruitment needs of temporary, seasonal industries,” the ministry explained.The seasonal worker visa scheme will commence from February next year, the ministry said.By Kim Arin ( arin@heraldcorp.com