From 23 January 2026, the amended Immigration Act (출입국관리법) took effect, making it possible to punish people who illegally arrange or broker the employment of foreign seasonal workers. Asylum seekers and humanitarian stay holders also need to be careful not to suffer harm such as demands for placement fees, confiscation of passports, or deductions from wages when they are introduced to seasonal work.

What changed

  • Only the national government, local governments, and specialized seasonal work institutions designated by the Ministry of Justice may be involved in selecting, placing, or hiring seasonal workers (Immigration Act Article 19-5, paragraph 9).
  • Anyone who violates this and is involved in selection, placement, or hiring faces imprisonment of up to 3 years or a fine of up to 30,000,000 won (Immigration Act Article 94, subparagraph 11-2).
  • The Ministry of Justice said it would designate dedicated investigators at immigration offices across the country to handle cases of illegal labor brokering for seasonal work.

Signs of an illegal broker

  • An individual or an ordinary company approaches you offering to introduce seasonal work or to handle entry and employment procedures for you
  • Someone asks for money in the name of a job placement fee, entry fee, deposit, or similar

In these cases, before you pay any money, check whether it is genuine with the Immigration Contact Center at 1345 or the immigration office with jurisdiction.

Demands to hold your passport and Residence Card

It is prohibited by law for employers or brokers to take your passport or Residence Card (Alien Registration Card), or force you to hand it over, as security for an employment contract or for repaying a debt (Immigration Act Article 33-3, subparagraph 1). If your ID card is taken or not returned, you can ask the police or the immigration office for help.

Wage deductions and working conditions

  • Broker fees or deposits that are not in your labor contract must not be deducted from your wages at will.
  • If accommodation or meal costs are deducted, check your labor contract and pay slip.
  • If you are paid less than the minimum wage or are not paid, you can report it to the labor office.

Changing employers

As a rule, seasonal workers work for a designated employer at a designated workplace, so you must not move to another workplace on your own. If there are problems such as unpaid wages, assault, breach of contract, or closure of the workplace, first ask the local government department in charge of seasonal work or the immigration office with jurisdiction whether you can change employers.

Seasonal work for asylum seekers and humanitarian stay holders

Asylum seekers and humanitarian stay holders cannot automatically take part under the regular seasonal worker status of stay (E-8). You can only work within the scope of your current status of stay and work permission. Before you start a seasonal job, be sure to check with the immigration office with jurisdiction or 1345 whether you can work and whether you need separate permission.

Reporting and contact

  • Unpaid wages and working conditions problems: Ministry of Employment and Labor 1350
  • Urgent crimes such as assault, threats, or seizure of your passport: police 112
  • Residence, the seasonal work program, and illegal broker problems: Immigration Contact Center 1345 or the immigration office with jurisdiction