Republic of Korea 2026 Nonprofessional Foreign Worker Quota

Key Point  

• The Republic of Korea confirmed its quota for non-professional foreign workers for 2026 

Nonprofessional Worker Quota 2026 

The Republic of Korea has confirmed its 2026 quota for non-professional foreign workers, authorizing a total of 191,000 entries under the E-9 and E-8 visa categories, according to an announcement by the Office for Government Policy Coordination.  

The quota is intended to address ongoing labor shortages across key industries and to provide flexibility for employers facing fluctuating workforce demands. 

Breakdown of 2026 Quota 

• Total quota: 191,000 workers 
  • 80,000 Employment Permit System workers (E‑9) 
  • 109,000 seasonal workers (E‑8) 

Sector Allocation for E‑9 Workers 

• Manufacturing: 50,000 
• Agriculture & livestock: 10,000 
• Fisheries: 7,000 
• Construction: 2,000 
• Service sector: 1,000 
• Flexible reserve: 10,000 (to respond to demand fluctuations) 

The government has also confirmed that the temporary shipbuilding quota introduced in 2023 will be merged into the manufacturing category, effective from 2026. 

Seasonal Worker Program (E‑8) 

• 109,000 workers, an increase of 13,000 from 2025 
• Expansion aims to support rural regions facing chronic labor shortages due to population decline and aging demographics. 

Domestic Helper Pilot Program 

The pilot program for foreign domestic helpers will not transition into a permanent program. However, the government will extend certain employment protections to ensure stability for current participants, including aligning employment periods with those of E‑9 workers. 

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