Agriculture & Farm Jobs in Korea (E-9/EPS): 2026 Guide
- Sector: Agriculture & Livestock (농축산업) — crop farming, greenhouses, and year-round livestock.
- Location: rural; work is physical and outdoors (livestock is year-round).
- Important: under Labor Standards Act Article 63, agriculture/livestock can be exempt from the law’s working-hour, break and holiday rules — so the daytime overtime premium may not apply. But minimum wage, the night-work premium (10pm–6am), annual paid leave and severance still apply.
- Housing: often on-farm — know the standards; container/greenhouse housing has been a real problem.
- 2026 E-9 quota: agriculture/livestock about 10,000 (of 80,000 total; set annually). Pay must meet the 2026 minimum wage (10,320 KRW/hour).
What is EPS agriculture and livestock work?
Agriculture and livestock place E-9 workers on farms — open-field crops, greenhouses (vegetables, fruit), and animal husbandry (cattle, pigs, poultry). Crop work has seasonal peaks; livestock is year-round. It is physically demanding outdoor work, often in remote areas, and the rules on working hours differ from factory work — which is the single most important thing to understand before you accept a farm job.
Who fits agriculture
Registered EPS jobseekers (age generally 18–39, EPS-TOPIK passed) who are physically fit for outdoor manual work. Some rounds add a practical test. If you have farming experience it can help, but it is not always required.
What the work is really like
Expect early starts, weather exposure (heat, cold, rain), bending and lifting, and in livestock, animal care every day of the week. Rural placement can mean isolation and fewer nearby services. Many farms provide housing on-site — which is convenient but is exactly where problems can arise (see housing below).
Working hours: the Article 63 exemption you must understand
This is the key difference from manufacturing. Under Article 63 of the Labor Standards Act, workers in agriculture and livestock can be exempted from the law’s provisions on working hours, breaks and weekly holidays. In practice this can mean:
| Provision | Factory (manufacturing) | Agriculture/livestock |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | Applies | Applies (you must still be paid it) |
| Daytime overtime/holiday premium (1.5×) | Applies (5+ staff) | May NOT apply under Article 63 |
| Night-work premium (22:00–06:00, +50%) | Applies | STILL applies — Article 63 does not remove it |
| Weekly paid rest day | Applies | May not apply the same way |
| Annual paid leave / severance | Applies | Still applies |
So a farm can lawfully ask for long daytime hours without the 1.5× overtime premium a factory would owe. But the minimum wage, the night-work premium (10pm–6am, +50%), annual paid leave and severance still apply — Article 63 only relaxes the daytime overtime/holiday and weekly-rest rules, it does not strip these. Understand this before signing — it changes your real earnings. Confirm the exact terms in your contract and with 1350.
Wages in agriculture
You must still receive at least the 2026 minimum wage of 10,320 KRW/hour. But because of the Article 63 exemption, do not assume large overtime premiums — your monthly total depends heavily on the contract. Use the calculator as a base, then adjust for your actual hours and premium terms.
→ Estimate your take-home pay with our calculator
Housing: know your rights (the container/greenhouse problem)
Korea has had real scandals where farm workers were housed in makeshift containers or inside greenhouses with high deductions and poor heating — in some tragic cases with fatal consequences in winter. Rules were tightened: provided housing must meet basic standards, and there are limits on what can be deducted. Red flags: a “dormitory” that is a vinyl greenhouse or shipping container, no proper heating, or large housing deductions. Raise these with a foreign-worker support centre or 1350 before you are trapped in a contract.
Safety and your rights
You are covered by industrial accident insurance (산재) for work injuries (machinery, animals, chemicals/pesticides). Pesticide safety matters — insist on protective equipment. Unpaid wages are recoverable via 1350. The Article 63 exemption limits overtime pay, but it does not remove your right to the minimum wage, to safety, or to report abuse.
How to get selected
- Pass EPS-TOPIK and any practical test.
- Indicate agriculture/livestock as your sector.
- Be selected by a farm employer from the roster.
- Read the contract’s hours, housing and deduction terms carefully before signing.
Scams and mistakes
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| “Dormitory” is a greenhouse/container | Sub-standard housing | Refuse; report to a support centre / 1350 |
| Endless hours, no extra pay | Article 63 exemption misused | Know it before signing; negotiate terms |
| Paid below minimum wage | Illegal — minimum still applies | Report to 1350 with payslips |
FAQ
Do I get overtime pay on a farm?
Not necessarily — under Article 63, agriculture/livestock can be exempt from the daytime overtime premium. But the minimum wage and the night-work premium (10pm–6am, +50%) still apply, as do annual leave and severance.
Is the minimum wage still guaranteed?
Yes. Article 63 does not remove the minimum wage.
What about housing?
Provided housing must meet basic standards. A greenhouse or container with high deductions is a red flag.
Is livestock different from crops?
Yes — livestock is year-round daily care; crops are more seasonal.
Is farm work a path to E-7-4?
It can qualify, but manufacturing tends to score higher. Check the current points.
What if I am hurt by machinery or an animal?
Industrial accident insurance covers you; get treatment and apply to Comwel.
Can I change to another farm or sector?
Only under specific conditions and within limits.
Is it very isolated?
Often yes — rural placement means fewer services nearby. Plan for it.
Official sources
Related guides: E-9 / EPS hub · Manufacturing · Agriculture · Fishing · Construction · Wage calculator.
Official sources: EPS / HRD Korea, Ministry of Employment and Labor, HiKorea, Comwel (industrial accident). Information current as of 2026 and subject to change — verify before you act. After arriving in Korea, find jobs in English on 114114AI.