E-8 Seasonal Workers Can Apply for Exemption From Korea’s Long-Term Care Insurance

Foreign seasonal workers in South Korea can apply to be excluded from the long-term care insurance component attached to workplace health insurance.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare said an amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Long-Term Care Insurance Act was approved by the Cabinet on May 6, 2026. At the time of the announcement, the government said the decree was scheduled to be promulgated on May 13 and to take effect on the date of promulgation.

Under the previous framework, Korean and foreign residents enrolled in National Health Insurance were generally enrolled in long-term care insurance as well. E-8 seasonal workers, however, are employed in agriculture and fisheries for periods of up to eight months and are unlikely to use long-term care services during that stay.

Ministry data showed that 914 seasonal workers were registered as workplace health-insurance subscribers as of December 2025. They had paid approximately KRW 398 million in long-term care premiums, while no use of long-term care services had been reported.

Foreign workplace subscribers with comparable statuses—including E-9 non-professional employment, H-2 working visit and D-3 industrial training—have been able to request exclusion since 2009. The amendment extends that option to E-8 seasonal workers.

Exemption is not automatic. The worker or the employer handling the insurance procedure should check the application form and supporting documents with a local National Health Insurance Service branch. The ministry said workers already registered as workplace subscribers would also be covered by the amended rule.

Exclusion from long-term care insurance does not cancel National Health Insurance enrollment. Workers should distinguish the health-insurance contribution from the long-term care contribution when checking payslips and insurance notices.

What workers and employers should check

• The measure applies to E-8 seasonal workers enrolled as workplace subscribers in National Health Insurance.
• A separate application is required; the contribution is not removed automatically.
• National Health Insurance enrollment continues even when long-term care coverage is excluded.
• Confirm the current application procedure and required documents with the National Health Insurance Service.
• Review payslips to distinguish health-insurance and long-term care deductions.

Correction note

The original K-Study Times Key Points described May 6 as the effective date. May 6 was the Cabinet approval date. The ministry’s announcement stated that the decree was scheduled for promulgation on May 13 and would take effect upon promulgation.