BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 14. Kazakhstan has
been officially included in South Korea's Employment Permit System
(EPS), opening new opportunities for Kazakh citizens to obtain
legal and organized employment in the country.


This was announced by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Labor and Social
Protection of the Population, citing a decision adopted by the
South Korean government on August 14 at the 49th meeting of the
Committee on Foreign Labor Policy.


According to the ministry, Kazakhstan will become the 18th
country participating in the E-9 system. Central Asia is also
represented in the program by Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and
Tajikistan.


The recruitment of Kazakh workers under the system is expected
to begin in 2028. Before that, the two countries will need to
complete a number of organizational procedures, including signing
an intergovernmental memorandum of understanding and establishing
an EPS-TOPIK center in Kazakhstan for Korean-language testing.


"Participation in the EPS will allow citizens of Kazakhstan to
apply for official employment in South Korea within a procedure
established by the two countries," the ministry said.


The ministry noted that Kazakhstan's inclusion in the EPS is the
result of work carried out since 2023 to create new opportunities
for legal, safe and organized employment abroad.







In January 2026, a South Korean delegation of experts visited
Kazakhstan to assess the country's readiness to launch the system.
The assessment covered the establishment of an EPS center, language
testing, professional skills assessment, medical examinations, and
informing citizens about South Korean legislation.


Following the assessment, the South Korean side recognized
Kazakhstan's readiness to participate in the system, including the
availability of state and public institutions capable of ensuring a
fair and transparent selection process, as well as the necessary
infrastructure for language training, medical examinations and the
operation of an EPS center.


Under the EPS, candidates will undergo language testing,
professional skills assessment and medical examinations. The
ministry emphasized that the new mechanism will ensure worker
selection through an official system rather than through informal
intermediaries.


The ministry also warned citizens against paying intermediaries
offering "guaranteed employment in Korea" or promising to speed up
the selection process before the official launch of the
program.


Information on registration dates, eligibility requirements,
testing procedures, and other stages will be provided through the
ministry's official channels.