DistantNews
Kazakhstan Nears Deal to Send Workers to South Korea Under EPS Program
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan /Economy & Trade

Kazakhstan Nears Deal to Send Workers to South Korea Under EPS Program

From Tengrinews · (7m ago) English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Kazakhstan is in the final stages of negotiations with South Korea to join the Employment Permit System (EPS), a legal framework for foreign workers.
  • The process involves domestic approval in South Korea, infrastructure inspection, and a final interagency decision, with Kazakhstan having completed the first stage.
  • If approved, Kazakhstanis could work in sectors like manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and fisheries, with potential starting salaries around $1,000 per month.

Tengrinews.kz is closely following Kazakhstan's progress in joining South Korea's Employment Permit System (EPS), a significant opportunity for our citizens seeking overseas employment. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection has provided crucial updates, confirming that Kazakhstan has successfully navigated the initial domestic approval phase. This system, established in 2004, is designed to regulate temporary labor migration for low-skilled workers, addressing labor shortages in South Korea while aiming to protect migrant rights and minimize corruption.

Kazakhstan is continuing negotiations with South Korea on joining the Employment Permit System (EPS), a legal employment system for foreign workers.

— Tengrinews.kzIntroduction to the article detailing the ongoing process.

The ongoing negotiations, particularly the recent visit by a South Korean delegation in January 2026 for infrastructure inspection, signal a positive trajectory. The focus on establishing dedicated EPS centers and testing facilities in Almaty and Almaty Region, along with medical examination centers in Konaev, demonstrates a commitment to a structured and transparent process. This meticulous approach, including language and legislation testing, is vital for ensuring that Kazakhstanis are well-prepared for work in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and fisheries.

Kazakhstan has already passed the first stage — this was confirmed by the Korean authorities in October 2025.

— Ministry of LaborConfirmation of the initial phase of negotiations being completed.

While a definitive timeline for deployment remains unclear, the potential for earnings starting at approximately $1,000 per month is a strong incentive. The EPS's recognition by the UN Public Service Award in 2011 for its anti-corruption efforts and migration management further bolsters confidence in the program's integrity. Tengrinews.kz will continue to provide comprehensive coverage as Kazakhstan moves closer to this important bilateral agreement, which promises to open new avenues for economic opportunity for our citizens.

The minimum salary for foreign workers in South Korea may start from $1,000 (458,000 tenge at the current exchange rate), depending on the worker’s qualifications.

— Ministry of LaborInformation regarding potential earnings for Kazakhstanis working in South Korea.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tengrinews in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog