The South Korean government has officially designated Kazakhstan as a sending country for the Employment Permit System (EPS), expanding the pool of nations permitted to supply low-skilled labor to 18 countries, according to an announcement by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Kazakhstan Joins the Employment Permit System
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the 49th Foreign Labor Policy Committee chaired by Government Policy Coordination Minister Lim Ki-keun finalized the decision on August 14 to include Kazakhstan in the EPS framework. The addition brings the total number of approved sending nations to 18, up from the previous 17 countries which collectively represent a population of approximately 2.6 billion people. Kazakhstan adds another population base of roughly 21 million residents to the program.
Under the Employment Permit System, foreign workers enter South Korea on Non-Professional Employment (E-9) visas. These workers are strictly limited to designated industries, which include manufacturing, construction, agriculture and stockbreeding, fisheries, and construction waste disposal. Permitted domestic stay for these workers is capped at 4 years and 10 months.
Rationale for Expansion and Timeline
The government explained that the inclusion aims to diversify sending countries, respond more effectively to industrial labor demands on the ground, and solidify bilateral cooperation. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Kazakhstan was chosen because it maintains government and public agencies dedicated to managing labor export, ensuring public transparency and oversight. Evaluations also confirmed that the country possesses the necessary infrastructure, including pre-departure employment training facilities, EPS centers, and medical examination facilities, alongside a clear commitment to preventing illegal stays.
Workers from Kazakhstan are scheduled to begin arriving in South Korea starting in 2028. To ensure a smooth transition, the government stated it will continue working with Kazakhstan to sign bilateral EPS Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and establish local EPS centers.
Reforms to Construction Sector Labor Rules
Alongside the country expansion, the government revised how the Employment Permit System operates within the construction sector. Previously, employment permissions and hiring restrictions were restricted to individual construction sites. Reassigning foreign workers to different sites was permitted only under limited circumstances, such as when a project was completed or suspended.
Furthermore, penalties for labor law violations by employers only applied to the specific worksite where the violation occurred, rendering the restrictions largely ineffective across a contractor’s other projects. Under the newly implemented rules, employers are now permitted to reassign foreign workers to different work sites, and hiring restrictions will apply across all construction sites operated by the offending employer.
Did you know? Prior to Kazakhstan’s inclusion, the 17 existing EPS sending nations included China, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Timor-Leste, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Frequently Asked Questions
What visa do workers receive under the Employment Permit System?
Workers enter South Korea on a Non-Professional Employment (E-9) visa.
What industries are open to E-9 visa holders?
Workers are restricted to manufacturing, construction, agriculture and stockbreeding, fisheries, and construction waste disposal.
When will workers from Kazakhstan arrive in South Korea?
According to government announcements, workers from Kazakhstan are expected to arrive beginning in 2028.
How long can EPS workers legally stay in South Korea?
The domestic stay period for workers under the Employment Permit System is limited to 4 years and 10 months.
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