The Ministry of Labor, Migration, and Employment of Tajikistan (MoLMEP) announced on its Facebook page that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the dispatch and reception of workers through South Korea's Employment Permit System (EPS) was signed in Dushanbe on October 31.

“This memorandum was prepared with the national interests of both parties in mind, aimed at strengthening and sustainably developing cooperation in labor, migration, and employment, workforce training, protecting the rights and interests of foreign workers, and ensuring lawful residence for labor migrants in line with the legal frameworks of both countries.  It will also help diversify labor migration options and facilitate the organized recruitment of Tajik citizens,” the ministry stated.

Meanwhile a source within a MoLMEP says a South Korean delegation is expected to visit Dushanbe in late November or early December, and the parties may sign an agreement on labor migration.  The first group of Tajik labor migrants could potentially travel to South Korea as early as 2025.

The ministry believes that implementing this agreement will reduce the unemployment rate in Tajikistan and open a new labor market for Tajik citizens.

As it had been reported earlier, after studies and other assessments have been carried out, the Government of South Korea included Tajikistan to its Employment Permit System (EPS) as the sending country.     

Representatives of various Korean companies arrived in Dushanbe in early December last year and got acquainted with conditions of Tajikistan.

Recall, Tajik authorities announced the dispatch of the first group of migrants for seasonal work in Korea in January last ear.  At the time, based on an agreement on cooperation between Tajikistan’s Migration Service and the Korean city of Sangju, 60 Tajik nationals were sent to Korean for seasonal work in the agrarian sector.

In 2022, for the first time, based on the agreement on cooperation between Tajikistan’s MoLMEP and Hampyeong County in South Jeolla Province, South Korea, 58 Tajik citizens were recruited for seasonal work in greenhouses. 

The E-9 visa is a type of work visa issued by the South Korean government.  It is designed for foreign nationals who wish to work in specific industries that require manual or non-professional labor.  The E-9 visa is typically granted to workers from countries that have agreements with South Korea to participate in its Employment Permit System (EPS).  The EPS is a program that allows foreign workers to come to South Korea for employment in industries where there is a shortage of local labor. 

As part of the country’s EPS, the Korea E-9 visa is specifically designed for non-professional workers seeking employment in industries such as agriculture, fisheries, construction, manufacturing, and services.

The E-9 visa serves as a bridge between international workers and South Korean employers.

The primary criterion is nationality.  The applicant should not be seeking a professional job requiring specialized qualifications, certificates, or significant work experience.  The applicant should be free from any criminal background or past immigration issues with South Korea.