South Korea extends legal exit programme for undocumented Kazakh workers

Kazakh citizens working in the Republic of Korea without official authorisation can now voluntarily leave the country without fines or re-entry bans until the end of February 2026.

The extension follows negotiations between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population (MLSP) and South Korea’s Ministry of Justice, Caliber.Az reports via Kazakh media. 

The initiative aims to help Kazakh nationals regularise their status and mitigate the consequences of previous legal violations.

The programme excludes individuals who have committed criminal offenses, are subject to forced expulsion, or have been in an illegal status since December 1, 2025.

Eligible participants must provide a passport, a voluntary departure application, and a plane ticket, and submit advance notice through Korean immigration offices 3–15 days before departure.

By Sabina Mammadli