South Korea may suspend visas for Uzbek citizens over rising illegal migration

South Korea is reportedly considering a complete suspension of visa issuance for Uzbek citizens due to an increasing number of migrants overstaying their permitted period, according to Uzbek Ambassador to South Korea, Alisher Abdusalomov.

Ambassador Abdusalomov highlighted that the issue affects both labour migrants and students. He noted that some Uzbek citizens sent to work in specific sectors, particularly agriculture, have been leaving their assigned jobs without authorisation, effectively becoming undocumented workers. This, he said, causes financial and operational difficulties for South Korean employers and could undermine trust in formal labour migration programmes, potentially discouraging companies from hiring Uzbek workers in the future, Caliber.Az reports per Uzbek media. 

A similar pattern has been observed in the education sector. Some young Uzbeks who travel to South Korea to attend language courses or universities reportedly drop out and remain in the country illegally in order to seek employment. The ambassador indicated that such actions damage Uzbekistan's international reputation and have led to certain educational institutions being placed on so-called “blacklists.”

Abdusalomov also emphasised that official labour migration from Uzbekistan to South Korea is conducted exclusively through the Uzbekistan Migration Agency, and not via private recruitment firms or intermediaries.

According to the embassy, there are currently around 100,000 Uzbek citizens in South Korea, with roughly 9% having an illegal status. Officials have reportedly warned that if this proportion reaches 10%, the South Korean Ministry of Justice could move to fully suspend visa issuance for Uzbek nationals.

No formal decision has been announced by South Korean authorities at this stage.

By Sabina Mammadli