South Korea Adds Kazakhstan to Employment Permit System

South Korea has officially expanded its Employment Permit System (EPS) to include Kazakhstan, bringing the total number of sending countries to 18. This decision was made during a meeting of the Foreign Workforce Policy Committee, chaired by Lim Ki-geun, Minister for Government Policy Coordination, on 14 August 2026.

The EPS allows South Korea to bring in foreign workers on E-9 visas without private recruitment agencies. Each participating country signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with South Korea to ensure transparency in the selection and dispatching of workers.

Kazakhstan's inclusion followed a formal review process that assessed its infrastructure, including pre-employment training facilities and health checkup facilities. Kazakhstan also committed to measures to prevent illegal residency among its workers in South Korea.

The expansion aims to diversify the pool of sending countries and respond effectively to labor demand in specific sectors while strengthening bilateral ties with Kazakhstan.