Undocumented Kazakhstanis in South Korea Can Leave Without Penalties Until Late February 2026

Kazakh citizens working in South Korea without official permission can voluntarily leave the country without fines or a re-entry ban until the end of February 2026, Orda.kz reports.

The deadline was extended after negotiations between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and South Korea’s Ministry of Justice. The program is intended to help Kazakh nationals regularize their status and reduce the consequences of immigration violations.

The program does not apply to those who have committed criminal offenses, are subject to forced deportation, or became irregular residents after December 1, 2025.

To participate, applicants need a passport, a voluntary departure application and an air ticket. Advance notice must be filed with South Korean immigration authorities 3 to 15 days before departure.

Additional information is available via the link.

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that working abroad should be done only through legal channels-licensed agencies, official programs or verified employers — to reduce the risks of fines, deportation and exploitation.

Original author: Natalya Ovchinnikova