South Korea offers voluntary exit option for Uzbek migrants without legal status

According to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea, foreign nationals staying in the country without legal status who voluntarily depart between 1 December 2025 and 28 February 2026 will have their hefty fines and re-entry bans deferred.

Foreign nationals must notify the immigration office responsible for their place of residence in person no more than 15 days and no later than 3 days before departure. Online registration is also available at www.hikorea.go.kr.

On the day of departure, they must visit the immigration office at the airport four hours before their flight to obtain final clearance. Travelers must present their passport, plane ticket and voluntary departure application.

The following categories of individuals are not eligible for this opportunity:

– Those who entered South Korea illegally

– Those who used forged documents

– Those who committed crimes

– Those who received an order from immigration authorities to leave the country but failed to comply

– Those who fell into illegal status after 1 December 2025

The Migration Agency of Uzbekistan noted that additional information is available through Korea’s Foreign Residents Information Center at the short number 1345.

Earlier, the agency also issued a warning to Uzbek citizens working in South Korea under E-7 and E-9 visas. It noted that some workers holding these visa types have been switching from official employment to informal jobs, which may lead to serious negative consequences.