The report cites Order No. 106, signed by Migration Agency Director Behzod Musayev on July 24, 2025, which establishes tariffs for services related to overseas employment. The document is marked "For official use."
Under the order, Uzbek citizens traveling to South Korea on E-9 visas are required to pay a total service fee equal to 50 BCA. Of that amount, 40 BCAs are charged for overseas employment services, while the remaining 10 cover pre-departure training and adaptation.
Vatandosh notes that the tariff stands out when compared with fees for other destinations.
According to the publication, the service fee for employment in Japan is set at 10 BCAs, while workers sent to Turkey through organized labor migration programs pay only three. Citizens traveling to European countries, Russia and several Arab states are exempt from Migration Agency service fees until the end of 2026.
The outlet asks why South Korea is treated differently, questioning the economic justification for charging five times more than Japan and substantially more than other destinations.
It argues that fees imposed by state institutions should be supported by transparent economic calculations rather than discretionary decisions, since they represent mandatory payments collected by a government agency rather than prices set by private companies.
Report points to South Korean funding under EPS program
Labor migration to South Korea is organized under the Employment Permit System (EPS), a government-to-government program rather than one involving private intermediaries.
According to Vatandosh, the framework is governed by a Service Commitment Agreement signed in 2022 between HRD Korea and Uzbekistan's authorized body.
Under the agreement, HRD Korea provides examination materials, software, monitoring systems, computers and other technical equipment needed to administer the EPS-TOPIK language test. The Korean agency also covers part of the organizational costs associated with conducting the examinations.
The agreement further stipulates that HRD Korea pays the Uzbek side an entrusted fee of $8 for each applicant to cover local administrative expenses, including the use of facilities and staff remuneration.
In addition, every candidate pays a separate $28 examination fee directly to HRD Korea for participation in the EPS-TOPIK test.
