In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of citizens of Kyrgyzstan traveling abroad for legal employment. The Director of the Center for Employment of Citizens Abroad at the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection, and Migration, Baktybek Kudayberdiev, spoke to 24.kg about current directions, the selection process, challenges faced by labor migrants, and how to avoid fraudsters.
— Which countries are currently open to Kyrgyz citizens wishing to work abroad?
— As of today, the main destinations are South Korea and the United Kingdom. We have been cooperating with Korea for eight years. This is a government program characterized by stability and transparency. Cooperation with the United Kingdom began in 2022, when the quota was 1,000 people, but in reality, we sent about 1,500 migrants. In 2025, more than 11,000 citizens of Kyrgyzstan left for work in the UK.
These figures indicate that Kyrgyzstan has become a reliable partner in a short time, and this is the merit of the migrants themselves.
What you should know about employment in the UK
— How do you manage to maintain trust from the UK, given the strict requirements?
— The main factor is strict adherence to migration norms. Each contract includes an obligation to return home after the work is completed, and our citizens fulfill this condition in 99.99% of cases.
The 0.01% who remain are often girls applying for political asylum, citing pressure from relatives or forced marriage. The British side takes such situations seriously.
During our cooperation, 75-77 citizens of Kyrgyzstan have been registered in the UK. For comparison, in neighboring countries, this figure reaches 1% and is considered alarming.
— It is said that employment in England is a complicated process. How true is this?
— There are problems, but they are not critical. Previously, the process was labor-intensive: registration was done offline, people stood in lines, which sometimes led to conflicts.
Now registration is done online, but there are nuances. Earlier, the British side opened the system for only 10-15 minutes, and during that time about two thousand people managed to register. After discussions, we managed to achieve that the site opens for several hours, allowing more applicants to submit their applications.
As a result, we received about 79,000 applications, of which about 6,000 passed the selection, and half of them left for work.
— At this stage, do fraudsters become active?
— Absolutely. Intermediaries have appeared who "promised" to help with registration for 20-30 thousand soms. We constantly remind that all government programs are free and do not require payment.
A strict rule has now been introduced: one phone number — one IP address — one application. If, for example, ten people try to register from one Wi-Fi, the system will only allow one to pass to avoid fraud.
— Registration is just the first step?
— Yes, and it is far from the easiest. First, applications undergo a computer check. Any errors or discrepancies are immediately filtered out. Then a video confirmation is required — a short video where the person talks about themselves and their goals.
For the British side, this is an important requirement. After this, employers come and conduct in-person interviews.
— Is it necessary to know English for work?
— No, knowledge of the Russian language is quite sufficient. Foremen from Eastern Europe, who speak Russian fluently, work on the farms.
— What are the strictest requirements?
— These are age, knowledge of the Russian language, and the ability to use a smartphone. Those with a driver's license or a tractor operator's certificate have an advantage.
Some farms only accept women, for example, mushroom farms, while others work exclusively with men. In general, the optimal age is 25-30 years, which allows for enduring physical loads.
What is the salary in England?
The average salary is about 12 pounds per hour, which, with an eight-hour workday, amounts to approximately 300,000 soms per month. In six months, one can earn about 1.8 million soms.
All expenses related to the trip are paid by the migrant themselves.
— Are there cases of early return of migrants?
— Yes, the work is physically demanding. Sometimes a person is offered to move to another farm. However, if they cannot cope with the workload or violate discipline, for example, by consuming alcohol or refusing to work, the contract is terminated, and they are returned home.
— Are there success stories that you share with migrants for motivation?
— I always talk about the "1+1" scheme in the UK. First, one person leaves, who has proven to be a reliable worker, and they are invited again without the need for registration and an interview. Moreover, they can bring someone else for whom they are willing to vouch.
One such example is a guy from the Aravan district, who employed almost his entire family: his wife, brothers, sisters, and even his mother. She, being over 60 years old, cooked for the family, which increased productivity and employer satisfaction. Now his family is invited every season.
South Korea: Knowledge is more important than certificates
— Why does Korea remain a popular destination for labor migration?
— In Korea, it is possible to combine work with study. The main requirement is knowledge of the Korean language and good health.
Previously, we required certificates, but the market changed quickly: documents began to be sold, and over 80% of candidates with certificates failed the tests. Now real knowledge is more important than paper confirmations.
Registration is done online and includes a language test, a physical endurance check, and a color blindness test. Of the two thousand registered, about 200-250 pass the selection, and their applications are entered into the register of the Ministry of Labor of Korea.
Where do Kyrgyz citizens work in South Korea?
Mostly in manufacturing: packaging, product assembly, and machine operation.
The salary starts from $1,500, and housing and meals are most often paid for by the employer.
— Is there no corruption?
— Absolutely not. The selection process is conducted through an auction system: the employer sets the parameters, and the computer selects a candidate from a database containing applicants from 17 countries. First, audiovisual resumes are reviewed, then photos — everything is transparent. Many buy cars after work and send them to Kyrgyzstan, earning additional income.
Turkey as a popular destination
— Is Turkey still in demand for employment?
— Yes, it is popular, mainly in the hotel and tourism sectors. Contracts are usually signed for six months. Previously, only private agencies worked in this direction, taking up to 50% of the migrant's first salary.
This year, we launched a pilot government project — registration is completely free. The working conditions are similar to those offered by private agencies: waiters, maids, cooks, and reception staff.
Language knowledge is very important: the more languages a worker knows, the higher the potential income. On average, for each additional language, the employer is willing to pay about $100.
How are private agencies controlled?
The center issues licenses for the right to employ citizens abroad only if all documents are in order. The decision to issue permits is made by an interdepartmental commission, which includes the Tax Service, law enforcement agencies, and lawyers.
Private agencies are very useful: they are mobile and can quickly organize the selection of workers. For comparison, our center employs 22 people, while some agencies have up to 50 employees, which expands our capabilities.
Work in the Persian Gulf, Slovakia, and Sardinia
— How is the situation with work in Qatar? What are the employers' requirements?
— Good English is necessary here, as the work is related to the service sector and communication with tourists. Those who speak English go abroad even without our involvement. The market is competitive, and the earnings reflect this.
— In 2025, you opened a new direction — Slovakia. What is this program about?
— Yes, on January 7, we sent the first 10 people to Slovakia under a direct contract. This concerns passenger transport drivers. The Slovak side plans to accept about 100 people.
New groups of 10-15 people will be formed at the end of January and the beginning of February. This is an example of targeted professional migration, where specific skills are in demand.
— In 2023, you signed a contract with the island of Sardinia. What is the essence of this direction?
— The work format is similar to that in the UK — agriculture. The Italian side conducted the selection, and we only accompanied the process.
However, problems arose: visas were not issued to our citizens. We began to investigate and found that the issue was not with the candidates but with the working conditions, which did not meet standards. The employer refused to improve the conditions, and cooperation was suspended.
Labor migration to Japan
— Is there labor migration to Japan?
— Yes, but it is small. Every year, 10-11 people go there. The law requires a good knowledge of the Japanese language.
In 2025, we signed an agreement with the Ministry of Health of Japan. To invite a foreign worker, a company must obtain permits from three ministries, which is a complicated and lengthy process.
In August, we launched a free Japanese language learning program. By December, all 30 participants received certificates and submitted applications for testing. Salaries in Japan are high, and there are career advancement prospects. I have seen our guys who have reached managerial positions in the hospitality business.
Russia and blacklists of migrants
— Is mass migration to Russia continuing? How do you help migrants with employment?
— We have more than 25 agreements with the Russian side. Although the earnings seem decent, not many are willing to take advantage of these offers. Mainly, migrants leave based on recommendations from acquaintances. According to our estimates, about 300,000 citizens of Kyrgyzstan work in Russia.
However, there is a serious problem — blacklists. We receive daily inquiries from 600-700 people facing entry bans to Russia. The main reasons are unpaid fines, loans, and administrative violations. We always advise checking one’s status before departure to avoid problems at the border.
— If a person is on the blacklist, can you help them get off it?
— In this case, we can only provide information. Removal from the blacklist is carried out by representatives of our ministry in Russia. Citizens must apply there in writing, but practice shows that it is extremely difficult to get off the list.
“Caravan of Safe Migration”
— How do you inform the population? There are many dubious job offers abroad on the internet...
— We conduct the “Caravan of Safe Migration,” visiting cities and villages, meeting people, and explaining how to behave abroad to avoid fraudsters. We remind them that it is important to return home; otherwise, programs may close, and others will not be able to go abroad for work.
As part of an experiment, we hired actors and set up a booth with the sign “Work in England.” Out of 100 responses, 10 were ready to pay $1,000 to “intermediaries” without asking questions.
— Are there accidents among migrants going under government programs? How do you respond in such situations?
— Unfortunately, yes. For example, in 2025, a girl living alone died in the UK. Although she complained of feeling unwell, it turned out that it was related to alcohol consumption. The employer took on the organization of repatriation.
Our agency is involved not only in employment — we fully cover the repatriation of “cargo 200,” so that the body of the citizen returns home without extra costs for the family.
Where to find out about registration for work abroad?
— Only on official resources, including the website migrant.kg. We hired professionals who improved its functionality and the Instagram page, which contributes to high traffic and good feedback.
— What advice would you give to those who are just planning to go abroad for work?
— Legal labor migration is a real chance to earn, support a family, and see the world. But this is only possible with strict adherence to the rules. That is why Kyrgyzstan is trusted and new quotas are being opened.
