Government to cover visa, travel, and exam costs for labor migrants

The government has adopted a resolution titled “On Measures to Further Improve the System of Organizing Employment of Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abroad.”

According to the resolution, a “Center for Preparing for Employment Abroad” will be established, providing services related to labor migration under the “one-stop shop” principle.

Additionally, the number of passenger buses will be increased to ensure affordable and orderly transport for citizens traveling abroad for temporary employment or returning from such activities.

The resolution also approved a regulation “On the Procedure for Granting Subsidies, Compensation, and Loans to Citizens Traveling Abroad for Employment or Currently Working Abroad.”

According to this regulation, subsidies and compensation will be provided to cover the following expenses for individuals registered and traveling under organized labor migration through the “Xorijda ish” platform:

• Up to three times the base calculation unit (BCU) for successfully passing foreign language and/or professional qualification exams and obtaining the corresponding certificate;
• Up to five times the BCU to cover the cost of obtaining a “work visa” for employment abroad;
• Up to two times the BCU to cover travel ticket expenses;
• A one-time payment of 50 million UZS for up to 50 teachers whose students earn international language certificates at B1 level or higher in German, English, Japanese, or Korean.

Moreover, citizens leaving for temporary employment in developed countries under organized migration schemes will be eligible for microloans of up to 10 million UZS from commercial banks. These loans will be issued for a two-year term at an interest rate 4 percentage points higher than the Central Bank’s base rate.