Head of the Migration Agency of Uzbekistan, Bekhzod Musaev, has met with Vedat Işıkhan, Minister of Labor and Social Security of Türkiye, to discuss elevating the system of legal and protected labor migration to a new level.

During the talks, the sides agreed to continue the practice of legalizing Uzbek citizens residing in Türkiye with irregular status without deportation, stressing that this approach will be systematic and focused on protecting migrants’ rights, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

A key outcome of the meeting was an agreement to grant work permits to Uzbek citizens who have permanently resided in Türkiye for at least three years. This measure will be implemented for the first time and will take effect on March 1.

The parties also agreed to sign a separate accord under which Türkiye’s Turkish Employment Agency İŞKUR, operating under the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, will centrally compile lists of the most in-demand professions and submit corresponding requests to Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency.

Officials noted that the agreements reached lay a solid foundation for expanding bilateral cooperation on labor migration and enhancing social protection for Uzbek citizens working in Türkiye.