South Korea Expanded Construction Labor Sourcing
Construction firms can now tap into new international labor pools via E-7 visas to fill staffing gaps.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Jobs — General
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South Korea has launched an initiative to recruit construction workers from Uzbekistan using E-7 visas, building on a history of labor migration. The program targets skilled personnel to supplement the domestic workforce across the nation.
Why it matters
By facilitating access to international labor for the construction sector, officials aim to address ongoing labor supply constraints. This shift creates a new pipeline for firms to secure technical talent at defined salary baselines.
The program sets a starting monthly salary of 2,156,880 won (approx. US$1,560) for participants recruited via the GADA platform, which currently links to over 1,500 construction companies. This initiative expands upon the 50,000 Uzbek citizens who have worked in the country since 2007.
The players
Migration Agency
The government entity responsible for overseeing labor migration, visa policy, and the regulatory framework for international worker recruitment.
Worksmate
A labor services firm coordinating with government agencies to manage recruitment logistics and supply construction companies with international staff.
GADA
A digital platform serving as a central hub for over 1,500 South Korean construction firms to manage their labor requirements.
The details
The recruitment process mandates that candidates possess specific credentials, including either a technical college degree with five years of experience or a bachelor’s degree with one year of experience. Agencies are preparing to integrate the GADA platform with the Xorijda Ish system to streamline the hiring process. Furthermore, workers will undergo preliminary training in Korean language and professional skills, following the model of 668 workers already trained in Ferghana between 2025 and 2026.
Timeline
50,000 workers have arrived in South Korea since 2007.
668 people completed specialized training in Ferghana between 2025 and 2026.
New recruitment plans were formally published on September 18, 2026.
Market Landscape
This move extends the framework established by the E-9 visa employment system, which has supported the construction industry since 2007. It reflects a shift toward using the E-7 visa category to formalize specialized labor pipelines for international workers.
Operators in the construction sector should monitor the integration of the GADA and Xorijda Ish platforms to evaluate potential staffing efficiencies. Business owners should review current visa compliance protocols if they intend to leverage this new labor recruitment channel.
The takeaway
The expansion into E-7 visa recruitment signals a move toward higher-skilled, vetted international labor in the construction sector. Managers should track the upcoming deployment of language and skills training programs to ensure they are aligned with future staffing requirements.
Further reading
For more information on global workforce trends, see Jobs — General.
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