Uzbekistan Seeks Talks With U.S. on Seasonal Work Program

Uzbekistan plans to initiate talks with the United States on enabling its citizens to participate in U.S. seasonal work programs, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said during a recent foreign policy meeting.

According to the president’s press secretary, Mirziyoyev noted that the U.S. simplified procedures last year for issuing special visas to agricultural workers. He instructed Uzbekistan’s ambassador in Washington to begin negotiations aimed at adding Uzbekistan to the list of countries whose citizens are eligible for seasonal employment in the United States.

The initiative is intended to expand access to legal and well-paid jobs for Uzbek citizens abroad. Mirziyoyev said regional governors will now be required to establish direct ties with developed countries and regions that actively recruit foreign labor.

The president also tasked ambassadors with taking a more proactive role in identifying high-income job opportunities overseas and supporting citizens through vocational training and language education. He emphasised the importance of concluding bilateral labour migration agreements with countries including Japan, Sweden, Norway, Bulgaria, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Greece and Oman.

Mirziyoyev reiterated concerns over the number of Uzbek citizens living abroad illegally. Referring to last year’s migration amnesty in Russia, which benefited more than 150,000 Uzbeks, he ordered officials to intensify negotiations with other countries to expand legal employment options, while stressing that migrants must comply with host-country laws.

Supporting labour migrants, particularly in European countries with growing numbers of Uzbek workers, will become a core task for consular staff. The president also called for simplified registration procedures and reduced bureaucracy.

The move comes amid reports that the U.S. State Department plans to suspend the issuance of immigrant visas for citizens of Uzbekistan and dozens of other countries starting January 21, increasing the urgency for Tashkent to secure alternative legal migration pathways.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said the country’s foreign policy concept needs a revision, including an update of its priority areas.