On 21 November 2024, H.E. Mr. Tanee Sangrat, Ambassador of Thailand to the ROK exchanged views with Mr. Parinya Wongcherdkwan, Deputy Secretary-General of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Senate on the pathway to sustainable management of Thai immigrants and ways to reduce the number of Thai illegal immigrants in the ROK. For instance,
(1) Advising Thai illegal immigrants to join in the special voluntary return programs with fine exemption of the Korea Immigration Service , which will end on 30 Nov2024 and advising Thai unskilled workers (E-9) who have full qualifications to apply for changing their visa status to skilled workers (E7-4) which will enhance their opportunities to work in the ROK for longer period of time and gain more benefits.
(2) The Embassy will request the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Employment and Labor of the ROK to increase quotas for Thai unskilled workers in various sectors in the future.
(3) Encouraging vocational schools in Thailand to train more skilled workers to work in the ROK.