Tajikistan sets minimum age for labour migrants at 18
Tajikistan has legislated a minimum age of 18 for labour migration for the first time. Citizens of the country will now be able to travel abroad for work only from the age of 18. The new requirement is enshrined in the law "On migration", which was signed by President Emomali Rahmon on October 21.
The document was published on October 23 in the parliamentary newspaper Sadoi Mardum. It replaced the migration law that had been in effect since 1999.
According to Article 16, citizens of Tajikistan may travel for work only to those states where the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of labour migrants is ensured. Such guarantees may be based on international agreements and bilateral treaties between Tajikistan and the receiving countries.
The previous legislation did not have a separate minimum age for labour migration. Now, the 18-year-old restriction also applies to foreign citizens arriving in Tajikistan for employment.
How to secure employment abroad now
The new law provides for two ways for Tajik citizens to find employment abroad: independent job search and organized recruitment through agencies and other entities authorized to engage in overseas employment.
When searching for a job independently, citizens will be able to receive free information from the authorized state migration body.
In particular, the agency is required to provide information on:
- available vacancies abroad;
- salary levels and working conditions;
- requirements of foreign employers;
- labor legislation and rules of stay in the destination country.
The law entered into force upon official publication.
Economist.KG April 8, 2026 09:28 Updated
Svetlana Begunova
