Uzbekistan extends its Work and Travel program to technical-college students
Under a Cabinet of Ministers resolution dated October 31, vocational (texnikum) students will be able to work abroad from the 2026/2027 academic year, with costs covered by a state loan.
Uzbekistan is extending its international Work and Travel program to students in secondary-specialized (vocational) education — technical colleges and texnikums. The change takes effect from the 2026/2027 academic year and is set out in Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 604 of October 31, 2026. Previously the program was open only to university students.
Where students can go
According to Daryo, UzDaily and YUZ, citing the resolution, participants will be able to work in European Union member states, South Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Daryo reports that participants may work abroad for up to six months (a figure that traces to the program's earlier announcement).
Who covers the cost
Participation — round-trip travel and other related expenses — is financed through a state loan mechanism. The Migration Agency is required to conclude cooperation agreements with foreign employers by March 1 each year.
How it is organized
The resolution applies to students enrolled in secondary-specialized and vocational education institutions. Under it, the information system managing vocational education must record each student's full name, the name and address of their college, their field of study, specialization, level of study and grades. The program was announced by the Agency for Vocational Education.
Why it matters
Hundreds of thousands of young Uzbeks go abroad for labor migration each year, many as unskilled workers. Programs like Work and Travel give students legal, short-term foreign work experience. Extending it from university to vocational students significantly widens the pool of young people who can use it, and covering travel through a state loan opens the door to children from lower-income families as well.
