The measure allows workers to report themselves between December 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026, with eased restrictions on re‑entry into South Korea.
The Thai Embassy in Seoul confirmed this and is prepared to assist by issuing “white passports” for those without travel documents.
Thai PBS Verify found the source of news from: Facebook.
Verification found a post claiming that South Korea’s Immigration Office announced illegal migrant workers in the country could voluntarily report themselves to return home without fines and without being blacklisted from re‑entering South Korea.
The reporting period is between December 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026.
ระบุว่า
The post stated:
Urgent! South Korea’s Immigration Office has declared an amnesty allowing illegal migrant workers to voluntarily report themselves for return between December 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026, with fines waived and no blacklist imposed.
Can Thai migrant workers residing illegally in South Korea actually report themselves to return during this period?
After checking the website of the Labor Office at the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul, Republic of Korea, it was confirmed to be true. The South Korean Ministry of Justice has launched a special voluntary departure program for foreign nationals residing illegally, running from December 1, 2025, through February 28, 2026. Once they report themselves, foreign nationals residing illegally will be exempted from fines and granted relaxed restrictions on re‑entry into South Korea.
The Ministry of Justice stated:
The Ministry of Justice is implementing a “special voluntary departure program for foreign nationals residing illegally” from December 1, 2025, through February 28, 2026 (90 days). After reporting, foreign nationals residing illegally will be exempted from fines and granted relaxed restrictions on re‑entry.
However, there is an exception for those who entered the country illegally, forged passports, committed crimes, failed to comply with deportation orders, or overstayed illegally after December 1, 2025. They will not be eligible for the benefits of this program.
Previously, during voluntary departure periods, foreign nationals residing illegally could only receive relaxed re‑entry restrictions if they paid fines. However, under this special voluntary departure program, even without paying fines, they can still receive relaxed re‑entry restrictions.
At the same time, during the special voluntary departure service period, the Ministry of Justice will strictly enforce crackdowns on those residing illegally. Foreign nationals caught in such crackdowns will be deported and strictly prohibited from re‑entering the Republic of Korea.
Justice Minister Jang Sung‑ho stated that this program is intended to allow foreign nationals residing illegally to return home with peace of mind, without worrying about fines or re‑entry restrictions. He expressed strong hope that many foreign nationals will take advantage of this voluntary departure program.
At the same time, a report on the website of the South Korean Ministry of Justice stated that foreign nationals who entered the country illegally may participate in the “temporary voluntary departure program” between December 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026. Under this program, they will be exempted from fines and granted relaxed restrictions on re‑entry into South Korea.
The announcement was made on November 28, 2025, and is overseen by the Immigration Investigation Bureau of the Korea Immigration Service, Republic of Korea.
An announcement from the South Korean Ministry of Justice stated that foreign nationals who entered the country illegally may voluntarily report themselves between December 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026.
The Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul ready to issue white passports
The Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul announced that it is ready to assist with the preparation of travel documents (“white passports”) for those who do not have a passport or need to issue a new one.
The Embassy stated:
The Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul wishes to inform that the Korea Immigration Service has opened an opportunity for foreign nationals residing illegally to voluntarily report themselves and return home
with exemption from fines. This measure is in effect from December 1, 2025, through February 28, 2026.
The Embassy therefore encourages Thai nationals residing illegally in the Republic of Korea to take advantage of this important opportunity to report themselves and return to Thailand within the specified period, in order to avoid fines and future legal consequences.
The Embassy further confirmed that it is fully prepared to provide assistance in issuing travel documents (“white passports”) for those without passports or who need new documents.
The Embassy expressed its strong hope that Thai nationals will cooperate and benefit from this leniency measure, enabling them to return to Thailand smoothly and safely.
What is the truth?
Verification found that the claim — “Illegal migrant workers in South Korea can report themselves to return home without fines between December 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026” — is accurate.
This corresponds with the announcement from the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea and information on the website of the Labor Office at the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul. South Korea has opened a “special voluntary departure program” for foreign nationals residing illegally during the specified period. Those who report themselves within the 90‑day window will be exempted from fines and granted relaxed restrictions on re‑entry into South Korea.
However, the measure does not apply to individuals who entered the country illegally, forged documents, committed criminal offenses, or overstayed illegally after December 1, 2025.
