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Kazakhstan Work Visa C3 and C5 Business Immigrant Visa
Visas for citizens of visa-required countries: C3 for working at a Kazakh company, C5 for those starting a business here. We handle everything from the invitation to the extension.
A Kazakhstan work visa in the C3 category is needed by a foreigner from a visa-required country who works for a Kazakh company. It is based either on a permit to hire foreign labor, which the employer obtains, or on an intra-corporate transfer. The C5 visa is for a foreigner who is starting a business in Kazakhstan: without it, a citizen of a visa-required country cannot register an LLP. The initial visa is usually short, up to 90 days, and can be extended for up to 1 year.
Citizens of Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and other EAEU countries need neither a visa nor a foreign labor permit to work. This service is for companies hiring specialists from visa-required countries and for entrepreneurs from those countries. We prepare the invitation through the Interior Ministry, the consulate file or a change of visa inside Kazakhstan, the registration and a timely extension.
For citizens of visa-required countries. Citizens of EAEU countries need neither a visa nor a foreign labor permit to work in Kazakhstan.
Who it is for
- Kazakh companies hiring specialists from visa-required countries
- International groups transferring employees to a branch or subsidiary in Kazakhstan
- Foreign entrepreneurs from visa-required countries registering an LLP in Kazakhstan
- HR departments and recruitment agencies managing several foreign employees
- People whose initial visa is ending and who need an extension
Requirements
- Citizenship of a country whose nationals need a visa to enter Kazakhstan
- For C3: a foreign labor permit held by the employer, or an intra-corporate transfer
- For C5: an intention to start a business, followed by company registration
- An invitation from the Kazakh side through the Ministry of Internal Affairs
- A valid passport and a document file for the consulate
- Registration at your place of stay after entry
What we do
- Determine the visa category and check the employer or the future company
- Help the employer obtain a foreign labor permit or arrange an intra-corporate transfer
- Prepare the invitation through the Interior Ministry
- Put together the file for the consulate or for a change of visa inside Kazakhstan
- Arrange registration at your place of stay
- Extend the visa on time; for C5, after the company is registered
Key documents
- The foreigner's passport
- For C3: the foreign labor permit or intra-corporate transfer documents
- Documents of the inviting Kazakh company
- The employer's petition to the migration service
- For C5: documents about the planned business
- Photo and consulate application form
How it works
- CategoryC3 or C5, plus a check of the employer and the quotas
- Permitsa foreign labor permit or an intra-corporate transfer for C3
- Invitationfiled through the Interior Ministry by the Kazakh side
- Visathe consulate file or a change of visa in Kazakhstan
- Registration and extensionregistration after entry and an extension for up to 1 year
Timeline
The initial visa is usually short, up to 90 days; it can then be extended for up to 1 year.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- A foreign labor permit is issued within the quota and only after a search for candidates on the local market, which takes time
- The initial visa is short, so the extension has to be filed early
- For C5, the LLP has to be registered before the initial visa expires
- Working on a business visa instead of a work visa is a violation for which both the employee and the company are liable
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is from $1,300. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
Who needs a Kazakhstan work visa?
A foreigner from a visa-required country who works for a Kazakh company under a foreign labor permit or through an intra-corporate transfer needs a C3 work visa. Citizens of Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and other EAEU countries need neither a work visa nor a permit.
How is the C5 visa different from the C3?
C3 is a work visa for an employee of a Kazakh company. C5 is a business immigrant visa for a foreigner who is starting a business in Kazakhstan. A citizen of a visa-required country needs it to register an LLP, and it is extended after the company is registered.
What is a foreign labor permit?
A permit to hire foreign workers. It is obtained by the employer, not the employee, within the quota and after the vacancy has been advertised on the local labor market. The permit is tied to a specific position and a specific person.
Can I get the visa without leaving Kazakhstan?
In some cases the visa can be obtained or changed inside Kazakhstan. It depends on the foreigner's current status and the visa category. We will check whether this option works for you before the documents are filed.
How long is the work visa issued for?
The initial C3 or C5 visa is usually short, up to 90 days. It is then extended for up to 1 year. It is best to start the extension early, so the employee is not left without a status because of a queue or a request for more documents.
Do you work with foreign companies?
Yes. We support Kazakh companies, their foreign founders and HR departments. We can handle several employees at once and coordinate the extension schedule, so your team has no gaps in status.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
Related programs
Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
