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Kazakhstan Work Permit for Foreign Employees
Lawful hiring of a foreign specialist from outside the EAEU: a foreign labor permit for the employer, or a qualification certificate for a specialist who finds a job on their own. Then the visa and registration.
A Kazakhstan work permit can be obtained in two ways. The first is a permit to hire foreign labor: the employer obtains it within the quota, after a check of its OKED activity code and after the vacancy has been posted on the local labor market. The permit is tied to a specific position and a specific employee. The second is a certificate of qualification compliance: the specialist obtains it personally, if their profession is in demand, so they can take a job without an employer permit.
Citizens of Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and other EAEU countries do not need a permit: they work under an employment contract. For everyone else, the process usually takes 1 to 2 months, including the vacancy posting and the review. We handle all of it: quotas, the vacancy, the filing, and then the work visa, registration and extension.
Citizens of EAEU countries do not need a work permit in Kazakhstan.
Who it is for
- Kazakh companies hiring specialists from countries outside the EAEU
- Branches and subsidiaries of foreign groups
- HR departments and recruitment agencies
- Specialists in in-demand professions who want to find a job on their own
- Employers extending the permit for an employee who already works for them
Requirements
- The employee is a citizen of a country outside the EAEU
- For the employer permit: a quota for the industry and region, and a suitable OKED code
- The vacancy posted on the local labor market
- Proof of the employee's qualifications and experience
- For self-employment: a profession on the list of in-demand occupations
- After the permit: a work visa and registration at the place of stay
What we do
- Check quotas, the OKED code and whether a permit can be obtained for your position
- Prepare and post the vacancy on the local labor market
- Put together the file and apply for the foreign labor permit
- Arrange the qualification certificate for a specialist
- Handle the work visa, registration and extension
- Explain how to stay within the permit's conditions after hiring
Key documents
- The employer's founding documents and OKED details
- Job description and working conditions
- The employee's passport
- Education and experience documents with translations
- Employment contract or a draft
- The employer's petition
How it works
- Assessmentquotas for the industry and region, the OKED code and the job profile
- Vacancyposting on the local labor market
- Filingthe application for the foreign labor permit or the qualification certificate
- Permitusually 1 to 2 months, including the vacancy period
- Visa and registrationwork visa, registration and extension
Timeline
A foreign labor permit usually takes 1 to 2 months, including the vacancy posting.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- The quota for the industry and region may already be used up, so we check this before starting
- The permit is tied to the position and the employee: moving them to another role needs care
- Working without a permit makes both the company and the employee liable
- Foreign education documents often need an apostille and a translation, so allow time for this
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is on request. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
Who needs a Kazakhstan work permit?
Foreigners from countries outside the EAEU who work under an employment contract with a Kazakh company. Citizens of Russia, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan work without a foreign labor permit: an employment contract and a legal status of stay are enough.
Who obtains the foreign labor permit?
The employer, not the employee. The permit is issued within the quota and is tied to a specific position and person. That is why the company files the application, while we prepare the documents and run the process on its behalf.
How long does the foreign labor permit take?
Usually 1 to 2 months, including the vacancy posting and the review. The timing depends on the industry, the region and whether a quota is available. After the permit, the work visa also takes time, so it is best to start early.
What is a certificate of qualification compliance?
A document obtained by the foreign specialist personally, if their profession is in demand. It allows them to take a job on their own, without the employer holding a foreign labor permit. We check whether your profession is on the list. If it is not, the route through the employer remains.
Can we hire a foreigner if the quota is used up?
The quota is one of the conditions for the foreign labor permit, and without it the permit will not be issued. In that case we look at other options: a qualification certificate for self-employment, hiring an EAEU citizen or a different hiring structure. What works depends on the position and the company.
What happens after the permit is issued?
The foreigner gets a C3 work visa and, after entry, registration at the place of stay. We then track the visa and permit deadlines and prepare the extension on time, so the employee is never left without a 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.
