Table of contents
Work Authorization and Legal Residence Overview
Most foreign nationals need a valid work permit or residence permit before they can enter into an employment agreement with a Kazakhstan employer. Local executive authorities (akimats) issue work permits based on annual quotas for foreign labor set by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection — for 2026, the total quota is set at 0.25% of the country's labor force, distributed across worker categories.
The process is employer-driven: the employer secures the work permit first, and the employee then applies for the appropriate entry visa and completes residence registration after arriving. Since September 2025, employers must also complete a labor market test before applying, posting the vacancy on the Electronic Labor Exchange for 15 calendar days to give Kazakhstani candidates a chance to apply.
Summary: Most foreign nationals need an employer-sponsored Work Permit, followed by an entry visa and residence registration, before they can legally work in Kazakhstan.
Sources:
- https://egov.kz/cms/en/articles/workpermit
- https://www.fragomen.com/insights/kazakhstan-new-work-permit-process-rules-including-labor-market-test-and-new-online-portal.html
Types of Work Visas and Permits Available
A Kazakhstan Work Permit authorizes foreign nationals to legally work in the country under an employment agreement with a Kazakhstani employer.
It's a distinct authorization from the entry visa and temporary residence permit, which are governed separately under Kazakhstan's Migration Law and must be obtained through their own processes. Rather than a single, uniform permit, the Work Permit itself is issued under one of four worker categories, each with its own validity and renewal terms.
- Timeline: Commonly cited as around 2–3 months from initial filing to being work-ready, once the labor market test, permit review, and visa stamping are all factored in
- Transfer: No — permits are tied to a specific employer and location
- Dependents Permit: Available, at a cost, filed after the primary work permit is issued
- Dependents allowed for the procedure: Family members generally qualify
High-Level Eligibility:
- Non-Kazakhstani national
- Employment contract with a Kazakhstan-registered employer
- Role falling within the employer's approved quota for the applicable worker category
- Health screening
- Educational or professional qualifications appropriate to the category (e.g., higher education and relevant experience for Category 3 specialists)
- Apostilled or legalized diploma and supporting credentials
- Employer completion of the labor market test (15-day job posting on the Electronic Labor Exchange) before applying
Sources:
- https://www.morganlewis.com/-/media/files/publication/practice-resource/fact-sheet/lepg_factsheet_employmentofforeignnationalsinkazakhstan.pdf
- https://www.fragomen.com/insights/kazakhstan-new-work-permit-process-rules-including-labor-market-test-and-new-online-portal.html
- https://adilet.zan.kz/eng/docs/V2300032977
Exemptions From Work Permit Requirements
Certain individuals may work in Kazakhstan without obtaining a standard Work Permit, including:
- Kazakhstani citizens
- Citizens of Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states — Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, and Armenia — who can work in Kazakhstan without a Work Permit based on an employment contract, though they generally still must complete migration registration and may need a Temporary Residence Permit depending on the length and nature of their stay
- Citizens of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Georgia, and Ukraine, specifically when working for a private individual (household) rather than a company
⚠️ Most other foreign nationals hired by a Kazakhstani company still need a standard Work Permit before starting work.
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Most Common Route for Foreign Employees
The standard pathway for hiring a foreign worker in Kazakhstan generally follows this structure:
- Employer confirms quota availability for the relevant region and worker category (quotas are generally requested annually, ahead of the following year).
- Employer posts the vacancy on the Electronic Labor Exchange for 15 calendar days as part of the mandatory labor market test.
- Employer gathers corporate documentation (registration certificates, tax records, charter documents, proof of no major compliance violations) and the employee's personal documents (apostilled diploma, CV, health screening results).
- Employer submits the Work Permit application to the local executive authority (akimat).
- Once the Work Permit is issued, the employee applies for an entry visa (commonly the M1 visa) at a Kazakhstani embassy or consulate abroad.
- After arriving, the employee registers with the Migration Police and obtains an Individual Identification Number (IIN) for tax and salary purposes.
Sources:
- https://egov.kz/cms/en/articles/workpermit
- https://www.fragomen.com/insights/kazakhstan-new-work-permit-process-rules-including-labor-market-test-and-new-online-portal.html
Is Employer Sponsorship Required?
Yes, in most cases. The employer secures the quota allocation, completes the labor market test, and submits the Work Permit application on the employee's behalf. EAEU citizens and the other narrowly defined exemptions above are the main exceptions.
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Eligibility and Employer Requirements
Who Qualifies (Employee Side):
Foreign nationals seeking work authorization in Kazakhstan generally require:
- Valid passport
- Employment contract with a Kazakhstan-registered employer
- Health screening
- Apostilled or legalized diploma and relevant professional credentials
- Qualifications matching the applicable worker category
What the Employer Must Provide:
- Business registration, tax registration, and charter documents
- Confirmation of no significant tax or labor compliance violations
- Completed labor market test documentation (proof of the 15-day job posting on the Electronic Labor Exchange)
- Confirmation the hire fits within the company's approved quota for the applicable category
- Compliance with local-hire staffing ratios, where applicable (small enterprises with 20 or fewer employees are exempt)
Sources:
- https://www.morganlewis.com/-/media/files/publication/practice-resource/fact-sheet/lepg_factsheet_employmentofforeignnationalsinkazakhstan.pdf
- https://www.fragomen.com/insights/kazakhstan-new-work-permit-process-rules-including-labor-market-test-and-new-online-portal.html
Other Important Considerations
Worker Categories Drive Everything
Kazakhstan's four-category system determines the quota an employer draws from, the permit's validity, and whether renewal is even an option. Category 1 permits can run up to 3 years and be renewed for the same length as the original grant; Category 4 and seasonal permits are capped at 12 months with no prolongation, requiring a fresh application instead.
Local Employment Ratios
Kazakhstani employers must generally maintain at least 70% Kazakhstani nationals among Category 1–2 positions (senior executives and division heads) and 90% among Category 3–4 positions (specialists and other qualified workers), subject to certain exceptions and ongoing amendments.
Effective September 1, 2025, this requirement now extends to small enterprises with more than 20 employees — previously, small businesses were exempt from these ratio requirements regardless of size.
Labor Market Testing
As of September 2025, employers must post the vacancy on Kazakhstan's Electronic Labor Exchange for 15 calendar days in the specific region where the work permit is sought, before submitting a work permit application. This is a significant change to the process.
Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1)
Kazakhstan introduced a separate visa category for remote workers employed by companies outside the country. This route doesn't require a Work Permit, but it also doesn't authorize the holder to work for a Kazakhstani legal entity — it's intended for people living in Kazakhstan while working for a foreign employer.
Reissuance to a Different Foreign National
Under certain conditions — such as the original candidate never arriving, or their employment contract ending early — a Work Permit originally issued for one foreign national can be reissued in favor of a different foreign national, rather than starting the process from scratch.
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Long-Term Residence and Permanent Residency
Kazakhstan distinguishes between foreign nationals who are temporarily residing and those who are permanently residing (holding a residence permit), with both groups generally having similar rights and obligations aside from certain restrictions, such as ineligibility for government positions.
Source:
Typical Processing Times and Common Delays
Work Permit Timeline (Illustrative):
- Quota confirmation and labor market test (15-day posting): Several weeks
- Document collection (apostilled diploma, health screening, corporate documents): 1–2 months
- Work Permit application and review by the local executive authority: 15–30 business days
- Entry visa processing after Work Permit approval: 1–2 weeks
- Full process from initial filing to being work-ready: Commonly cited as around 2–3 months, though it can run longer in complex cases
Common Sources of Delays Include:
- Missing or improperly apostilled diploma or credentials
- Incomplete labor market test documentation
- Quota unavailability for the requested category or region
- Local staffing ratio compliance issues
- General government processing backlogs, particularly since the labor market test requirement is still relatively new
Employers should begin the quota and labor market test process well ahead of an intended start date, since these steps must be completed sequentially before the Work Permit application can even be submitted.
Source:
How RemoFirst (RemoVisa) can Help
Navigating Kazakhstan's work permit and residence process can be complex and confusing. RemoVisa can help. We support employers and foreign hires by:
- Managing employer-sponsored visa applications: We confirm quota availability, manage the labor market test posting, and submit Work Permit requests through the appropriate local executive authority.
- Ensuring compliant work permit + residence processing: We coordinate required documents (passport, apostilled diploma, health screening, contracts) and monitor approvals.
- Leveraging global coverage (110+ countries): Kazakhstan is just one of many countries where we can help you hire and scale as part of our global EOR network.
- Providing managed support from immigration experts: Our team knows the nuances, common pitfalls, and how to anticipate delays.
- Bundling visa support with payroll, benefits, onboarding: Foreign hires become fully integrated employees without burdening your internal HR.
Plus: If your new hire has dependents, we can help assess current requirements and coordinate documentation for their permits.
Find out what specific permits or visas in Kazakhstan we support under our Employer of Record and RemoVisa services.
More Related Resources
This guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and work permit requirements in Kazakhstan may change, and final decisions are made by local authorities. Always consult an immigration professional for the most up-to-date, personalized guidance — including services like RemoVisa.
