Kazakhstan work visa and work permit

The Law on Migration of Population distinguishes workers hired by employers, including intra-company transferees; foreigners coming for self-employment in professions in demand in priority sectors; business immigrants; seasonal workers hired for up to one year; and labour immigrants working for private households. The household labour immigrant permit is only for citizens of countries whose visa-free regime with Kazakhstan allows stays of at least three months, so nationals with a 30-day visa-free stay, like those of the 48 listed states, use the employer, self-employment or transfer routes.

Foreigners in professions on the in-demand list can apply for a certificate of qualification compliance for self-employment, either through a Kazakh mission abroad, which forwards it to the local executive body, or directly to that body when already in Kazakhstan. The certificate is issued for up to three months and must be extended within that time to the term of the employment contract, up to three years. Intra-company transferees work on a permit for the contract term up to three years, extendable by one year, outside the annual quota. Quota and permit rules do not apply to, among others, permanent residents, first heads of branches and representative offices of foreign companies, employees of priority investment projects and special economic zone projects, and managers and specialists of Astana Hub participants.

Article 35 requires foreign workers to be adults, to have the education, qualifications and experience for the job, to present a criminal record certificate and a medical certificate showing no disease that prevents work in the chosen specialty, and to hold medical insurance covering primary care and emergency inpatient care.

Work visas are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Kazakh missions on the basis of, and for the validity of, the worker's permit or the employer's permit. The C3 visa is issued for a single entry of up to 90 days or for multiple entries for up to three years or the term of the permit; staff of Astana International Financial Centre participants and Astana Hub may receive up to five years. The consular fee is USD 80 for a single-entry visa and USD 200 per year for a multiple-entry visa, up to USD 1,000 for five years. Visas and temporary residence permits are extended by the police for one year when the permit is renewed for the next year.

Employers obtain permits to engage foreign labour from the local executive body of the region where the work takes place, within a quota set as a percentage of the labour force by the authorised body on migration, and pay a fee under the Tax Code for each region named in the permit. The permit cannot be transferred to another employer and is valid only in the territories listed, although workers may be sent on business trips elsewhere for up to 90 days in a calendar year. The number of foreign workers must respect the ratio to Kazakh staff, and their education and experience must meet the national qualification requirements. Applications can be handled electronically through the information system of permits and notifications.

Workers staying beyond 30 days obtain a temporary residence permit for work, requested by the employer with the permit, qualification certificate or employment contract registered in the national system. Foreign workers must leave when the permit term ends unless another legal basis applies, and employers must ensure the departure of workers whose permits end.