Kazakhstan permit for employers to attract foreign labour
разрешение на привлечение иностранной рабочей силы
In Kazakhstan the work permit is issued to the employer, not the worker. Regional or city executive bodies (akimats) issue it within the annual quota. The employer must first post the vacancy on the Electronic Labour Exchange (enbek.kz) for 15 days. Then it applies online through egov.kz, elicense.kz or migration.enbek.kz. Workers are grouped into four categories, from heads to skilled workers, and each has its own term and fee. Intra-corporate transfers from WTO-member countries are issued free of charge.
1 entry rule for Kazakhstan based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers arriving from a yellow fever risk country or having transited any airport in one need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Kazakhstan
Money
3
Currency
Kazakhstani Tenge
KZT
Kazakhstani Tenge
Cost of living
37
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
—
Income tax (national)
New Tax Code in force from 1 January 2026; the base individual income tax rate is 10%, and a higher 15% band on large annual incomes is reported but not confirmed officially.
Living
1
Happiness
#31 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreign managers, specialists and skilled workers hired by employers in Kazakhstan, plus seasonal workers and intra-corporate transferees.
Eligibility
Employer applies
The permit is issued to the employer by the local executive body for the place of work.
Local labour search
Post the vacancy on enbek.kz and wait 15 calendar days before applying, quoting the vacancy code.
15 calendar days
Local labour search · after posting on enbek.kz
- Vacancy code must be quoted in the application (Rules p.2-1)
Official wording
The employer must post the vacancy on enbek.kz and wait 15 calendar days before applying, quoting the vacancy code (Rules p.2-1).
Annual quota
Permits are issued only within the quota allocated by the migration authority (Rules p.16–17).
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementQualification match
- Document checklistEmployer application (signed with digital signature)
- FeesForeign labour permit fee – Most sectors (agriculture, energy, transport, hospitality, ICT, finance, real estate, professional services, admin, education, health, arts, households) – Category 1, 1-year permit
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 5 more requirements
- 10 documents
- 23 fees
- 7 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Kazakhstan
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
- Rules and conditions for issuing or extending permits to employers to attract foreign labour (MLSP Order No. 279 of 30.06.2023, updated) – Adilet
- Government Decree No. 819 of 03.10.2025 on fee rates for foreign labour permits – Adilet
- Law on the republican budget for 2026–2028 (MRP 2026 = KZT 4,325) – Adilet
- Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan 'On Migration of Population' – Adilet
- List of in-demand professions for permanent residence – Adilet
