Kazakhstan Opens Visa Applications for Foreign Workers

Kazakhstan has initiated the acceptance of applications for its 2027 foreign worker quota across all regions of the nation. Employers planning to hire foreign workers in Kazakhstan for 2027 can now submit their quota requests to the respective regional authorities. However, companies must act swiftly, as the deadline for application submission is September 30, 2026.

Essential Information for Applications

In their applications, firms must furnish comprehensive details about their anticipated foreign workforce. This includes the number of foreign workers they intend to invite, with special focus on foreign specialists. To complete their applications, employers must first assess their workforce needs for 2027, enabling them to determine the quantity of foreign employees they anticipate sponsoring in the respective region where the work will be executed.

Purpose of Kazakhstan's Foreign Worker Quota System

The foreign worker quota system in Kazakhstan serves to regulate the employment of foreign nationals in various regions of the country. It permits qualifying companies to sponsor work permits for foreign employees. Crucially, this authorization pertains to the specific region where the foreign national will be performing their duties. Consequently, companies should not only consider the quantity of foreign employees they require but also the location of their placement when planning their 2027 recruitment.

Exemptions Under the 2027 Quota Requirement

Not all foreign employees in Kazakhstan are subject to the 2027 quota requirement. Certain foreign nationals are exempt from Kazakhstan’s work permit prerequisites and are thus excluded from the foreign worker quota system. This exemption encompasses intracompany transferees. Hence, businesses bringing eligible employees into Kazakhstan through an intracompany transfer are not required to include those workers in their quota applications.

Important Deadline for Quota-Based Applications

Companies requiring quota-based work authorization for foreign nationals should prepare their applications before the impending September 30, 2026 deadline. With applications now open in all regions, businesses have a limited window to estimate their 2027 foreign staffing requirements and submit the necessary information. Companies should also ascertain whether individual foreign employees necessitate quota-based authorization or qualify for an exemption before finalizing their applications.