Kazakhstan 2027 Foreign Worker Quotas: Employer Application Guide

Kazakhstan has opened applications for the 2027 foreign worker quota in all regions of the country. Find out who is applying, which categories of workers are eligible for the quota, and what the deadline is for employers

Order a work guide and receive step-by-step instructions for obtaining a work visa to any country

GET THE GUIDE

Employers in Kazakhstan have been given the opportunity to apply for a quota for hiring foreign workers in 2027 - the application window opened on August 1 and will last until September 30, 2026 in all regions of the country. For those considering a job in Kazakhstan, it is worth understanding: the key role here is not played by the employee himself, but by the company that plans to invite him.

Read in detail about the features of employment of foreigners in Kazakhstan in this article.

Planning a career abroad? Obtaining a work visa is a process that requires careful preparation of a whole package of documents, and even one missing certificate can delay or disrupt the processing. The "Working Guide" from Visit World contains a step-by-step list of documents for obtaining a work visa to any country for citizens of any state. Order the guide - and all the necessary information will come to your email in PDF format in just a few minutes.

The procedure for obtaining a work visa in Kazakhstan

Foreigners do not apply for a quota on their own - it is the employer's responsibility. A company registered in a specific region of Kazakhstan submits an application to the local department of employment and social programs, indicating how many foreign employees it plans to attract and in what positions, including highly qualified specialists. Only after the quota is approved can the employer begin issuing a work permit for a specific person.

A package of documents for obtaining a Kazakh work visa

The application is submitted in Kazakh and Russian and includes:

- A completed form (according to Appendix 1 to Order No. 274 of June 30, 2023)

- A cover letter with the initial number, signature of the manager and the company's seal.

Visit World services for tourists, migrants, and expats: Insurance | Guides | Legal advice

How many places are there in the quota for a Kazakh work visa?

In 2026, the total quota for foreign labor was 0.25% of the total number of labor resources in the country. It was divided into four categories:

- 726 permits for company managers and their deputies,

- 3402 – for heads of structural units,

- 5893 – for specialists

- 3131 – for skilled workers.

Almost 5000 places were separately allocated for seasonal work, and a rate of 2.9% was applied to migrant workers in private households.

There are no official final figures for 2027 yet - some publications write about a possible reduction of the quota by several times, to approximately 5000 positions, which is associated with the government's policy to protect the domestic labor market. But these are preliminary estimates, and companies should focus on official announcements from regional employment authorities, and not on forecasts in the press.

The procedure for obtaining a Golden Visa to Kazakhstan is available at the link.

Who can obtain a Kazakh work visa within the quota?

The quota does not apply to all foreigners. Citizens of the EAEU countries (Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan) are not subject to it - they do not need a visa or a work permit to work in Kazakhstan. Intra-corporate transfers (ICT) are also excluded from the quota system - when a transnational company temporarily transfers a manager or specialist to a Kazakhstani unit.

We will tell you how a foreigner can apply for a Kazakh digital nomad visa in this article.

How has the procedure for issuing a Kazakh work visa changed in 2026?

Since September 2025, an additional requirement has been in effect in Kazakhstan - a labor market test. Before applying for a permit for a foreigner, the employer is obliged to place a vacancy on the Electronic Labor Exchange in the region where the work is envisaged at least 15 calendar days in advance. Only if no suitable local candidate has been found during this time, the company can move on. This rule especially applies to small enterprises with a staff of more than 20 people - previously local quotas did not apply to them.

The priority areas for attracting foreign specialists remain IT, engineering, healthcare and heavy industry - areas where Kazakhstan is experiencing a shortage of its own personnel.

Read here what quotas for work visas have been established in Italy for 2026-2028.

What does this mean for those planning to work in Kazakhstan?

The practical conclusion for candidates is simple: first find an employer in Kazakhstan and find out whether the desired position falls under the quota system. If so, it is the company that must apply for a regional quota in time, by September 30, otherwise obtaining a work permit for 2027 will become impossible or significantly more difficult.

In general, Kazakhstan's approach reflects a broader regional trend: governments are increasingly regulating labor immigration through employer-led planning, rather than through individual applications by employees themselves.

If your goal is Kazakhstan, it is worth remembering: the success of employment here directly depends on whether the employer manages to issue a regional quota in time - a process completely hidden from the future employee. Therefore, even at the stage of searching for a vacancy, it is worth preparing a full package of documents for a visa in advance so as not to lose time when the quota has already been approved.

Visit World's "Working Guide" will help you figure out exactly what documents you need to apply for a working visa to Kazakhstan or any other country - regardless of the applicant's citizenship. Order the guide now and receive a full list of documents by email in a matter of minutes.

Recall! In 2026, Kazakhstan launched an electronic entry permit ETA and a digital platform QazETA. We have already told you who should apply for an ETA, how the system works, and what services are already available to foreigners.

Photo - Magnific

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in Kazakhstan;

Legal advice on immigration to Kazakhstan;

Travel insurance for foreigners in Kazakhstan;

Medical insurance all over the world.

We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information. Therefore, if you see any error or discrepancy, please write to our hotline.