Published: 07.09.2026
Since September 1, 2025, an employer must post a vacancy on the Electronic Labour Exchange for 15 calendar days before applying for a work permit. For 2026, Kazakhstan has also set a foreign-labour quota of 0.25% of the workforce.
For an employment-based move, the employer cannot immediately obtain a permit for a foreign national; it must first show that it tried to find a local candidate. According to the source, this can lengthen the preparation timeline and reduce the number of available positions, particularly for employers operating within the annual quota. The rule primarily affects nationals of non-EAEU countries and workers who need employer sponsorship. Anyone planning to relocate for a job should confirm in advance that the employer is prepared to complete this step.