Quota for recruitment of foreign labor force in 2025

In 2025 the quota on attraction of foreign labor force for labor activity on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan as a percentage of the labor force is established:

– on permits issued by the local executive body to the employer in the amount of 0.2%.

In 2024 the quota for legal entities amounted to 0.23 %.

The quota for the recruitment of Foreign Labor Force in 2025 is distributed into 4 categories as follows:

– 649 permits for the first category (managers and their deputies).

– 3,254 for the second category (heads of structural subdivisions).

– 5,718 authorizations under the third category (specialists).

– 1,161 units under the fourth category (skilled workers).

– Also, up to 4,097 people can be employed for seasonal work.

Breakdown by region

Astana – 975 units.

Almaty – 1,355 units.

Shymkent – 147 units.

Atyrau region – 3,522 units.

Karaganda region – 414 units.

West Kazakhstan region – 1,038 units.

Q&A

– When is the deadline for applying for a quota?

Application for quota is formed in advance. The deadline for application submission is September 30. Thus, if an application is submitted in 2024, the application is formed for the following year 2025. In practice, applications for the quota start in August and September.

– Is it necessary to obtain a quota for Russian citizens?

No, a quota for foreign nationals from the Russian Federation is not required. There are several categories of foreign employees who do not need a quota:

for citizens of Eurasian Economic Community member countries (Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan)

for business immigrants and holders of C5 visas

for holders of residence permits

for foreign employees arriving in Kazakhstan for the purpose of family reunification

for the first category of foreign specialists in companies with 100% foreign participation, etc.

– Where do I apply for a quota?

To the Department for Coordination of Employment and Social Programs in your region. The quota application must be submitted in each region where foreign labor force and work permits are planned to be issued, respectively. According to the legislation, foreign nationals receiving a work permit may work only in the region where the document was obtained. Business trips are possible, but for a period not exceeding 90 calendar days.

– If we have not applied for a quota, but now plan to hire an employee who will work under the exception, how should we proceed? Does having a quota affect the processing of a work visa under the exception.

No, it does not. Employees who work under an exception do not need a quota.

– Do I need to apply for all regions where I have work permits or can I submit one application at the company’s place of registration?

An application must be submitted for each region separately where foreign employees work. See previous Q&A.

– What is the maximum number of persons that can be indicated in the application for a quota?

The number is not limited. If necessary, the Commission may reduce the number.

– Do I need to indicate those positions for which I have already received work permits?

Yes, you must. These positions must be in order for you to be able to extend your current permits.

– What positions should I indicate in the application if we do not know yet what positions we will hire foreigners for?

You can specify approximate positions for all categories. Then you can change the position for the work permit, if necessary. The main thing is that it must correspond to the job category.

– We have not applied for a quota, can we apply for a work permit?

The quota is not attached to the company, but to the region. Therefore, if there is an available quota in the region, you can apply for a permit. However, some regions allocate few quota units, so the Employment Coordination Office only accepts applications from legal entities that have previously applied for a quota.

– We applied for a quota for the position of Manager. But now we are planning to hire a Sales Director. Can we apply for this position?

Yes, you can. Both positions are in category 2, so you can change the job titles within the category. The quota is allocated separately by category.

– Can I apply for a quota from a company online?

In some regions of Kazakhstan it is possible to apply for quota online, for example, in Karaganda or Kyzylorda regions.

– Do I have to submit a quota if we do not have employees who work under a work permit?

Applications for quota are submitted for the next year, not for the current year. If you plan to employ foreign labor force on the basis of a permit, submission of a quota application is mandatory, as the absence of a quota may significantly complicate obtaining a work permit.

– After submission, is there a confirmation from the state authorities that the quota has been issued?

No, the quota is allocated to the requested job categories and is based on the needs of the region. Details are provided by region and job category. Detailed information on employers is not published. At the same time, information on all legal entities is available at the Employment Department.

– Is it possible, if we have a free quota for 1-category, but we do not plan to use this quota, to invite an employee for 2-category instead of a position for 1-category?

No, the quota is issued for a certain category, and you will be able to invite only for the category for which you applied. At the same time, if there is a free quota, you will be able to get a work permit even if you have not indicated the position.

– If we have a free quota for the 2nd category for the position of manager, is it possible to change the title of the position without changing the category?

Yes, it is possible to change the position within the category.

– We applied for the quota and indicated one position, but now we want to apply for another position, is it possible?

If the category is the same, it will be possible to apply.

– If we apply for 10 people and next year we do not apply for permits according to the quota issued. Can the quota be retained by our company and rolled over to the next year?

No, each year the quota must be applied for in a new way.

– If we did not apply for the quota last year and now we want to get a work permit?

You can tell us your position and we can check the availability of the quota in the authorized body. If there is a free quota, you can apply for a work permit. Otherwise, you need to apply for a quota for the next year and only then apply for a work permit.

– Do I need to indicate already valid work permits in the application form or only new ones?

In the application form, you need to indicate both current permits and planned ones.

– We renew the work permit every year without a quota. Why do we need a quota if we are doing well without it?

We recommend applying for a quota, as you will be renewed a work permit only if there is a free quota. A free quota is created if employers have applied for work permits but have not actually used them.

If there is no free quota left at the time of applying for a work permit, your permit will not be renewed.