Working visa of C3 category in Kazakhstan

To carry out employment activities in the Republic of Kazakhstan, foreign nationals require a C3 work visa.

What documents are required to obtain a C3 work visa?

The basis may be:

1. A permit to employ foreign labor issued by the local executive authority.
2. A general power of attorney for the head of a foreign Representative Office or Branch.
3. Employment as the head or deputy head of Kazakhstani LLPs with 100% foreign ownership.
4. Employment as teachers in educational institutions in accordance with international treaties of the Republic of Kazakhstan on cooperation in the field of education.
5. Employment contracts confirming employment as artists, directors, conductors, choirmasters, choreographers, athletes, and coaches.
6. Employment with companies participating in the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC).
7. Employment with companies participating in Astana Hub.

Additional information about the employer and the foreign specialist is also required.

Where can a C3 work visa be obtained?

• At the Embassy or Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the foreign specialist’s country of citizenship, based on an invitation letter from an employer registered in Kazakhstan.
• The Embassy or Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the foreign specialist’s country of permanent residence, if it differs from the country of citizenship, provided that the foreign specialist has documents confirming the right to long-term residence in that country (e.g. a residence permit, study visa, or work visa).
• In certain cases, a C3 work visa can be obtained directly in Kazakhstan based on an application submitted by the employer. The possibility of obtaining a visa in Kazakhstan depends on the foreign specialist’s citizenship, the validity of their current Kazakhstan visa, and other circumstances.

A visa can be obtained in Kazakhstan if:

• The foreign national holds one of the following valid Kazakhstan visas: B2, B3, B7 (for visa holders studying under Innovation Cluster programs), B10, C2, C3, C9, or C10.
• The foreign national entered Kazakhstan under the visa-free regime applicable to citizens of 48 economically developed countries.
• The foreign national entered the country under a visa-free agreement or special conditions between the countries. Please check the details with our consultants.

— Upon arrival at international airports in Kazakhstan, subject to a number of requirements. These are exceptional cases and the details must be coordinated with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Who acts as the inviting party?

The inviting party when applying for the visa is the foreign specialist’s employer. The employer is also responsible for the foreign specialist’s stay in Kazakhstan, compliance with migration requirements under the legislation, as well as the foreign national’s timely departure from the country before the expiry of the visa.

How long is the work visa valid?

The visa is issued for the validity period of the permit or, as a general rule, for 1 year, with the possibility of extending it for another year without leaving Kazakhstan. One of the necessary conditions is that the passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the expiry of the visa. Otherwise, the validity period of the work visa will be reduced.

How long does it take to process the visa documents?

When processing an invitation for a work visa, the review period takes on average 5–7 business days from the date the invitation is registered with the Migration Service. According to the Rules, the review and approval of documents by the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan may be extended up to 30 calendar days. After the invitation with the visa support number is issued, the visa issuance at the Embassy/Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan takes 1–5 business days.

Processing a visa in Kazakhstan takes on average 5–10 business days. The original passport is retained for the duration of the review. Approval of the documents by the National Security Committee may also be extended up to 30 calendar days.

Thus, the average processing time is 2 weeks. The maximum processing period is 30 calendar days. Please note that additional time will be required to obtain a work permit if the foreign national is employed under the standard procedure for attracting foreign labor.

Can family members obtain work visas as accompanying persons?

The spouse and children may obtain C3 visas as accompanying persons upon submission of marriage and birth certificates with legalization/apostille, depending on the country of issuance of the documents. The visa is issued for the same period as the foreign employee’s visa. A C3 visa for accompanying persons does not grant the right to work in Kazakhstan. For citizens of the EAEU countries, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP/RVP) is issued for accompanying persons.

How can a work visa be extended for the following year?

The work visa can be extended without leaving Kazakhstan. Documents may be submitted 30 business days before the visa expiry date. An essential condition is the provision of a basis for extending the visa (see the grounds listed above). The final deadline for submitting documents is 5 business days before the visa expiry date. If you fail to meet the deadlines, the foreign national will be required to leave Kazakhstan and obtain a visa at a Kazakhstan Embassy/Consulate abroad.

What are the costs of obtaining/extending?

If the visa is processed through an invitation letter and obtained at a consular office:

• state fee — 0.5 MRP;
• consular fee — USD 200–250.

If the visa is obtained in Kazakhstan — 30 MRP. In 2026, this amounts to KZT 130,000 including the bank commission.

Who does not require a C3 work visa?

A C3 work visa is not required to carry out employment activities by:

• citizens of the EAEU countries (Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia) — under the Agreement, a simplified procedure applies to employment, entry, and stay in Kazakhstan;
• citizens of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan — under bilateral agreements on visa-free stay;
• holders of a residence permit (RP);
• business immigrants holding a C5 visa, holders of an A6 investor visa, and others.

Citizens of the above-mentioned countries are subject to the issuance of a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP).

Other articles:

1. Other visa categories with and without the right to work.
2. What are the passport requirements for foreign nationals?
3. Where can a C3 visa be obtained?
4. How can foreigners enter Kazakhstan?