Kazakhstan Tightens Foreign Labor Recruitment Rules: Key Changes Effective September 1, 2025

As of September 1, 2025, Kazakhstan has introduced amendments to the regulations governing the issuance of permits for hiring foreign workers. An order from the Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan established new procedural requirements aimed at prioritizing employment for Kazakhstani citizens and enhancing control over migrant workers currently employed in the country.

These changes impact key stages of employer interaction with government information systems. The main goal of these updates is to increase transparency in the quota allocation process and ensure compliance with labor laws concerning foreign specialists.

Key Updates for Employers

The amendments set several mandatory conditions to be fulfilled prior to submitting a permit application:

• Mandatory Publication of Job Vacancies on the Electronic Labor Exchange. Employers must seek candidates among Kazakhstani citizens by posting vacancy details on the government electronic labor exchange in accordance with the Social Code. This requirement reinforces the principle of prioritizing the domestic workforce.
• Adherence to a 15-Day Waiting Period. Applications for permits to hire foreign workers can only be submitted after 15 calendar days have passed since the vacancy publication. The application must include the unique code of the published vacancy.
• Automated Verification via Interagency Systems. When submitting an application, the Foreign Labor Information System automatically cross-checks data from other government systems:
• Unified Labor Contract Registration System (ULCRS): to verify the conclusion and registration of labor contracts with foreign employees already hired.
• Migration Police: to obtain up-to-date migration data.
• Mandatory Registration of Contracts in the ULCRS and Obtaining Individual Identification Numbers (IIN). Employers are directly responsible for ensuring all labor contracts (including intracompany transfer agreements) with foreign employees are registered in the ULCRS. Additionally, companies must ensure that each foreign worker obtains an Individual Identification Number (IIN).

Practical Implications for Business

The new regulations have formalized and increased transparency in the foreign labor legalization process.

• Increased Preparation Timeframes. The 15-day waiting period after vacancy publication requires companies to plan their staffing needs more thoroughly and in advance.
• Enhanced Accountability. The requirements for contract registration in the ULCRS and ensuring migrants obtain IINs at the permit application stage increase oversight of compliance with labor rights and migration laws throughout all procedural steps.
• Centralized Application Submission. Employers can submit documents through user-friendly electronic portals such as egov.kz, elicense.kz, and migration.enbek.kz.