Work Permits: Changes in Fee Rates and Strengthened Regulation - FCHAIN

Work Permits: Changes in Fee Rates and Strengthened Regulation

On February 24, 2026, during an extended meeting of the Board of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan held in Astana, key issues related to the regulation of migration processes were discussed. The central topic was the improvement of the mechanism for attracting foreign labor, including the revision of fee rates for issuing work permits and the introduction of digital scoring in decision-making.

 

Qualification and Professional Potential

Askarbek Ertaev, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan, has announced that a draft law has been prepared which provides for a revision of the fee rates for employers engaging foreign workers.  This represents a comprehensive update of the system for issuing permits to attract foreign labor, making it more transparent, digitalized, qualification-oriented, and focused on protecting the domestic labor market.

 

Priority in issuing work permits will be given to highly qualified specialists with relevant education, confirmed professional experience, and competencies demanded by Kazakhstan’s economy. By 2030, the share of qualified personnel among incoming individuals is planned to reach 95%.

Thus, the work permit mechanism is gradually transforming from a formal procedure into a tool for selecting human capital.

 

Digital Scoring in Decision-Making

To enhance objectivity and transparency, the Ministry has launched a pilot project on the migration.enbek.kz platform.

Within the pilot, a comprehensive digital scoring system evaluates:

• level of education,
• professional experience,
• relevance of specialization to labor market needs,
• potential contribution of the specialist to the economy.

In the future, scoring elements are expected to be expanded to work permit issuance processes. This will help minimize subjectivity, accelerate application review, and reduce corruption risks.

 

Revision of Fee Rates: Balancing Market Interests

The revision of fee rates for attracting foreign labor aims to balance:

• business demand for qualified personnel,
• protection of domestic workers,
• incentives for employers to invest in local workforce development.

The updated fee system is expected to become more differentiated, taking into account the category of the employee, qualification level, and industry demand.

Stricter regulation of private employment agencies involved in recruiting foreign workers is also предусмотрено. This measure aims to reduce risks of unfair mediation and illegal labor migration.

 

Unified Digital Architecture for Monitoring Foreign Workers

To ensure comprehensive monitoring of foreign workers, a unified digital architecture will be established based on the “Migration Police” information system, integrated with the QazETA system.

This will allow authorities to:

• track work permit status in real time,
• monitor duration of stay and employment activities,
• ensure interagency data exchange,
• generate analytical data for labor market forecasting.

 

Internal Migration — A Parallel Priority

Alongside regulating external labor migration, the Ministry is strengthening measures to stimulate internal mobility. Within the framework of the roadmap, the relocation of citizens to labor-deficient northern regions continues, aiming to reduce dependence on foreign labor and ensure regional employment balance.

 

How FChain Can Support Employers

In the context of revised fee rates and enhanced digital control, obtaining work permits will become more regulated and demanding in terms of documentation quality.

FChain provides comprehensive support to businesses in attracting foreign specialists, including:

• Analysis of the feasibility of engaging foreign labor in light of the new regulatory requirements;
• Preparation and submission of the application for a quota to engage foreign labor;
• Consultations on employee categories and qualification requirements;
• Obtaining work permits;
• Obtaining work visas or arranging/obtaining Temporary Residence Permits (TRP).

With the transition to a digital monitoring architecture and strengthened interagency control, it is crucial to ensure the accuracy and transparency of all procedures — from application submission to permit renewal.

FChain helps employers minimize regulatory risks, reduce processing timelines, and build a sustainable model for attracting foreign specialists in compliance with updated legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

 

The Rules for Issuing Invitations and Visas in Kazakhstan Have Been Amended

 

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