Kazakhstan: New Quotas for Certain Foreign Workers in Place

Effective January 14, 2024, the Ministry of Labor in Kazakhstan has put into effect new foreign worker quotas for all regions for 2024, with some quotas increasing from 2023, and other decreasing. Among other changes, the foreign worker quota increased in Akmola region to 800 (from the previous 178); in Shymkent city to 537 (from the previous 156); and in Zhambyl region to 3,660 (from the previous 1,181). Meanwhile, the quota decreased in West Kazakhstan Oblast to 1,047 (from the previous 1,094); in Atyrau region to 4,765 (from the previous 6,144); in Astana city to 1,191 (from the previous 1,331); and in Almaty city to 1,671 (from the previous 2,050). The purpose of the quota is to enable companies to sponsor work authorizations for foreign employees in the specific region they will be conducting their work. Immigration authorities are therefore now accepting applications for new work permits. The quota does not apply to foreign employees who are exempt from work permit requirements, including intracompany transferees.