January 23, 2012 - After evaluating requests submitted to the district labor offices from local companies, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Kazakhstan announced that 48,135 work permits will be available in 2012.  This is in keeping with the requirement that foreigners are not allowed to account for more than one percent of Kazakhstan’s working population.  The work permits are divided among the regions of Kazakhstan and further allotted based on:

• first category applicants (chief executives and workers with more than 5 years of industry experience);

• second category applicants (directors, senior and mid-level managers); and

• third category applicants (foreign specialists whose expertise and experience are in accordance with the Common Sourcebook of Tariffs and Qualifying Requirements for Occupations and Professions).

In addition to city-specific restrictions, companies are bound to a ratio of foreigners versus local hires.  Effective January 1, 2012, first category foreign workers may not exceed 30 percent of the total number of a company’s employees while second and third category work permit holders may not exceed 10 percent per category.  Please note that these restrictions do not apply to any small businesses or state institutions, nor do they affect work permits that were issued under priority projects or to seasonal foreign employees.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Kazakhstan.  For additional information, please contact GlobalVisaGroup@balglobal.com.