Good News: Increase In The Validity Term Of Work Permits For CEOs And Their Deputies In Kazakhstan

The Rules and Conditions for the Issue (Extension) of Permits to Employers to Employ Foreign Labor1 were amended by Order No. 752 of February 28, 2018.

In accordance with these amendments, permits to employ foreign employees belonging to the first category (CEOs and their deputies) are now issued for a period of one, two or three years, with the right to extend the term of such permits for one, two or three years. Prior to the entry into force of Order No. 75 of February 28, 20183 , work permits for foreign employees of the first category were issued only for a period of twelve months, with the right of annual extension for twelve months.

The increase of the validity term for working permits for hiring foreign CEOs and their deputies, and the possibility of extending permits for a longer duration, will allow for greater stability and long-term labor relations between an employer and foreign employees and will positively affect the investment climate in general in Kazakhstan.

In connection with the aforementioned changes, the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan adopted a new Decree establishing the charge rates for the issue (extension) of work permits4.

This normative act sets the charge rates for the issue (extension) of work permits for foreign employees of the first category for a duration of two years and for a duration of three years. The rates range from 274 MCI (currently approx. US$1,997) to 513 MCI (currently approx. US$3,739) depending on the type of economic activity. The fee rates for the issue (extension) of work permits issued for foreign employees belonging to the first category for a period of one year, as well as for employees of the second, third and fourth categories, have remained the same.

Footnotes

1. Order of the Acting Minister of Health and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 559 of June 27, 2016 "On Approval of the Rules and Conditions for the Issuance and /or Extension of Permits to Employers to Employ Foreign Labor, as well as intra-corporate transfers" (the "Rules for the Issuance of Permits to Employ Foreign Labor").

2. Order No. 75 of the Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan of February 28, 2018 "On Amending the Order of...