Kazakhstan 2027 Foreign Worker Quota Opens | Employer Application Deadline September 30

Kazakhstan has opened the application window for employers seeking foreign worker quota allocations for 2027 across all regions. The application period opened on August 1, 2026, and employers must submit their requirements to the relevant regional Departments for the Coordination of Employment and Social Programs by September 30, 2026.

The quota process is employer-led. Foreign workers do not apply for quota positions directly. Employers must obtain quota approval for a specific role and region before proceeding with the required work authorization. Applications must be submitted in both Kazakh and Russian using the official form established under Order No. 274 dated June 30, 2023.

Foreign nationals who are already exempt from work permit requirements, including intracompany transferees, fall outside the quota system.

Kazakhstan's 2026 foreign worker quota was set at 23,600 positions. Reports indicate that the 2027 quota could be reduced to approximately 5,000 positions, which would represent a substantial reduction if confirmed. This could make competition for available quota positions significantly tighter than in 2026.

For foreign workers considering Kazakhstan, the practical step is to secure a confirmed employer first and ask whether the specific position requires a foreign worker quota. The 2027 quota figure should also be confirmed through official Kazakh authorities before relying on reported estimates.