Kazakhstan tightens migration rules

Changes have been made in Kazakhstan to the rules for issuing residence permits to foreigners.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has developed a number of requirements to tighten control over foreigners.

According to local media reports, following the order of the Minister of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan dated November 18, the list of mandatory documents for issuing temporary and permanent residence permits to foreigners and stateless persons in the country has been updated.

From now on, when applying for a temporary residence permit through the State Corporation, the following will be required:

• application form,
• copy of an identity document (original must be presented),
• copy of medical insurance (original must be presented, not required for citizens of EAEU countries),
• notarized consent of the property owner for residence, if the applicant is not the owner,
• certificate of fingerprinting.

For employment activities, the following will be required:

• Permission to attract foreign labor, issued by the local executive body.
• Certificate or permission confirming the foreigner’s qualifications, issued by the local executive body.
• Permission for the labor immigrant to engage in employment with individuals, issued by the local executive body.
• Employment contract registered in the unified system of labor contract accounting “ESUTD” or a civil law contract for the performance of work (provision of services).
• Order for sending on a business trip under an intra-corporate transfer or within the framework of a contract between legal entities for the provision of services.
• Document confirming the accreditation of a journalist with the specified accreditation period.
• For categories of immigrants exempt from obtaining the above permits and their family members – the permit is issued for the duration of the employment contract, but not more than one year, with the possibility of extension.

The new requirements for obtaining a temporary residence permit or engaging in employment activities in Kazakhstan are being introduced against the backdrop of tightened migration rules in the neighboring country – Russia. In particular, following the attack on “Krokus City Hall,” a large number of citizens of Tajikistan were deported from Russia under various pretexts. After this, migrants are seeking ways to go to work primarily in Kazakhstan, South Korea, the UAE, or European countries.