KAZAKHSTAN · IMMIGRATION
Kazakhstan Work Visa (C3) for CEOs & Deputies
Kazakhstan provides a simplified work visa procedure for CEOs and Deputy CEOs of companies with 100% foreign ownership — no work permit, no quota, no local-to-foreign employee ratio requirements.
Bond Stone manages the full C3 visa process for executive appointments — from obtaining the confirmation of 100% foreign participation through visa application, IIN registration, and annual renewal. Our teams in Almaty and Astana handle the procedure end-to-end, with an average timeline of 4–6 weeks from mandate to visa issuance.
Governed by: Government Resolution No. 1041 of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 24 November 2023 (Appendix No. 1 — list of persons exempt from foreign labour permits); Law No. 477-V dated 22 July 2011 “On Migration of the Population” (as amended); Rules for Issuing Visas of the Republic of Kazakhstan (as amended 18 November 2024).
C3 vs. Standard Work Permit — Key Differences
| Factor | C3 Simplified Procedure | Standard Work Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit required | No | Yes — issued by local Akimat |
| Quota | No quota restrictions | Subject to annual national quota |
| Local/foreign ratio | No restrictions | 70% local employees required |
| Qualification requirements | None | Diplomas, certificates, experience |
| State duty | 30 MCI = KZT 129,750 (2026 rate) | Work permit fee + visa duty |
| Total timeline | 4–6 weeks | 2–4 months |
| Annual renewal | Yes — without leaving Kazakhstan | Annual re-application required |
Who Qualifies
The simplified C3 procedure under Government Resolution No. 1041 (24 November 2023, Appendix No. 1) is available when all three conditions are met:
1. 100% foreign ownership
All participants (shareholders) of the TOO/LLP must be foreign nationals or foreign legal entities. A single Kazakhstani co-founder — even with a 1% share — disqualifies the company from this procedure.
2. Qualifying entity type
The procedure applies to TOOs (LLPs). For branches and representative offices, the procedure applies to the Head of Branch/Representative Office only — not to deputies.
3. Qualifying executive position
The foreign national must hold one of the following first-category executive positions: Director · General Director · Managing Director · Executive Director · Deputy Director · Deputy Director for Financial Affairs · Deputy Director for Economic Affairs. Standard employee positions (including middle management) do not qualify — the standard work permit procedure applies to those roles.
Process & Timeline
|
1
|
Confirmation letter of 100% foreign participation Bond Stone obtains the official confirmation letter from the relevant state authority confirming that all participants of the company are foreign nationals. Timeline: 10–15 working days. This is the critical path item — the visa application cannot proceed without it. |
|
2
|
Document preparation Bond Stone prepares the full document package:
✓ Confirmation letter of 100% foreign participation |
|
3
|
Visa application — where to apply The C3 visa can be obtained: (a) at a Kazakhstani embassy or consulate in the foreign national’s home country with an invitation letter from the employer; (b) at Kazakhstani embassies in third countries where the applicant holds a valid residence permit or visa; (c) within Kazakhstan if the applicant holds visa-free entry status or certain valid visa categories (B2, B3, B10, C2, C3, C9, C10); (d) at Kazakhstan international airports in exceptional cases, subject to MIA coordination. Timeline: approximately 10 working days from document submission. |
|
4
|
Post-visa registration & IIN After arriving in Kazakhstan on the C3 visa, the foreign employee must obtain an Individual Identification Number (IIN) from the State Revenue Committee for tax and employment law purposes. Bond Stone arranges IIN registration and files the employer notification with the State Revenue Committee. |
Annual Renewal
The C3 work visa is renewed annually without the foreign employee needing to leave Kazakhstan. The renewal process can begin up to 30 business days before expiry. Bond Stone recommends starting no later than 2 months before expiry to avoid complications.
Critical deadline: Documents must be submitted no later than 5 business days before the visa’s expiry date. If this deadline is missed, the foreign employee must leave Kazakhstan and re-apply from abroad — restarting the full process including the 10–15 working day confirmation letter stage.
Renewal requires updated confirmation of 100% foreign participation plus the standard document package. Bond Stone manages all renewals for clients on an ongoing compliance retainer.
Family Members — Dependent Visas
Spouses and children of C3 visa holders may apply for the same C3 category. Additional documents required: marriage certificate with apostille (for spouse) and birth certificate with apostille (for children). Family member visas are issued for the same duration as the primary C3 visa.
Note: Dependent family members on C3 visas are not permitted to work in Kazakhstan under this category. If a spouse wishes to work, a separate appropriate visa category must be obtained for them.
Costs — 2026 Figures
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| State duty / consular fee | 30 MCI = KZT 129,750 | MCI 2026 = KZT 4,325. Recalculated annually. |
| Confirmation letter procurement | Bond Stone professional fee | State authority — no state duty for the letter itself |
| IIN registration & employer notification | Bond Stone professional fee | No state duty |
| Annual renewal management | Bond Stone compliance retainer | Includes deadline tracking and document preparation |
Why Bond Stone
✦ C3 visa + company formation on one mandate — entity registration, confirmation letter, visa, IIN, all coordinated in-house
✦ Annual renewal tracking — Bond Stone monitors expiry dates and initiates renewal process automatically for clients on retainer
✦ Ranked Legal 500 EMEA and IFLR1000 — Employment Law specialisation held by Bond Stone’s AIFC RLA
✦ On-the-ground teams in Almaty and Astana — direct liaison with state authorities throughout
Primary legal authority: adilet.zan.kz
Bond Stone Kazakhstan offices: Almaty · Astana
Start your C3 visa process
Contact Bond Stone for a confidential discussion about the C3 work visa for your CEO or deputy in Kazakhstan.
📧 info@bondstonelaw.com
📞 +7 (701) 729 76 72
Request a Confidential Consultation
Kazakhstan Investor Visa (C5) →
Company Formation →