BUSINESS FORMATION · KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan Work Visa (C3) for CEOs & Deputies
The first head of a Kazakhstani legal entity with 100% foreign participation, and one deputy, need no employer permit from the local executive body (Government Resolution No. 1041, Annex 1, item 16). The executive still needs a C3 work visa, but without a permit or quota.
Bond Stone manages the full C3 visa process for executive appointments — from the appointment documents through the invitation, the visa application and annual renewal. Our teams in Almaty and Astana handle the procedure end-to-end, usually within about 4–6 weeks from mandate to visa issuance, depending on the authorities.
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-IV dated 22 July 2011 "On Migration of the Population" (as amended); Rules for issuing invitations and visas (joint order No. 11-1-2/555 of 24 November 2016 and No. 1100 of 28 November 2016, restated 31 October 2024, as amended).
C3 vs. Standard Work Permit — Key Differences
| Factor | C3 Simplified Procedure | Standard Work Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit required | No | Yes — issued by the local executive authority |
| Quota | No quota restrictions | Subject to annual national quota |
| Local/foreign ratio | No restrictions | Conditions set by the permit rules |
| Qualification requirements | None | Education, qualifications and experience (Art. 35) |
| State duty | 30 MCI = KZT 129,750 (2026 rate) | Work permit fee + visa duty |
| Total timeline | 4–6 weeks | 2–4 months |
| Annual renewal | Extended 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 company 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 exemption applies to a Kazakhstani legal entity with 100% foreign participation in its charter capital. For branches and representative offices of foreign legal entities, the first head only is outside the quota and permit rules, under Art. 36-1(2)(7) of the Law, and deputies are not covered.
3. Qualifying executive position
The foreign national must work as the first head or as deputy of the first head, with no more than one person in each position. Other roles, including middle management, do not qualify, and the standard employer permit procedure applies to them.
Process & Timeline
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1
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Evidence of 100% foreign participation Neither Resolution No. 1041 nor the Rules requires a separate confirmation letter from a state authority. The Rules ask for documents showing that no employer permit is needed (Rules, para. 13(6)), and documents available from state information systems may not be demanded (para. 12). Bond Stone checks the company's registration records and constituent documents to show that all participants are foreign. |
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2
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Document preparation Bond Stone prepares the full document package:
✓ Evidence of 100% foreign participation (registration data or constituent documents) |
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3
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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 coordination with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Rules allow up to 5 working days for visa processing, and the National Security Committee may extend its check to 30 calendar days (Rules, para. 41 and Annex 8, item 3). |
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4
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Post-visa registration & IIN Once in Kazakhstan, the employee will usually need an individual identification number (IIN), which is used for tax and pension payments and for bank accounts (Law on National Registers of Identification Numbers No. 223 of 12 January 2007, Art. 3(4)). It is not a condition of the C3 visa and is formed only on application in Kazakhstan (Art. 9). Bond Stone can arrange it. |
Annual Renewal
The C3 work visa is extended without the foreign employee needing to leave Kazakhstan. For an exempt first head or deputy, the Rules allow the C3 to be extended as a multiple-entry visa for up to 3 years (Rules, para. 51(10) and Annex 1). The one-year extension in Art. 36(4) of the Law is linked to a permit for the coming year, which an exempt executive does not need. The internal affairs authorities set the term actually granted, so confirm it when filing. Documents can be filed up to 30 working 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 working days before the visa expires (Rules, para. 53). If this deadline is missed, expect the foreign employee to have to leave Kazakhstan and re-apply, restarting the process from the invitation stage.
Renewal is filed on the employer's petition (Rules, para. 51(10)), and the company must still be wholly foreign-owned for the exemption to apply. 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. |
| IIN registration | 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, invitation, 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 RLAs
- 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.
[email protected]
+7 (701) 729 76 72 — Almaty
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