Work & Business Guide · KazakhstanWork & Business Guide in Kazakhstan
Job market, business opportunities, and work permits for expats
Employment Rate
95.4%Very high employment rate with unemployment steady at 4.6% through Q4 2025. Formal employment grew 1.0% YoY; strong job market in oil, mining, and services despite real wage pressures from 2% decline in Q3 due to inflation. Youth and gender balance improving with non-oil sector expansion.
Startup Ecosystem
45.0%Emerging startup ecosystem supported by SEZs, government incentives, and Eurasian Economic Union membership. Growth in Astana and Almaty hubs for tech and manufacturing; limited VC but improving via BRI and SCO ties. Focus on diversification creates opportunities despite weak governance and infrastructure challenges.
Average Salary Range
KZT 3,000,000 - KZT 15,000,000 annually
Average annual salaries range 3M-15M KZT, higher in oil/gas (10M+ KZT) and mining. Moderate purchasing power with GDP per capita ~$11,800 USD equivalent; regional variations favor Almaty/Astana. Cost of living affordable outside cities; taxes progressive up to 10% flat rate.
Work Visa Requirements
Visa-free entry for 30 days; C5 visa for longer stays/work requires work permit from Migration Service. EU Blue Card not applicable.
Work visa (C5/WP) mandatory; apply via egov.kz or embassies with job offer, permit from local employment dept. Highly skilled visas available.
Streamlined digital processes via egov.kz; work permits issued 5-10 days post-job offer approval. Investor/entrepreneur visas fast-tracked. No digital nomad visa; quotas apply for certain nationalities. Processing 2-4 weeks total.
Business Registration
1-3 business days
Fully online via egov.kz or eGov Mobile app for LLC/TOO (most common). Requires ID, address, charter; no min capital. Costs ~10,000-50,000 KZT incl. notary. Ranks high in Doing Business for speed; SEZs offer tax incentives.
Remote Work Policies
Remote work regulated under Labor Code amendments (2023); employers must ensure safety, equipment, and right to disconnect.
Increasing hybrid/remote adoption in IT, finance (20-30% roles); services grew 5.5% in 2025. Co-working spaces in Almaty/Astana; cross-border remote limited by tax/work permit rules. Post-COVID shift supports flexibility in non-oil sectors.
Key Industries
Job Opportunities by Sector
High demand for engineers, geologists, drilling specialists amid 13.5% production growth in 2025 from Tengiz expansion. Salaries 10M-20M KZT; expat opportunities via international firms like Chevron.
Roles in uranium, gold, coal extraction (world's top uranium producer). Growth in processed metals (+19.5% in 2020); skilled technicians, managers needed. Stable employment, 8-15M KZT salaries.
Major wheat exporter hiring agronomists, farm managers, processors. 4.9% sector growth; rural jobs abundant, mechanization drives skilled demand. Salaries 4M-8M KZT with good work-life balance.
Boom in automotive (+53.6% 2020), pharma (+39.7%), engineering. Factory supervisors, engineers sought; non-oil diversification creates 6.4% growth jobs. Salaries 6M-12M KZT.
6.9% growth drives engineers, project managers for infrastructure/BRI projects. High demand in urban development; salaries 7M-14M KZT, seasonal opportunities.
Expanding info/comms (+8.2%), retail (7.5% growth). Developers, analysts needed in Astana hubs; remote-friendly. Salaries 5M-10M KZT, strong career progression.
More Insights for your Move to Kazakhstan
Comprehensive guides and data-driven analysis.
Budget & Expenses
Is your lifestyle affordable? From grocery prices to utility bills, see how costs compare to your home.
Read guideTransportation
How do you get around? Public transit coverage, airports, and infrastructure quality at a glance.
Read guideSocial & Community
Connect with expat communities, understand cultural nuances, and build your social network.
Read guide