What Happened
The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan has submitted for public discussion a draft order amending the order of the Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the RK dated February 20, 2023 No. 49. This order approved the list of in-demand professions, possession of which gives foreign citizens grounds for obtaining a permanent residence permit in Kazakhstan, as well as the Rules for forming such a list.
It is important to understand the status of the document: this is a draft, not an act in force. It has been posted for public discussion and has not yet been adopted. Before the discussion concludes and the order is subsequently officially approved, the text may change, and the order itself may be revised or not adopted at all.
Who Is Affected
The topic directly concerns several categories:
- Foreign citizens who plan to obtain a permanent residence permit in Kazakhstan on the grounds of possessing an in-demand profession.
- Employers engaging foreign specialists and interested in their long-term legalization in the country.
- HR and migration services, HR specialists and lawyers who support the procedures for employment and legalization of foreigners.
Since the list of professions determines who exactly can claim the simplified grounds for permanent residence, it is important to track any changes to it in advance — they affect hiring planning and the personal migration strategies of specialists.
What the Draft Changes
In essence, the draft amends the existing list of in-demand professions and the procedure for forming it, established by Order No. 49 dated February 20, 2023. The list is a selection tool: it records which qualifications are considered by the state as a priority for attracting and retaining personnel.
The specific content of the changes will become fully clear only after the order is approved. At the public discussion stage, the text is available for review, and it is now that interested parties have the opportunity to influence the final version.
What to Do Now
- Review the text of the draft on the "Open NLA" portal to understand exactly which items on the list are affected.
- Assess its applicability to your situation. Employers should check the draft against their plans for hiring foreign specialists, while specialists themselves should verify whether their profession is included in the list under consideration.
- Use the public discussion mechanism. If the changes affect your interests, you may submit comments and suggestions in the established manner before the discussion concludes.
- Do not make irreversible decisions based on the draft. Until the document is approved and enters into force, the norms of the previously adopted Order No. 49 remain in effect.
Timeline
According to published information, the public discussion of the draft continues until October 6, 2026. It makes sense to submit comments and suggestions by this date. The effective date of the possible order has not yet been determined at this stage and will be set only after its official adoption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the order already in force? — No. This is a draft at the public discussion stage. It is not an adopted regulatory act, and decisions should be based on the current Order No. 49 dated February 20, 2023.
Who is affected by the list of in-demand professions? — Foreign citizens applying for a permanent residence permit in Kazakhstan on the grounds of possessing an in-demand profession, as well as employers engaging such specialists.
Can the text of the draft be influenced? — Yes. At the public discussion stage, interested parties may submit their comments and suggestions in the established manner before the discussion period ends.
Until when does the discussion continue? — According to published data, the public discussion continues until October 6, 2026.
When will the changes take effect? — The exact date has not yet been determined. It will be established only after the official adoption of the order following the discussion.