Work permits in Kazakhstan are typically arranged by employers, and due to the expense and complications involved are usually only done so for highly qualified and well paid professionals. Once obtained, you will need either an M1, M2, M3, M4, or M5 work visa.
These are issued to individuals who have been granted a work permit by an employer, or their employer has a permit to use foreign nationals. You can also apply for an M1 visa if you are from a country who is part of an international treaty that exempts you from needing a work permit.
Dependents of M1 visa holders are granted an M2 visa for the duration of the M1 visa.
If you are in the process of securing a work permit and must travel to Kazakhstan to finalise this with the local authorities, you will be granted an M3 visa for a period of stay of up to 30 days.
M4 visas are granted to entrepreneurs who are labelled as ‘business immigrants’, and are allowed to stay in Kazakhstan for 1 year.
Seasonal workers are granted M5 visas which allow single, double, or triple entrance into Kazakhstan. An M5 visa is valid for up to 1 year or for the length of the employer’s permit to use foreign workers, whichever occurs sooner.