The main countries of origin for labor migrants in Kazakhstan are China (29.5%), Uzbekistan (13.2%), India (8.6%), and Türkiye (7.7%), QazMonitor reports citing the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population.
Latest statistics: The Labor Ministry reported that as of May 1, 2024, 13,733 foreign nationals are working in Kazakhstan under permits from local executive bodies, within a set quota of 22,000 for foreign workers. The main sources of labor migrants are China, with 4,059 people (29.5%); Uzbekistan, with 1,815 people (13.2%); India, with 1,192 people (8.6%); and Türkiye, with 1,068 people (7.7%).
The foreign labor permits are categorized as follows:
564 permits for managers and their deputies
2,599 permits for heads of structural units
5,592 permits for specialists
549 permits for skilled workers
1,639 permits for seasonal employment
2,790 permits for employee transfers
According to the Labor Ministry, there are currently 1,762 employers in Kazakhstan utilizing foreign labor with the following economic sector breakdown:
Construction: 4,222 workers (30.7%)
Agriculture, forestry, and fishery: 1,686 workers (12.2%)
Administrative and support services: 1,652 workers (12%)
Mining and quarrying: 1,276 workers (9.2%)
Manufacturing industry: 1,300 workers (9.4%)
Professional, scientific, and technical activities: 806 workers (5.8%)
