Changing Employer and Visa Category
Updated: October 2026
A foreigner who changes jobs in Kazakhstan changes their documents too: the permit stays with the former employer and the work visa is cancelled. The good news is that in many cases the new visa can be obtained without leaving the country.
What happens when changing employer
- The permit does not pass to the new employer. It is issued to a specific company and cannot be transferred. The new employer obtains its own permit — with a vacancy posting and checks of the quota and the share of local staff. See Work permit.
- The previous visa is cancelled when the inviting employer changes.
- A new C3 visa is issued without leaving the country — at the new employer's petition, once it holds a permit for this worker.
It is important to plan the sequence so that there is no period between the old and the new visa when the foreigner is in the country without a legal basis.
Visas that can be changed to a C3 work visa in Kazakhstan
Without leaving the country, a C3 visa can be obtained in place of:
- B2 and B3 — business visas;
- B10 — private visit visa;
- C2 — family reunification;
- C3 — when changing employer;
- C9 — student visa;
- C10 — for ethnic Kazakhs and their family members;
- B7 — for those studying under Astana Hub programmes.
From other categories, for example a tourist visa, a change to C3 inside the country is not possible — the foreigner must leave and obtain the visa through a Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Other in-country visa changes
- To C2 (family reunification) — from B10, C3 and C9.
- To C4 (independent employment) — from B10, C2, C9 and C10.
- To A5 and A6 (investor) — from B3 business visa, as well as B9, B10, C3, C4 and C5; to A5 also from C10.
If the passport already contains a valid or unused visa, a new one is issued only after the previous one is cancelled.
Common situations
- A student has graduated and found a job. The C9 visa can be changed to a C3 once the employer obtains a permit.
- A worker moves to another company. The new employer obtains a permit, then petitions for a new C3 visa; the previous visa is cancelled.
- A worker's spouse has found a job. A family member's visa does not give the right to work; their employer needs a permit, and the visa must be changed to a C3.
How Workmigration helps
We will plan the sequence so the worker is never left without a visa: first the new employer's permit, then the visa change. We will check whether your visa category can be changed in the country or whether leaving is required.
Let's discuss your case
Message us — we'll tell you free of charge what your case requires and how long it will take.
Message us on WhatsAppFAQ
Can I change employer without leaving Kazakhstan?
Yes. The new employer obtains a permit, and on that basis the C3 visa is changed inside the country.
Does the work permit pass to the new employer?
No. A permit cannot be transferred to another company — the new employer needs its own.
Can a tourist visa be changed to a work visa?
Not inside Kazakhstan. A change to C3 is possible only from the visas expressly listed in the rules, such as business, student or family visas.
What happens to the old visa when changing employer?
It is cancelled, and the new employer arranges a new C3 visa.
Can a student stay and work after graduating?
Yes, a C9 student visa can be changed to a C3 work visa once the employer has a permit.
More guides
Work Permit for Foreigners in KazakhstanWhat a permit to hire foreign labour is, who needs it, how long it is valid and what happens if a foreigner works without one. Full-service processing in Astana and other regions.
Foreign Worker Categories and Permit TermsThe four categories of foreign workers, seasonal workers and intra-corporate transfers: who belongs where, how long a permit is issued for and how many times it can be extended.
Work Permit ExtensionWhen to apply to extend a permit to hire foreign labour, who can extend it and how many times, and what happens if the deadline is missed.