Work Permit Fee in 2026: Rates and Amounts in Tenge
Updated: October 2026
New fee rates for issuing and extending a permit to hire foreign labour apply from 1 January 2026. The amount depends on three things: the worker's category, the company's industry and the permit term. Rates are set in MRP (monthly calculation index); in 2026, 1 MRP = KZT 4,325.
State duty or fee?
It is usually called a state duty, but legally it is a tax levy established by the Tax Code. It is paid by the employer, not the foreigner. Extensions are charged at the same rates as issuance.
Fee rates in 2026
All industries fall into three rate groups:
- Base rates: agriculture, energy, water supply, transport and warehousing, hotels and catering, IT and communications, finance and insurance, real estate, professional and scientific activities, administrative services, education, healthcare, arts and recreation and others.
- Higher rates: mining and manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, car repair, other services.
- Highest rates: construction.
| Category and term | Base rates | Higher rates | Construction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st category, 1 year | 137 MRP — KZT 592,525 | 154 MRP — KZT 666,050 | 171 MRP — KZT 739,575 |
| 1st category, 2 years | 274 MRP — KZT 1,185,050 | 308 MRP — KZT 1,332,100 | 342 MRP — KZT 1,479,150 |
| 1st category, 3 years | 411 MRP — KZT 1,777,575 | 462 MRP — KZT 1,998,150 | 513 MRP — KZT 2,218,725 |
| 2nd category, 12 months | 158 MRP — KZT 683,350 | 178 MRP — KZT 769,850 | 198 MRP — KZT 856,350 |
| 3rd category, 12 months | 179 MRP — KZT 774,175 | 202 MRP — KZT 873,650 | 224 MRP — KZT 968,800 |
| 4th category, 12 months | 200 MRP — KZT 865,000 | 225 MRP — KZT 973,125 | 250 MRP — KZT 1,081,250 |
For seasonal workers the rate does not depend on the industry:
| Term | Rate |
|---|---|
| up to 90 days | 12 MRP — KZT 51,900 |
| up to 180 days | 24 MRP — KZT 103,800 |
| up to 270 days | 36 MRP — KZT 155,700 |
| up to 365 days | 48 MRP — KZT 207,600 |
Amounts in tenge are calculated at the 2026 MRP. The fee is paid at the MRP in force on the payment date, so the amounts will change in 2027.
Key payment rules
- 10 working days. After the permit is approved, the fee must be paid and confirmed within 10 working days. Otherwise the decision on issuance or extension is cancelled.
- Several regions — several payments. If the permit is valid in several regions, the fee is paid to the budget of each of them.
- Intra-corporate transfer — free of charge. No fee is charged for permits for employees transferred from a foreign office to a Kazakhstan branch or subsidiary.
- The fee is paid per permit, i.e. for each foreign worker.
Calculation example
A construction company hires 10 foreign fourth-category workers for a site in Astana. Fee: 250 MRP × 10 = 2,500 MRP, or KZT 10,812,500. If the same workers will also work permanently in Karaganda, the fee must also be paid to the budget of the Karaganda region. That is why the geography of the work should be planned before applying.
Our service fee
The levy goes to the state. Our fee for processing or extending a permit equals the amount of that levy. For example, for a third-category specialist in a base-rate industry the levy is KZT 774,175 and our fee is the same. For an intra-corporate transfer, where there is no levy, our fee equals the lowest rate for a regular permit — 137 MRP (KZT 592,525 in 2026). Work visa processing is charged separately. The levy rates and the MRP are set by the state and revised every year, and our fees change with them.
How Workmigration helps
We will tell you the exact fee for your industry, positions and regions before you apply. We will help you choose the permit term and not miss the 10-day payment deadline.
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
Who pays the fee — the employer or the foreigner?
The employer.
Is the fee payable when extending a permit?
Yes, at the same rates as for issuance.
What happens if the fee is not paid on time?
If payment is not confirmed within 10 working days, the decision on issuance or extension is cancelled.
How much is a permit for a seasonal worker?
From 12 MRP (KZT 51,900) for 90 days to 48 MRP (KZT 207,600) for a year.
Is there a fee for an intra-corporate transfer?
No, such permits are free of charge. Our fee for processing one equals the lowest levy rate for a regular permit — 137 MRP, or KZT 592,525 in 2026.
How much does Workmigration charge for a work permit?
The same as the levy for your permit according to the table above. For an intra-corporate transfer — 137 MRP. Work visa processing is charged separately.
More guides
C3 Work Visa for KazakhstanWhat the C3 work visa is, how it relates to the work permit, how long it is issued for, where it is processed and what family members of a foreign worker receive.
Work Visa Extension in KazakhstanHow and when a C3 work visa is extended, why it cannot be extended without a valid work permit, and which other visas can be extended in Kazakhstan.
Changing Employer and Visa CategoryWhat happens to the work permit and C3 visa when a foreigner changes employer, which visas can be changed to a C3 work visa without leaving Kazakhstan, and which other changes are possible.