Reissuing a Work Permit
Updated: October 2026
A foreign worker did not arrive, resigned or changed passports — the permit to hire foreign labour is not lost. It can be reissued, which is faster and cheaper than obtaining a new one. But only in the cases expressly provided for by the rules.
Replacing a worker
A permit can be reissued to another foreigner if, before it expires:
- the worker it was issued for did not arrive at the place of work;
- the employment contract with them was terminated;
- for an intra-corporate transfer, the transfer letter or agreement was ended early.
The new worker must meet the qualification requirements for the same position. The permit is reissued for the remaining term with a new number, and the original permit ceases to be valid. A decision is made within 5 working days.
Change of details
A reissue is also needed when the details stated in the permit change:
- the worker's surname, first name or patronymic;
- the number or series of their passport;
- the employer's name or details;
- reorganisation of the company — merger, accession, division, spin-off or transformation.
The timeframe is the same — 5 working days, and the permit gets a new number. If the permit is not reissued after a passport change, the details in the permit and in the worker's documents will not match, and problems will arise when extending the visa.
What a reissue cannot fix
- Another employer. A permit cannot be transferred to another company: the new employer needs its own permit. See Change of employer and visa.
- Another region. A permit is valid only in its region. Business trips to other regions are limited to 90 days a year in total.
- Another position. The foreigner works only in the occupation stated in the permit. Working outside it is grounds for revoking the permit and a 12-month ban on new ones.
- A longer term. A reissue does not extend the permit. For that there is an extension within a strict window before expiry.
If the worker did not arrive
If the foreigner the permit was issued for never arrived, the employer notifies the local executive body. For an intra-corporate transfer, the special condition attached to that permit is then not performed. The vacated permit can be reissued to another worker.
How Workmigration helps
We will work out the best option in your situation: reissuing the permit, extending it or applying for a new one. We will check whether the new worker meets the requirements for the position and prepare the documents.
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
A worker resigned. Can I hire another under the same permit?
Yes, if the permit has not yet expired. It is reissued to the new worker for the remaining term, provided they meet the requirements for the position.
The worker got a new passport. What should I do?
Reissue the permit: a change of passport number or series is one of the grounds for reissue.
How long does a reissue take?
The decision is made within 5 working days.
Can a permit be transferred to another company?
No. A permit is issued to a specific employer and cannot be transferred.
Does a reissue extend the permit term?
No. The reissued permit is valid until the end of the original term.
More guides
Work Permit Fee in 2026: Rates and Amounts in TengeFee rates for issuing and extending a permit to hire foreign labour from 1 January 2026, by category and industry, in MRP and tenge.
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.