Foreigners moving to Kazakhstan to run a company or their own business often ask which visa they need — C3 or C5. The answer depends primarily on the legal basis on which you will work.
C3 visa — for employment
The C3 category is designed for labour immigration — foreigners working for a Kazakh company under an employment contract. This can be an LLP director or an invited specialist. Typically it is based on a work permit or on a situation where the law allows work without one.
C5 visa — for business immigrants
The C5 category is for foreigners entering to carry out entrepreneurial activity: setting up a company or participating in one as founders and investors. Here the basis is the business itself, not an employment contract.
How to choose
- You are a hired director or employee of a Kazakh company — C3 is usually considered
- You are a founder developing your own business — C5 is usually considered
- You are both the founder and the director of your LLP — this needs analysis: what matters is the basis on which you actually work and earn income
Other considerations
Citizens of EAEU member states work in Kazakhstan under special rules and generally do not need work permits. Citizens of visa-free countries should remember that visa-free stays are time-limited and do not, by themselves, give the right to work.
A visa is only the first step. For long-term stays, plan a residence permit in advance and keep an eye on document expiry dates so your legal status is never interrupted.
Common mistakes
- Working under an employment contract on a visa that does not permit employment
- A declared purpose of entry that does not match actual activity
- Missing extension and immigration registration deadlines
It's best to choose the visa category before entry and before registering the company. In a free diagnostics session we'll review your role and propose a lawful route.
Information on this website is for reference only. Requirements change — we confirm the current rules for your case during the assessment.