Almaty police cleared up the procedure for issuing work permits to foreign nationals

10 December 2013, the head of state signed the law "On amendments to legal acts on labor migration" simplifying the procedure of issuing work permits to foreign nationals employed by individuals. "The law aims to simplify the procedure of obtaining the permit, help legalize labor migrants and reduce factors contributing to corruption. It applies to citizens of countries with which Kazakhstan signed an agreement on a 3-month visa-free entry and stay, who are mainly CIS members, including major "donors" of labor migration: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, except for Turkmenistan," - said Aydyn Belgibaev, deputy head of the Almaty interior department's migration police office. Under the law, a single individual can employ no more than five migrant workers simultaneously, which is intended to prevent the possibility of using migrant workers in the business, for example, in the construction industry, service sector, etc. "The permit will only be valid in one administrative -territorial unit. In addition, it will be issued by migration officials along with registration, which will ensure effective control over a foreigner's stay and activities. Migration police units will submit information on issued permits the tax authorities," - A.Belgibaev added. The procedure of obtaining work permits for foreigners by Kazakhstani individuals is now very easy, the only requirement is prepayment of individual income tax. The law provides for the possibility of assigning a personal identification number (PIN) to foreigners temporarily residing in the Republic of Kazakhstan and receiving income in Kazakhstan from sources that are not subject to withholding tax. Migrant workers employed by Kazakh individuals can obtain PIN at tax authorities at the place of temporary residence.