Kazakhstan is reshaping its migration strategy with a stronger focus on attracting highly skilled professionals and addressing regional labor imbalances, as part of its Migration Policy Concept through 2030.

The updated framework reflects a broader effort by the government to align migration flows with the needs of the national economy. Authorities say the new approach will prioritize specialists with in-demand qualifications while also encouraging internal relocation to regions experiencing workforce shortages.

Skilled Labor Takes Priority

According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the number of officially registered foreign labor migrants in Kazakhstan reached 16,100 in 2025.

Labor Minister Askarbek Yertayev stated that the government will place greater emphasis on evaluating the professional qualifications of foreign workers. Preference will be given to applicants with relevant education, proven work experience, and competencies that match domestic labor market demand.

By 2030, officials aim for skilled workers to account for 95% of all incoming labor migrants - a significant shift toward quality-based selection rather than volume.

Digital Screening and Regulatory Changes

To support this transition, the ministry has launched a pilot project on the digital migration platform Enbek.kz. The system introduces a comprehensive scoring mechanism used to assess applicants seeking permanent residence permits or kandas status - a designation granted to ethnic Kazakhs returning to their historical homeland.

The scoring system evaluates professional background, qualifications, and other criteria designed to ensure alignment with national workforce priorities.

In parallel, a draft law proposes revising fees for hiring foreign workers, strengthening oversight of private employment agencies, and formally incorporating the digital scoring system into official migration decision-making procedures.

Controlled Quotas and Key Source Countries

For 2026, the quota for attracting foreign labor has been set at 0.25% of Kazakhstan’s total workforce, underscoring the government’s controlled and targeted approach.

China, Uzbekistan, Turkey, and India remain the primary countries of origin for officially employed foreign nationals.

Addressing Internal Migration Imbalances

Beyond foreign labor policy, Kazakhstan is also seeking to manage internal migration patterns. In 2025, 14.7% of participants in state-supported interregional resettlement programs relocated to northern regions, where labor shortages are more acute.

Meanwhile, major urban centers such as Almaty and Astana continue to draw young people from less economically developed areas. This trend has contributed to widening territorial imbalances, prompting the government to strengthen incentives for relocation to underpopulated regions.

Long-Term Economic Alignment

The Migration Policy Concept through 2030 reflects Kazakhstan’s effort to create a more structured, economically responsive migration system. By combining digital tools, regulatory reforms, and targeted quotas, authorities aim to ensure that both foreign and internal migration contribute directly to national development goals.

The strategy marks a shift from passive migration management to a proactive, skills-driven model designed to support sustainable economic growth.