Employer Fines for Illegal Foreign Workers in Kazakhstan: Articles 517, 518 and 519 in Tenge

A foreigner working without the right documents is a violation on two sides: both the company and the worker are liable. The amounts depend on business size, and the biggest losses often go beyond the fine itself. Below is what Articles 517, 518 and 519 of the Code of Administrative Offences provide. Tenge amounts use the 2026 monthly calculation index (MCI) of 4,325 tenge.

Article 519: employer liability

The article covers two main situations. The first is engaging foreign labour without an akimat permit, or a foreigner without a qualification certificate or labour-immigrant permit. The second is using a worker in a position, occupation or specialty not stated in the permit.

Individuals are separately liable for using labour immigrants in a household without a permit, or under contracts with more than five such workers at once: 30 MCI, or 50 MCI for a repeat within a year.

Article 518: host liability

This article concerns those who receive a foreigner and fail to arrange residence documents, ensure timely departure or notify the internal affairs authorities. The notification procedure is covered in a separate guide.

Article 517: what the worker faces

Activity inconsistent with the visa purpose, or working without the required certificate or permit, falls under part 5: a fine of 25 MCI (108,125 tenge), arrest for up to 10 days, or expulsion. For a repeat within a year, part 7 provides for arrest of up to 15 days with expulsion. The Ministry of Internal Affairs said after Operation "Nelegal" in March 2026 that everyone expelled was barred from entry for five years. The company, meanwhile, loses the employee and may lose project momentum.

What else to consider

The permit rules as amended in 2025 provide for suspension, withdrawal and a 12-month ban on engaging foreign labour when permit conditions are breached. For a company relying on foreign specialists, this can be more serious than the fine.

How to reduce the risk

• Keep a register of foreign staff: expiry dates of permits, visas, residence permits and passports.
• Check position, specialty and region against the permit. An internal move is also a reason to check.
• Assign someone responsible for arrival notifications.
• Check contractors and subcontractors working on your site, and state in the contract who answers for their people's documents.
• Plan renewals early, not in the final week.

If you are just starting, read how to hire a foreign employee and choose a route. If a worker has stayed past their permitted period, see what to do about an overstay.

The amounts are based on the published text of the Code; check the current version before making decisions, as the specific penalty is set by the competent authority or court. Visa Navigator helps review foreign employees' documents and prepare permits.

This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. Rules and practice change — verify the current requirements as of the date you apply.