KUALA LUMPUR - A total of 14,210 foreign citizens were employed in Kazakhstan in 2025 under permits issued by local executive authorities, according to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

In a statement, the ministry said 397 permits were granted for first-category foreign workers comprising managers and their deputies, while 2,405 permits were issued for second-category workers heading structural divisions, as reported by Kazakh Telegraph Agency.

The bulk of foreign labour fell under the third and fourth categories, with 4,008 specialists and 1,467 qualified workers employed during the year.

In addition, 3,556 foreign nationals were engaged in seasonal work, while 2,377 were employed under intra-corporate transfer arrangements.

By economic sector, construction recorded the highest number of foreign workers at 4,049, followed by agriculture, forestry and fisheries with 3,475.

The mining sector employed 1,368 foreign workers, while 1,297 were engaged in the manufacturing industry.

China was the largest source country for foreign specialists with 6,090 workers, followed by Uzbekistan with 3,093.

Turkey and India accounted for 1,000 and 677 foreign workers respectively, the ministry said.