Employment abroad offers opportunities for professional development and gaining work experience. However, when looking for a job, it is important to take precautions to avoid fraud, violations of labor rights, and the risk of labor exploitation.
Before travelling, it is important to verify the foreign employer and intermediary organization, review the terms of the employment contract, and clarify the requirements for entry and employment in the destination country.
Before Travelling Abroad for Work, It Is Recommended That You:
Verify the legality of the proposed employment, including whether a work visa, work permit, or other documents are required under the laws of the destination country.
Obtain and carefully review the employment contract with the foreign employer before starting work.
Ensure that the contract specifies the place of work, job title, amount and payment procedure of wages, working hours, accommodation arrangements, and other essential terms.
Clarify who will cover the costs of travel, accommodation, health insurance, and return travel to Kazakhstan.
If necessary, arrange in advance for the translation, legalization, or apostille certification of educational and professional qualification documents.
Inform relatives or trusted individuals of your residential address, workplace, and employer's contact details.
Keep electronic copies of your passport, visa, employment contract, insurance documents, and the contact details of Kazakhstan's diplomatic mission.
Do not hand over your passport to an employer or intermediary for permanent safekeeping. Do not accept employment if you are prohibited from independently managing your documents, your freedom of movement is restricted, or you are threatened.
Where Can You Seek Help?
If a labor dispute arises, it is initially recommended to contact your employer through the established procedure and, if necessary, the competent authorities of the country of employment.
If your rights are violated, you are threatened, your documents are withheld, or you are forced to work, contact the law enforcement authorities of the country where you are staying and the nearest embassy or consular office of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Contact details of Kazakhstan's diplomatic missions can be found on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
If there is an immediate threat to life or health, contact the local emergency services in the country where you are staying.
Verify the Employer and Intermediary Organization
If employment is offered through a private employment agency:
Confirm the organization's full name, Business Identification Number (BIN) or the entrepreneur's Individual Identification Number (IIN), registered address, and contact details.
Verify the organization's registration details through official government information resources.
Clarify who the direct employer is, where the workplace is located, and what duties you will be expected to perform.
Request a draft agreement for the provision of employment intermediary services.
Check whether legislation establishes any special authorization requirements for the proposed type of activity.
The mere fact that an organization is officially registered does not guarantee that the intermediary is trustworthy.
Sign an Agreement with the Private Employment Agency
In accordance with Article 55-1 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Population Migration”, a private employment agency is required to conclude agreements with individuals seeking employment intermediary services for work both within Kazakhstan and abroad.
Before signing the agreement, it is recommended to check:
the specific services provided by the agency;
the amount of the fee and the payment procedure;
the conditions for refunds;
the timeframes for providing services;
the responsibilities of the parties;
the dispute resolution procedure;
the arrangements for assisting the worker's return to Kazakhstan.
Do not transfer money to the personal bank accounts of unknown individuals without proper documentation.
Clarify Return Guarantees
When citizens are recruited for organized employment abroad through private employment agencies, Kazakhstan's legislation establishes requirements aimed at ensuring workers' return upon expiration of their contracts.
Before signing an agreement, it is recommended to clarify what obligations the intermediary assumes regarding the worker's return, how the relevant guarantee is secured, and which documents confirm it.
Verbal promises made by an intermediary should not be considered a sufficient guarantee.
Check the Terms of the Employment Contract
Before travelling abroad, make sure that the working conditions correspond to the advertised vacancy.
Pay particular attention to the salary amount, work schedule, accommodation arrangements, health insurance, grounds for deductions from wages, and the procedure for terminating employment.
Do not accept an offer to work on a tourist visa if the laws of the destination country require a work permit.
Signs of Potential Fraud or Labor Exploitation:
promises of high wages without identifying the specific employer or working conditions;
demands for urgent payment for employment services without signing an agreement;
refusal to provide the agency's or employer's registration and contact details;
offers to travel abroad without the required documents;
demands to hand over your passport or banking details;
threats, restrictions on freedom of movement, or forced labor.
If you encounter any of these circumstances, it is recommended that you reject the suspicious offer and seek advice from the competent authorities.