Exit visa? Doing the visa run, but for a new employer

ChanTwo Active member

Member since 05 October 2012

ChanTwoActive member22 May 2014 09:55:44

Okay, here's the situation. A new employer wants to hire me here in Astana once my contract with my current employer ends. I understand that I have to leave the country in order to get a new work visa through the new employer. That employer said that my current employer also has to get me an "exit visa" so that I can leave KZ and go to Kyrgyzstan while I'm awaiting my new visa. My current employer said that I don't need an exit visa. Needless to say, I'm confused.

See also

Living in Kazakhstan: the expat guide - Guide
About C3 visa - 4 Replies
How much is Kazakhstan B2 Visa - 4 Replies
Residence of permit for kids - 2 Replies
obtaining Kazakhstan visa... a little warning - 17 Replies
Marry a Kazakhs - 1 Reply
Visa for wife?... - 2 Replies

kazpat Member

Member since 03 January 2012

kazpatMember22 May 2014 13:51:59

Kazakhstan does have exit visas but not for this situation. (see below) The document that could cause an issue exiting the country is the loss of or a failure to properly register a migration card. Unless this is a very new thing then the current employer is wrong. I have been here a while and had several visas and also changed employers.Your are correct about the process, end or terminate contract, leave country and get new visa

Exit visa (ШЖВ)

Exit visas are issued to:

Foreigners permanently residing in the Republic of Kazakhstan on the basis of the permission of internal affairs authorities (Immigration Police);
foreign nationals who have lost their passport or other documents granting the right to cross the state border of the Republic of Kazakhstan while in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan - on the basis of written applications of diplomatic missions, consular institutions of foreign countries and certificates of return to their country of permanent residence;
Aliens subject to deportation from the Republic of Kazakhstan in accordance with a proper court order.

ChanTwo Active member

Member since 05 October 2012

ChanTwoActive member02 June 2014 14:35:09

I was able to leave KZ on Saturday without difficulty and no exit visa or other such document was necessary. Now, to change the subject slightly, getting a visa to come back to KZ. Here's what I just received from the employer that is trying to hire me:

"I gave your documents and certificates with diplomas to the ministry of foreign affairs [sic]. Unfortunatelly [sic], they said that they do not provide visa to holders of TESL or Celta [sic]."

So, no more native speaker English teachers who have TESOL certifications (e.g. CELTA)? Something seems strange about that. Before I left, the prospective employer said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had said something about wanting to see on the university transcripts something about being eligible to teach (something you will not find on American university transcripts since eligibility to teach comes from state governments, not universities).