Changes to the Rules for Obtaining Residence Permits for Foreign Citizens in Kazakhstan

There are three different procedures for obtaining a residence permit for foreign citizens in Kazakhstan. It’s important to note that the changes affect procedure No. 3, the standard residence permit.

Below we will describe all three scenarios to understand the overall picture.

Obtaining a residence permit for  in-demand specialties

Distinguishing features:

• It is necessary to obtain a petition from the industry ministry regarding compliance with the list of in-demand specialties.
• The foreign citizen must be employed in the profession previously confirmed by the отраслевое ministry. There is an option to submit the request online.
• The residence permit may be revoked if, within one hundred eighty-three calendar days within a 12-month period, the applicant does not work in the specified profession.
• Proof of financial solvency is not required.
• Issuance of visas category B9, B9-1.

Digital Nomad Residency for IT specialists through Astana Hub

Distinguishing features:

• Only for IT specialists in in-demand specialties.
• Online testing and online interview.
• Issuance of a preliminary decision before arrival in Kazakhstan.
• There’s no requirement to work in your field in Kazakhstan. Remote work for a company outside of Kazakhstan is acceptable.
• No proof of solvency is required
• Citizens of visa-free countries do not need to obtain a B8 visa to obtain a residence permit.
• A category B9-1 visa is required for countries with a visa regime.

Obtaining a residence permit through the standard procedure

The changes affected the protocol for issuing temporary residence permits according to the standard.The Order of the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Digital Development dated February 13, 2026. The changes took effect on the day of the Order’s publication. Key points:

This is a pilot project that will run until December 31, 2026. However, currently, applications for temporary residence permits are not being accepted by the authorized body. All applications submitted before February 18, 2026, will be processed as usual.

IMPORTANT POINT: The changes will not affect the procedures for extending temporary residence permits, only the issuance.

Key changes and a step-by-step action plan for obtaining a residence permit under the new protocol:

Step 1. You must complete an online Kazakh language proficiency test (KAZTEST). Applications are accepted online at https://app.testcenter.kz/ , operated by the National Testing Center of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NTC). The test consists of two sections:

– listening (20 tasks for 20 minutes).

– reading (40 tasks на 50 minutes).

You must demonstrate knowledge of the Kazakh language at level A1 (30% to 40% correct answers in each section). You may retake the test no more than twice within 30 calendar days. A1 is the very first level of language proficiency according to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference). Level A1 is approximately:

1. 800-1000 words
2. Basic grammar (present, past, and future tenses)
3. simple dialogues (getting to know each other, family, work, shopping)

Based on our experience working with foreign citizens and studying Kazakh, if you learn 10 words a day and attend a speaking club 2-3 times a week, 2-3 months of study with a systematic approach is sufficient. Test results are available within 3 business days.

Stage 2. Point system for assessing foreign citizens.

The test is administered through the digital system KAZTEST in an online format. Anticipating questions regarding data falsification: after KAZTEST, an interview with the commission is expected, where all previously submitted information will also be verified.
Test is passing through digital system KAZTEST.

Completion of the application form on the portal and assessment according to the criteria. A video instruction for completing the application form is attached. At this stage, the immigration potential of the foreign citizen is assessed.

Key points:

• Demographic indicator. Score range: from 0 to 110 points. The greater the potential duration of economic activity, the higher the score. The assessment is carried out automatically based on documented data.
• Level of education. Score range: from 0 to 150 points. The criterion takes into account the level of education, professional training, and potential demand in the labor market.Points are awarded based on confirmed educational documents.
• Experience of study or work in Kazakhstan. Score range: from 0 to 80 points. Experience of work or study in Kazakhstan is considered an advantage.
• Experience of study or work in other countries. Score range: from 0 to 80 points.
  Confirmed experience of education and/or employment outside the Republic of Kazakhstan is taken into account, reflecting adaptability, professional mobility, and the ability to integrate into a new environment.
• Indicators of adaptability of professional competencies. Score range: from 0 to 80 points. The criterion is formed based on a comprehensive assessment of professional skills, level of education, language training, and work experience, which together increase the applicant’s potential for successful integration.
• Additional indicators and conditions. Score range: from 0 to 200 points. For applicants aged 45 and older, this includes social and family factors contributing to sustainable integration, including the presence of close relatives permanently residing in the Republic of Kazakhstan on legal grounds.
• Health condition. Coefficient range: from 0 to 1. The criterion takes into account the impact of the applicant’s health condition on their ability to work and adaptability. The assessment is applied as an adjustment to the overall result based on a medical conclusion.
• Language proficiency level. Knowledge of the Kazakh language. Score range: from 0 to 120 points. The assessment is conducted taking into account the level of proficiency in the state language, which affects the applicant’s social and professional integration. The level of proficiency in the state language is confirmed by official test results submitted by the participant. Proficiency in the Kazakh language is confirmed by a certificate of online diagnostic testing valid on the date of application submission. Points are awarded proportionally to the confirmed level of Kazakh language proficiency or in accordance with the approved assessment scale.
• Additional proficiency in the Russian language: Score range: from 0 to 60 points.
• Additional proficiency in the English language: Score range: from 0 to 60 points.

Preferably, possession of international certificates TRKI and/or IELTS, TOEFL influences the ability for social, professional, and cultural integration into the Republic of Kazakhstan and will also be additionally taken into account within the System of Criteria-Based Assessment of Immigration Potential.

• Presence of a criminal record
• Knowledge of other languages, etc.

The system of criteria-based assessment of immigration potential automatically calculates and assigns points for each criterion based on the data entered by the applicant and the results of verification checks. The points under the system of criteria-based assessment of immigration potential are calculated according to the following formula:

Total score = (Demographic indicator + Education + Language proficiency + Study/work experience in KZ + Study/work experience + Adaptability/Competencies) × Health + Additional conditions.

The minimum passing score under the system of criteria-based assessment of immigration potential is at least 400 points. If the threshold score is not reached, a refusal is issued. Re-submission of the application form is possible:

• after 1 month – first re-submission
• after 3 months – second re-submission
• each subsequent submission is allowed no earlier than 6 months from the date of the previous submission.

Stage 2.2 – review of the application form.
Stage 2.3 – conduct of the interview.
Stage 2.4 – issuance of the decision.

The validity period of the notification is 1 year. It is assumed that within this period an application for a residence permit must be submitted. The process will be carried out online via the portal https://migration.enbek.kz.

Stage 3. Obtaining a Category B8 visa. Previously, this was a mandatory requirement for applying for a residence permit. Currently, it is also possible to submit documents while holding other visa categories, namely investor visas category B9, B9-1, A5, A6.

If there is a bilateral visa-free agreement between the countries, the visa may be obtained after submitting documents for a residence permit.

Stage 4. Submission of documents for a residence permit through the Government for Citizens and subsequent interview. At present, the practice of inviting applicants for an interview exists, but not everyone is summoned. This will now become a mandatory requirement. The processing period from the date of registration is 45 calendar days.

Stage 5. Issuance of the decision and submission of documents to the Public Service Center (PSC) to obtain the residence permit ID card.

LIST OF DOCUMENTS:

1. Proof of financial solvency. Not less than 1320 MCI. Validity period – 180 calendar days.
2. Police clearance certificate with an apostille. Validity period – 180 calendar days. The certificate is required from the country of citizenship and/or permanent residence (in case of change of personal data (full name, date of birth), a police clearance certificate must be provided for both the current and previous name).
3. Notarized lease agreement for a period of at least 6 months.
4. Medical examination certificate. Validity period – 3 months.
5. Payment of the state fee.
6. Photo 3.5 × 4.5 cm.
7. Certificate of completion of fingerprint registration.
8. Lease agreement. Validity period – at least 180 days.
9. Medical certificate. Validity period – 3 months.
10. Application form.
11. Original and copy of passport.
12. Visa of the required category, if applicable.
13. Certificate of completion of the criteria-based assessment under the point system. Except for minors, legally incapacitated persons, investors upon petition of the authorized investment authority, and foreigners possessing in-demand professions, the list of which is approved by the authorized migration authority.
14. Departure sheet or permission for permanent residence departure. Until April 2020, submission of a departure sheet was practiced, then отменена, and now reintroduced.