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

There are different procedures for obtaining permanent residence for foreign citizens in Kazakhstan. In the article below, we describe the main pathways for obtaining permanent residence for foreign citizens.

1) Obtaining Permanent Residence through In-Demand Professions

List of in-demand professions

Distinctive features:

• A petition from the relevant sectoral ministry confirming compliance with the list of in-demand professions is required.
• A mandatory condition is the existence of an employment contract in the Republic of Kazakhstan with a local company.
  A foreign citizen must work in the profession previously confirmed by the relevant sectoral ministry. It is possible to submit the request online.
• Permanent residence may be canceled if the applicant does not work in the specified profession for one hundred eighty-three calendar days within a 12-month period.
• Proof of financial solvency is not required.
• KAZTEST is not required.
• Passing the criterion-based assessment system is not required.
• There are no city restrictions; it is possible in any region of Kazakhstan.
• A departure sheet from the country of citizenship is required.
• Processing of visa categories B9, B9-1

Article on obtaining permanent residence through in-demand professions. Completed case.

2) Digital Nomad Residency for IT Specialists through Astana Hub

Distinctive features:

• Only for IT specialists in in-demand professions.
• Online testing and an online interview.
• Issuance of a preliminary decision before arrival in Kazakhstan.
• There is no need to work in the profession in Kazakhstan. A remote work format for a company outside Kazakhstan is acceptable.
• Proof of financial solvency is not required.
• Obtaining a category B8 visa for permanent residence is not required for citizens of visa-free countries.
• KAZTEST is not required.
• Passing the criterion-based assessment system is not required.
• There are city restrictions, only for the cities of Almaty and Astana.
• A departure sheet from the country of citizenship is required.
• A B9-1 visa will be required for countries with a visa regime.

Article on obtaining permanent residence under the Astana Hub – Digital Nomad Residency. Completed cases.

3) Obtaining Permanent Residence under the Simplified Procedure.

What does the simplified procedure mean?

• There is no need to take a language test
• Pass the criterion-based assessment
• Be tied to specific regions
• Confirm financial solvency, etc.

Who falls under the exceptions:

• all former compatriots
• foreign citizens, arriving for family reunification with spouses who have been married for at least 1 year. The inviting persons may be either citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan or persons holding permanent residence.
• Foreign citizens over the age of 60 arriving for family reunification. The inviting persons may be either citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan or persons holding permanent residence.
• Foreign citizens making a significant contribution to economic development, participating in the implementation of priority economic and social projects, or possessing unique competencies and achievements, upon petitions from authorized state bodies

4) Obtaining Permanent Residence under the Standard Procedure

Permanent residence under the standard procedure.

The changes affected the protocol for obtaining permanent residence under the standard procedure. Order of the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development, and the Ministry of Digital Development dated 13.02.2026. The changes entered into force on the date of publication of the Order. Key points:

— This is a pilot project, which will remain in effect until 31.12.2026. All applications submitted before 18 February 2026 will be reviewed under the standard procedure.

IMPORTANT POINT: The changes do not affect permanent residence extension procedures, only initial issuance.

Main Changes and Step-by-Step Action Plan for Obtaining Permanent Residence under the New Protocol:

Step 1. It is necessary to pass an online test of Kazakh language proficiency (KAZTEST). Applications are accepted through the online resource https://app.testcenter.kz/ of the National Testing Center under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NTC). The test includes two sections:

1. Listening (20 tasks in 20 minutes)
2. Reading (40 tasks in 50 minutes).

It is necessary to confirm language proficiency at the B2 level.

The test is taken online through the KAZTEST digital system. Anticipating questions about data falsification, after KAZTEST an interview with the commission is expected. All previously submitted information will also be verified there.

Step 2. Point-based assessment system for foreign citizens.

• Filling out the form on the portal and assessment according to the criteria. We attach a video guide on completing the form. 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 more points are awarded. The assessment is carried out automatically based on documented data.
• Education level. 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 supporting educational documents.
• Experience of study or work in Kazakhstan. Score range: from 0 to 80 points. If there is experience of work or study in Kazakhstan, this is a plus.
• Experience of study or work in other countries. Score range: from 0 to 80 points. Verified experience of study 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 on the basis of a combined assessment of professional skills, education level, 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 that contribute to sustainable integration, including the presence of close relatives lawfully and permanently residing in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
• Health status. Coefficient range: from 0 to 1. The criterion takes into account the effect of the applicant’s health status on work capacity and adaptability. The assessment is applied as an adjustment to the overall result based on a medical opinion.
• Language proficiency. Knowledge of the Kazakh language. Score range: from 0 to 120 points. The assessment is carried out taking into account proficiency in the state language, which affects the applicant’s social and professional integration. The assessment of proficiency in the state language is based on official test results submitted by the participant. The level of proficiency in the Kazakh language is confirmed by an online diagnostic testing certificate 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 Russian: Score range: from 0 to 60 points.
• Additional proficiency in English: Score range: from 0 to 60 points.

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

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

The minimum passing score under the criterion-based immigration potential assessment system is at least 600 points.

If the threshold score is not reached, a refusal will be issued. Re-submission of the form is possible:

1. after 1 month — first retry
2. after 3 months — second retry
3. each subsequent submission is allowed no earlier than 6 months from the date of the previous submission.

Step 2.2 Review of the application form.

Step 2.3 Conducting the interview.

Step 2.4 Issuance of the decision.

The notification is valid for 1 year. It is assumed that within this period it is necessary to submit the application for permanent residence. The process will take place online through the portal https://migration.enbek.kz

Step 3. Obtaining a category B8 visa. Previously, this was a mandatory requirement for applying for permanent residence. Now documents may also be submitted when holding other visa categories, namely B9, B9-1, A5, A6.

If there is a bilateral visa-free agreement between the countries, the visa can be obtained after submitting the permanent residence documents

Step 4. Submission of documents for permanent residence through the Government for Citizens and then an interview. At present, the practice of inviting applicants to an interview exists, but not everyone is called. Now this will become a mandatory requirement. The document review period from the date of registration is 45 calendar days.

Step 5. Issuance of the decision and submission of documents to the Public Service Center to obtain the permanent residence identity card.

IMPORTANT POINT:

• Permanent residence under the standard procedure can only be obtained in certain regions (East Kazakhstan Region, Kostanay Region, Pavlodar Region, North Kazakhstan Region, Abai Region, Ulytau and others — Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 04.09.2023 No. 765).
• It is necessary to reside in the relevant region for at least 1 year before submitting the permanent residence application and for 5 years after obtaining it.
• Financial solvency must be confirmed every year after obtaining permanent residence for 5 years.

LIST OF DOCUMENTS

1. Proof of financial solvency. Not less than 1320 MCI.
2. Police clearance certificate with an apostille. Validity period: 180 calendar days. The certificate is required from the state of citizenship and/or permanent residence (in the event of a change of personal data, including full name or date of birth, it is necessary to provide a police clearance certificate both for the current and previous surname).
3. Notarized lease agreement for a term of at least 6 months.
4. Payment of the state fee
5. Photo 3.5 x 4.5
6. Certificate of completion of fingerprinting
7. Lease agreement. Validity period: at least 180 days.
8. Medical certificate. Validity period: 3 months.
9. Application form.
10. Original and copy of the passport.
11. Visa of the required category, if required.
12. Certificate confirming completion of the criterion-based point-based assessment. Except for minors, legally incapacitated persons, investors upon petition of the authorized investment body, and foreign citizens with in-demand professions, the list of which is approved by the authorized migration authority.
13. Departure sheet or permission to leave for permanent residence abroad. Until April 2020, there was a practice of providing a departure sheet. Then it was abolished. Now it has been introduced again.

IMPORTANT POINT: The requirements regarding the criterion-based assessment and knowledge of the Kazakh language do not apply to specialists in in-demand professions, applicants under the Digital Nomad Residency and children under 18 years of age.