Obtainment of residence permit in Kazakhstan

Permanent Resident Card is a document issued to foreign nationals in Kazakhstan as a proof of permanent resident status. Unlike other legal documents allowing foreign nationals to stay in Kazakhstan (e.g., work permit, work visa or business immigrant visa) Permanent Resident Card has certain advantages:

1. Requirements of the migration legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan: submission of entry notices, obtaining a work permit, TRP and a work visa, registration of a business immigrant visa, etc. immigration procedures are not applicable.
2. The possibility of purchasing Real Estate.
3. The possibility of purchasing transport.
4. The possibility of registering an LLP, opening a business.
5. In fact, when obtaining a residence permit in Kazakhstan, a foreign citizen receives all the rights that citizens of Kazakhstan have, except the right to vote in elections.

What is the validity of Permanent Resident Card?

Permanent Resident Card is issued for 10 years, or the period foreign passport is valid for. If foreign passport is issued for 5 years, then Permanent Resident Card will be issued for 5-year period in Kazakhstan.

How much time does it take to get Permanent Resident Card in Kazakhstan?

There are several steps of Permanent Resident Card processing that depend on citizenship of the applicant:

1. Obtaining the status of permanent resident in Kazakhstan: B8 visa or Temporary Residence Permit. The procedure takes 5-10 working days on average from the moment of signing the contract with our company. In rare cases, visa processing may take up to 30 calendar days in accordance with the established legal requirements.
2. Submission of documents for a residence permit at the district department of the migration service and consideration of the package of documents by the authorized body. From the date of registration of the application, the technical review period is 45 calendar days.
3. 3. Receiving a written response on the approval of the application and issuing a decision to obtain a residence permit certificate (only a decision on a residence permit is issued) at the migration service at the place of registration.
4. Applying to the PSC for a residence permit. The personal presence of a foreign employee and the owner of the property is required. The residence permit certificate is issued within 17 working days. There are accelerated options for an additional fee: up to 7 working days, while the day of submission does not count.

In general, the process may take from 2 to 4 months.

What are the documents required to get Permanent Resident Card?

List of documents is very long. However, all the documents can be collected while staying in Kazakhstan except Non-Criminal Record Certificate. Some of the documents to be provided:

1. Non-criminal record Certificate from the country of citizenship (or countries in case if holding several citizenships). Non-criminal record certificate is valid for 180 days. It should properly legalized or apostilled from most of the countries excluding countries members of Minsk and Kishinev Conventions. We recommend sending scanned copy first to check the details with authority as format might not be accepted by the authority.
2. A notarized contract for the free provision of housing or a notarized contract for the rental of housing in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
3. Medical certificates. They gather on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan accompanied by our employees.
4. A certificate from the bank about the availability of the required amount.
5. A valid B8 or TRP visa.
6. Application form,
7. Certificate of fingerprinting, etc.

We will be able to provide full list of required information and documents as soon as our contract is signed.

Is it required for foreign resident to be there in person to get PRC in Kazakhstan?

Yes, personal presence is required at several stages. For the most part, we represent the interests of clients on the basis of a power of attorney issued to our employees, but at some stages it is necessary to appear in person, namely:

1. Passing a medical examination and taking fingerprints. The process takes 1 business day. The test results will be collected on the basis of a power of attorney without the participation of a foreign citizen.
2. Submission of documents for a residence permit. The Migration Department requires a personal presence.
3. Receipt of the receipt of documents.
4. Interviews with representatives of the authorized body.
5. Issue of a response with the decision of the authorized body.
6. Applying for a residence permit. Also, the personal presence of the owner of the property is required. With the consent of the owner, it is possible to issue a power of attorney in a notary to our employees, in this case the owner does not need to visit a government agency.

Are there any other specific details you need to know about the process before you apply for Permanent Residents Card in Kazakhstan?

1. Family members will not be able to get a dependent visa.We can get a C11 visa for children, and a C2 family reunification visa for a spouse. The list of documents will be different from the one required for dependent work visa. For example, a spouse(s) will also need a certificate of no criminal record with an apostille/legalization mark, depending on the country of citizenship.
2. There is such a requirement to live in Kazakhstan not less than 183 calendar days in any consequent 12-month period since the Permanent Residence Permit is granted.
3. B8 permanent residence visa category. Before the Permanent Resident Card application process B8 visa should be obtained. Visa is issued in the country of citizenship or country of permanent residence. Visa is issued up to 90-day period that can be extended for up to additional 30 days. According to Migration legislation B8 visa does not authorize foreign resident to work in Kazakhstan. Foreign resident can get B8 visa in Kazakhstan, however, applicant should have a C3 work visa to do so.

Action plan of getting Permanent Resident Card in Kazakhstan

1. Familiarization with migration legislation.
2. Collection of documents by a foreign specialist.
3. Passing a medical examination and fingerprinting.
4. Document analysis by DOS Immigration specialists and initial verification by the migration inspector.
5. Registration of an application for a residence permit.
6. Receipt of a coupon for reviewing documents.
7. Review of documents and issuance of a permit to obtain a residence permit.
8. Submission of documents for obtaining a residence permit in the PSC.
9. Issuance of a certificate.

What do you need to know when applying for a residence permit?

• a foreigner must stay in the Republic of Kazakhstan for at least 183 days in a calendar year after obtaining a residence permit. If the period of stay in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan is less than 183 days during a calendar year, the residence permit will be canceled.
• it is necessary to reissue a driver’s license within 60 calendar days after obtaining a residence permit, if there is an intention to use personal vehicles.
• A residence permit is issued only for a foreign passport.

Are there any exceptions in order not to provide funds confirmation?

Yes, there are some exceptions. According to the article 4 of Kazakhstani Law of Legal position of foreigners those who are ethnically Kazakh, people who are born in Kazakhstan or those who ever held citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic are not required to have confirmation on their funds.

Can you leave the country when Permanent Resident Card’s documents are in process?

There is no requirement for mandatory stay in the Republic of Kazakhstan for the period of consideration of a residence permit. At the same time, the migration officer can call for an interview at any time. We recommend staying in the Republic of Kazakhstan, and in case of departure, have good reasons. 

Also, it should be taken into account that if you apply for a single-entry B8 visa, it will be canceled, so if you plan important trips for the period of obtaining a residence permit, initially apply for a multiple-entry B8 visa.

What laws describe Permanent Resident Card application process and requirements?

You can find all necessary documents on our website https://dos-immigration.kz/en/legislation/

What is the renewal process for Permanent Resident Card?

Renewal Process for Permanent Resident Card is much easier than initial application in Kazakhstan. We recommend collecting all required documents at least two months before an expiration date. Filing the application is possible not earlier than 30 calendar days before an expiration date.

What if an address on Temporary Residence Permit does not match the address in the rent agreement?

It is enough to submit a notification of a change of permanent residence address. A new TRP does not need to be issued.

My profession is not on the list of high demand professions. Is it still possible to get Permanent Resident Card through simplified procedure?

Yes, it is possible. However, this should be confirmed by an authorized Ministry. A written request should be sent and, if confirmation is received, this document should be enclosed to the Permanent Resident Card application.

Is it possible to issue a residence permit for a child?

Children under 16 years of age do not need a residence permit, they need to apply for a visa.