How to Obtain a Residence Permit (RP) 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.

For how long can a residence permit be issued in Kazakhstan?

A residence permit is issued for 10 years or for the validity period of the passport. If the passport is valid for 5 years, the residence permit will therefore be issued for 5 years.

How long does the application process take?

Depending on the foreign employee’s citizenship, obtaining a residence permit involves several stages. On average, the process takes 3 months. The main stages are listed below. Please note that different procedures apply, so the document requirements and stages may vary.

1. Obtaining permanent resident status in Kazakhstan: B8 visa, B9 visa, or a temporary residence permit (TRP). On average, this stage takes 5-10 business days from the date the agreement with our company is signed. In rare cases, visa processing may take up to 30 calendar days in accordance with statutory requirements.
2. Obtaining pre-approval under the in-demand occupations pathway or the Astana Hub Digital Nomad Residency program – up to 1 month.
3. Submitting residence permit documents to the district migration service office and review of the document package by the competent authority. From the date the application is registered, the administrative processing time is 45 calendar days.
4. Receiving written confirmation that the application has been approved and a decision authorizing issuance of the residence permit card (only the residence permit decision is issued) from the migration service at the place of registration.
5. Applying to a Public Service Center (PSC) for the residence permit card. The foreign employee and property owner must be present in person. The residence permit card is issued within 17 business days. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee: up to 7 business days, excluding the submission date.

What options are available for obtaining a residence permit?

In 2026, significant changes were made to Kazakhstan’s residence permit procedures. There are now two main pathways: a simplified procedure that does not require taking the KazTest and the standard procedure.

Simplified residence permit options. Who is eligible?

– IT professionals. Obtaining a residence permit for IT professionals through the Astana Hub Digital Nomad Residency program. Applicants must first confirm their qualifications, pass professional assessments, and complete an online interview. They may then apply online for a residence permit with a supporting petition. The process takes about 3 months. It is a simplified procedure with no Kazakh language test or criteria-based assessment. Key points: the program operates only in Almaty and Astana. Applicants must work in their occupation for at least 183 days within a 12-month period.

– In-demand professionals. Obtaining a residence permit under the in-demand occupations pathway. A petition is submitted to the relevant sectoral ministry. A commission reviews the documents and issues instructions to the regional migration authorities. This simplified procedure does not require a Kazakh language test or a criteria-based assessment. Key points: applicants must work in their occupation for at least 183 days within a 12-month period. Applications may be submitted in any region of Kazakhstan.

– Foreign citizens who make a significant contribution to economic development, participate in priority economic and social projects, or possess unique expertise and achievements, upon petition by authorized government bodies.

– Former compatriots.

– Foreign citizens seeking reunification with a spouse to whom they have been married for at least 1 year. The inviting party may be either a citizen of Kazakhstan or a residence permit holder.

– Foreign citizens over 60 years of age seeking family reunification. The inviting party may be either a citizen of Kazakhstan or a residence permit holder.

Key advantages of the simplified procedure:

• No language test is required
• No criteria-based assessment is required
• No requirement to reside in specific regions
• No proof of financial solvency is required, etc.

What documents are required to obtain a residence permit?

The list is fairly extensive. The advantage is that almost the entire package can be collected while in Kazakhstan. The exception is the police clearance certificate. Key documents to be submitted include:

1. A police clearance certificate issued in the country or countries of citizenship if the applicant has dual citizenship. The certificate is valid for 180 days from the date of issue. For most countries, an apostille or legalization is required, except for parties to the Minsk and Chisinau Conventions. We recommend sending a scanned copy for preliminary approval by the competent authority, as the certificate format is sometimes not accepted.
2. A notarized agreement for the gratuitous use of housing, a notarized rental agreement for housing in Kazakhstan, or consent to reside at the address.
3. Medical certificates. These are obtained in Kazakhstan with assistance from our employees.
4. A valid B8 visa or TRP.
5. Application form
6. A fingerprinting certificate
7. A petition from the competent authority for in-demand occupations, etc.

We can send the full list of required documents and information after the service agreement has been signed.

Is a foreign citizen required to be present in person to obtain a residence permit in Kazakhstan?

Yes, personal attendance is required at several stages. We represent our clients in most matters under powers of attorney issued to our employees, but the applicant must appear in person at certain stages, namely:

1. Completing a medical examination and providing fingerprints. The process takes 1 business day. Test results will be collected under a power of attorney without the foreign citizen’s participation.
2. Submitting residence permit documents. The migration department requires the applicant to be present in person.
3. Receiving a receipt confirming acceptance of the documents.
4. Interview with representatives of the competent authority.
5. Receiving the competent authority’s decision.
6. Submitting an application for the residence permit card. The property owner must also be present in person. With the owner’s consent, a notarized power of attorney may be issued to our employees; in that case, the owner does not need to visit the government office.

Are there any other details I should know in advance?

1. Family members cannot obtain dependent visas under the principal applicant’s status. We can obtain a C11 visa for children and a family reunification C2 visa for a spouse. The required document package will differ, for example, from that for a dependent work visa. The spouse will also need a police clearance certificate bearing an apostille or legalization, depending on the country of citizenship.
2. The permit holder must reside in the Republic of Kazakhstan for at least 183 calendar days within any consecutive 12-month period from the date the permanent residence authorization is issued.
3. Obtaining a B8 permanent residence visa. Before submitting a residence permit application, the applicant must first obtain a B8 visa. This visa is issued in the country of citizenship or permanent residence. It is issued for up to 90 days and may be extended for an additional 30 days. Under immigration law, a B8 visa does not grant the right to work. A B8 visa may also be obtained in Kazakhstan, provided the applicant holds a C3 work visa.

What is the step-by-step process for obtaining a residence permit in Kazakhstan?

1. Reviewing immigration legislation.
2. Collecting the foreign professional’s documents.
3. Completing a medical examination and fingerprinting.
4. Review of the documents by DOS Immigration specialists and preliminary review by a migration inspector.
5. Registering the residence permit application.
6. Receiving a receipt confirming that the documents are under review.
7. Review of the documents and issuance of permission to obtain a residence permit.
8. Submitting documents for the residence permit card at a Public Service Center.
9. Receiving the residence permit card.

What should applicants know when applying for a residence permit?

• A foreign citizen must remain in Kazakhstan for at least 183 days per calendar year after obtaining the residence permit. If the foreign citizen spends fewer than 183 days in Kazakhstan during a calendar year, the residence permit will be revoked.
• The foreign citizen must exchange their driver’s license within 60 calendar days after obtaining the residence permit if they intend to drive a personal vehicle.
• A residence permit can be issued only on the basis of a valid international passport.

Can I leave the country while my residence permit application is under review?

Applicants are not required to remain in Kazakhstan while their residence permit application is under review. However, a migration officer may summon the applicant for an interview at any time.

We recommend remaining in Kazakhstan and having compelling reasons for any travel abroad. Please also note that a single-entry B8 visa is canceled upon departure. Therefore, if you plan important trips while your residence permit is being processed, you should obtain a multiple-entry B8 visa from the outset.

Which laws and regulations govern the residence permit process?

Links to the applicable legislation are available on our website: https://dos-immigration.kz/legislation/

How is a residence permit renewed?

The residence permit renewal procedure in Kazakhstan is much simpler than the initial application process. We recommend beginning to collect documents 2 months before the residence permit expires. An application may be submitted no earlier than 30 calendar days before the expiration date.

The address in my TRP does not match the address in my property rental agreement. What should I do?

It is sufficient to submit a notification of change of permanent residence address. A new TRP is not required.

My occupation is on the list of in-demand occupations. Can I obtain a residence permit under the simplified procedure?

Yes, this is possible. However, inclusion of the occupation on the list of in-demand occupations must be confirmed by the relevant sectoral ministry. A request must be submitted, and if confirmed, the document must be included in the main application package.

Current list of in-demand occupations

Can a child obtain a residence permit?

Children under 16 do not require a residence permit; they need a visa.

Details of the standard residence permit procedure are available in our article.

Key points:

• Requirement to reside in designated regions for at least 1 year before applying and for at least 5 years after obtaining the residence permit
• Kazakh language proficiency test
• Criteria-based assessment of the applicant
• Proof of financial solvency