Golden Visa in Kazakhstan – Altyn Visa
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has launched the Golden Altyn Visa programme. With this initiative, Kazakhstan is opening its doors to:
- Investors
- IT specialists
- Medical professionals
- Engineers
- Entrepreneurs
What is promised:
- Simplified obtaining of a residence permit
- Digital processing through a ‘one-stop shop’ system
- Reduced bureaucracy
- Fast recognition of foreign diplomas
- Potential tax benefits
Against the backdrop of global competition for human capital, Kazakhstan is gradually shifting its focus not only to raw materials, but also to people, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Are there official bills, or is this still at the discussion stage?
This is no longer just talk – there is an official presidential decree and public statements from the authorities. However, a fully-fledged standalone law or detailed regulations have not yet been enacted. The current stage can be described as a “political decision + a government mandate to implement it.”
An important note: at this point it is more of a framework reform and a political direction. The practical details are yet to be developed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Labour, and other government bodies.
Which visas to Kazakhstan are currently available in practice?
There are several comparable options that allow entrepreneurs and digital nomads to legally establish themselves in Kazakhstan:
- A6 – Investor Visa. The closest option in terms of purpose. The visa is granted to foreign businesspersons for a period of 10 years. A minimum investment of USD 300,000 into the economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan is required. Investments must be made through a legal entity.
Possible difficulties: in order to establish a legal entity, the applicant must first obtain a C5 business immigrant visa, after which a limited liability partnership (LLP) is registered and investments are channelled through that entity.
- A5 – Investor Visa. The visa is issued to:
- Heads, deputy heads, and heads of structural divisions of legal entities carrying out investment activities in the Republic of Kazakhstan;
- Foreign nationals and stateless persons making investments under the AIFC Investment Tax Residency Programme;
- Members of their families.
Duration and conditions of stay: a single-entry A5 visa is issued for up to 90 days; a multiple-entry visa is valid for up to 5 years, extendable by up to 3 years within the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The Investor visa application process consists of 3 main stages:
- Obtaining a petition for an investor visa from the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
- Coordinating the letter of invitation with the Migration Service Authority;
- Obtaining the visa at a Kazakhstani consulate in the country of the applicant’s citizenship or permanent residence.
Possible difficulties: the visa is issued to employees of legal entities that hold an investment agreement with the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which must be confirmed by a letter from the Investment Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
- Neo Nomad Visa B12-1. A tourist visa issued to foreign nationals who work remotely and have a steady income from foreign sources. Validity: multiple-entry, up to 1 year. Requirements: any foreign specialist working abroad with a confirmed steady income of at least USD 3,000 per month over the preceding 6 months.
- Digital Nomad Residency. An Astana Hub project aimed at attracting IT specialists. The residence permit is granted for 10 years. Applicants must provide proof of education and a portfolio of their work. Family members may obtain accompanying visas.
- Residence Permit for In-Demand Professions. A programme for medical professionals, engineers, and IT specialists. The residence permit is granted for 10 years. Family members may obtain accompanying visas.
