Permanent Residency in Kazakhstan for Foreigners in 2026: Requirements, Documents, and Application Process

Obtaining permanent residence permission and applying for a residence permit are two consecutive stages. First, a foreign national obtains permission for permanent residence in Kazakhstan and then applies for a residence permit. In 2026, the state fee is 4 MCI (KZT 17,300) for permanent residence permission and 0.2 MCI (KZT 865) for the residence permit. Applicants covered by the pilot project may be required to take a Kazakh language test and undergo a points-based assessment. Requirements regarding regional residence, employment or income, and financial solvency vary by applicant category, with certain exemptions available.

Under the pilot project, which runs until December 31, 2026, applicants subject to the general procedure must meet additional requirements, including residing for at least one year in one of the designated resettlement regions. Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent are not included on this list. Exemptions apply to certain categories of applicants, while information and communications technology specialists may qualify for a separate Digital Nomad Residency procedure in Astana and Almaty.

Information verified against the legislation of Kazakhstan as of October 19, 2026. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

• Permanent Residence (PR) — a decision by the migration authorities granting a foreign national permission to reside permanently in Kazakhstan.
• Residence Permit (RP) — a document that identifies a foreign national in Kazakhstan and confirms their authorization for permanent residence. It is issued to individuals aged 16 and over.
• Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) — a permit for temporary residence in Kazakhstan for a specific purpose, such as employment, education, family reunification, or business.

A TRP and a residence permit are different documents with different legal grounds. A TRP is issued for temporary residence on a qualifying basis, such as work or study. A residence permit is obtained after receiving permission for permanent residence. Therefore, working, studying, or establishing a company does not automatically mean that a foreign national needs a residence permit; the appropriate immigration status must first be determined.

A pilot project for issuing permanent residence permits is in effect from January 30 to December 31, 2026. The requirements depend on the applicant’s category, and not every foreign national is required to complete every stage or meet every condition.

Applicants covered by the pilot’s general procedure are subject to the following procedures and requirements:

1. Kazakh language test. The minimum passing score is 70% in each section. The rules allow a limited number of retakes. Before registering, check the requirements, deadlines, and fees on the official platform.

2. Points-based assessment on migration.enbek.kz. The minimum passing score is 600 points. The assessment may take up to 30 business days.

3. Residence in a designated region. Applicants subject to this requirement must have legally resided for at least one year in one of the designated regions: Akmola Region (excluding the city of Kosshy and the Arshaly and Tselinograd districts), East Kazakhstan, Kostanay, Pavlodar, and North Kazakhstan regions, as well as Abai and Ulytau regions. Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent are not included in this list.

4. Interview with the migration authorities. Required where specified by the applicable procedure.

5. Employment or income. This requirement applies to certain categories of applicants. Applicants must provide evidence of continuous employment or business activity in Kazakhstan during the 12 months preceding the application, or demonstrate an income of at least one monthly minimum wage per eligible family member. In 2026, the monthly minimum wage is KZT 85,000.

Exemptions from the language test, points-based assessment, regional residence requirement, employment or income requirement, and proof of financial solvency vary by applicant category. Exemption from one requirement does not automatically exempt an applicant from the others.

Before applying, check the requirements applicable to your category and the latest version of the relevant legislation. The pilot project remains in effect until December 31, 2026. The procedure after that date should be checked separately.

Foreign nationals who are legally staying in Kazakhstan may apply for permanent residence permission if they meet the applicable requirements. Eligible categories include:

• Foreign nationals holding a B8 permanent residence visa.

• Foreign nationals holding an A5 or A6 investor visa issued following a request from the authorized investment body.

• Foreign nationals holding a B9 or B9-1 visa under the list of in-demand professions.

• Citizens of visa-exempt countries; a B8 visa is issued after they submit the required documents.

• Ethnic Kazakhs holding a visa of any category.

• Refugees.

Exemptions depend on the specific requirement. Exemptions from language testing, the points-based assessment, regional residence, proof of employment or income, and financial solvency should not be treated as one general list. Different categories qualify for different exemptions. For example, specific exemptions apply to certain investors, holders of in-demand professions, minors, former compatriots, ethnic Kazakhs, and certain family categories. Each exemption must be checked against the relevant provision of the current rules.

The language testing and points-based assessment requirements do not apply to certain categories, including some applicants arriving for employment, business immigration, investment, or education, as well as certain family and social categories. However, exemption from these procedures does not by itself establish eligibility for permanent residence or automatically waive other requirements. Application conditions and required documents must be checked according to the applicant’s specific grounds for applying.

Ethnic Kazakhs and certain other categories qualify for specific exemptions under the pilot project. The status of kandas (an ethnic Kazakh returning to Kazakhstan) and permission for permanent residence are separate legal matters; eligibility for kandas status should not be described as automatic approval for permanent residence.

Special rules apply to investors, holders of in-demand professions, and individuals for whom an authorized government body has submitted a petition recognizing their significant contribution to the economy. Exemptions for family members depend on the specific grounds and requirements. Before applying, confirm the applicable conditions with the migration authorities.

IT specialists: a separate pilot in Astana and Almaty

The Digital Nomad Residency pilot is available to specialists in information and communications technology until December 31, 2026. Applications are submitted in Astana and Almaty rather than in the designated resettlement regions. The Kazakh language test, points-based assessment, and proof of funds amounting to 1,320 MCI are not listed among the document requirements for this pilot.

How the Process Works

1. Obtain a recommendation from the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. Apply through astanahub.com. You will need an Individual Identification Number (IIN) and a digital signature. The application must include a copy of your international passport (valid for more than 180 days), a diploma (if available), a portfolio, a professional development certificate, a CV, a motivation letter, a criminal record certificate, and a digital photo measuring 35 × 45 mm. Astana Hub checks the documents and invites applicants to a video interview within two business days. Following the interview, the Ministry issues a recommendation confirming that the applicant meets the requirements for an in-demand profession.

2. Obtain preliminary approval through egov.kz before relocating. Attach a copy of your international passport (valid for more than 180 days), a 35 × 45 mm photo, the recommendation, and a criminal record certificate from your country of citizenship and/or permanent residence, legalized by a Kazakhstani consulate. Proof of accommodation is submitted after arrival in Kazakhstan, when applying for final approval. Preliminary applications are processed within up to 45 calendar days; the coordination process and the timelines for individual checks are governed by the pilot rules.

3. Enter Kazakhstan within 30 days. Preliminary approval is valid for 30 calendar days. If you do not arrive and contact the migration service within this period, the approval will be cancelled, and you may only reapply after one year.

4. Obtain final approval at a Public Service Center (PSC). After arriving, you must undergo a medical examination (Form 028/u), complete fingerprint registration, arrange a notarized accommodation agreement valid for at least 180 days, and submit the required documents at a PSC. The migration service verifies the original documents within three business days. The decision is sent to your personal account on egov.kz.

5. Apply for a residence permit. The residence permit is issued under the standard procedure. You will need your international passport, notification of approval, and proof of payment of the state fee of 0.2 MCI. If your application is rejected, you may reapply no earlier than one year later.

The exact list of required documents depends on the applicant’s category and application procedure. The following is a general checklist. Before applying, verify it against the current version of the rules and the requirements of the Public Service Center (PSC) or migration service.

• Application form — using the form in Appendix 8 to the current version of Rules No. 992.
• International passport — original and copy; the passport must be valid for more than 180 calendar days on the application date. Applicants who require a visa must hold the appropriate visa.
• Notification confirming completion of the points-based assessment, unless the applicant is exempt.
• Proof of financial solvency or a document confirming exemption from this requirement.
• Criminal record certificate from the country of citizenship and/or permanent residence, subject to applicable validity and legalization requirements.
• Proof of accommodation: a notarized accommodation agreement or a statement confirming the provision of housing. If the applicant owns the property, proof of ownership is required. The accommodation document must remain valid for 180 calendar days from the date it is issued.
• Medical certificate (Form 028/u) confirming the absence of diseases that prohibit entry.
• One photograph measuring 35 × 45 mm.
• Proof of payment of the state fee for permanent residence permission — 4 MCI.
• Fingerprint registration certificate.
• Consent to the processing of personal data in the prescribed form.
• Documents confirming special eligibility grounds, if applying as an investor, a specialist in an in-demand profession, or on the basis of a petition from a government authority.
• Documents for a child and consent, where the application concerns a minor. The applicable age requirements and consent format are determined by the relevant rules.
• Documents confirming departure from the country of citizenship or the absence of restrictions, if required under the applicable rules and issued by the relevant country.

Financial Solvency: 1,320 MCI in a Bank Account

If the applicant is required to prove financial solvency, their bank account must contain at least 1,320 MCI — KZT 5,709,000 in 2026, based on an MCI of KZT 4,325. The funds must remain in the account while the application is being processed. After receiving permanent residence permission, applicants subject to this requirement must provide proof annually for five years.

The rules provide exemptions for certain categories, including some former compatriots, investors, minors, specialists in in-demand professions, ethnic Kazakhs, certain individuals eligible for a simplified citizenship procedure, and some of their family members. The applicable exemptions depend on the legal grounds and relevant regulations. Exemption from language testing or the regional residence requirement does not automatically exempt an applicant from proving financial solvency.

Translation and Apostille

Documents in foreign languages must be translated into Kazakh or Russian, with the translation certified by a notary. Documents issued by foreign government authorities must be apostilled or undergo consular legalization unless an exemption applies under national law or an international treaty. Specific documents may have additional requirements regarding originals, copies, and apostille procedures, so check these before applying.

If you are collecting documents abroad, arrange for certificates to be issued as close as possible to your application date to ensure they remain valid when submitted to the Public Service Center (PSC).

1. Check whether the language test and points-based assessment apply to you. If they do, complete the required stages and obtain the necessary notification.

2. Prepare the documents required for your category. Where necessary, arrange translations and complete the required legalization, medical examination, and fingerprint registration procedures.

3. Submit your documents through the designated channel and to the appropriate office under the applicable procedure. Under the general route, applications are usually submitted to a Public Service Center (PSC) in the relevant region where you reside.

4. Wait for the documents to be reviewed and for the migration authorities to make a decision. Interviews and additional approvals are required where specified by the applicable procedure. Under the general procedure, processing of permanent residence permission takes up to 45 calendar days.

5. If your application is refused, reapplying under the general pilot procedure may be restricted for one year. Check the wording of the decision and the rules applicable to your specific application route.

6. Once permission is granted, register your place of residence and apply for a residence permit (RP). You will need a valid international passport, notification confirming approval, and proof of payment of the state fee.

7. Under the standard procedure, the residence permit is issued within up to 17 business days. Expedited processing takes up to 7 business days and requires an additional fee.

KAZTEST: KZT 9,000 per attempt.

Points-based assessment: up to 30 business days, with no separate state fee.

Permanent residence permission: up to 45 calendar days; state fee — KZT 17,300 (4 MCI).

Residence permit: up to 17 business days; state fee — KZT 865 (0.2 MCI). Expedited processing takes up to 7 business days, with an additional fee of KZT 1,116.

Proof of financial solvency: KZT 5,709,000 (1,320 MCI), if this requirement applies to the applicant. This is the amount that must be held in a bank account, not an application fee.

Estimated basic costs: from KZT 27,165, assuming one KAZTEST attempt and excluding translations, notarization, apostille, medical certificates, and other additional expenses.

The calculations are based on the 2026 MCI of KZT 4,325. Requirements and fees should be verified before submitting the application.

A residence permit is issued for up to 10 years, but never beyond the validity of the applicant’s national passport. If the passport has four years remaining, the residence permit will also be issued for four years.

A residence permit must be replaced when it expires, is lost or damaged, or the holder’s citizenship changes.

The pilot project rules list 31 grounds for refusing permanent residence permission, while the grounds for revocation are regulated separately. The examples below are not exhaustive. Some grounds apply only to applicants who are subject to the relevant pilot project requirements.

Permanent residence permission may be refused, for example, if:

• The applicant has submitted forged documents or knowingly provided false information.
• The applicant has failed to undergo mandatory fingerprint registration, where applicable.
• The applicant was deported from Kazakhstan within the five years preceding the application for permanent residence permission.
• The applicant has an outstanding or unexpunged criminal conviction, or other circumstances specified by law apply.
• The applicant does not meet the requirements applicable to their category, such as mandatory regional residence, employment or income, or proof of financial solvency.
• The applicant does not reside at the address stated in the application.
• The application has received a negative result during a mandatory approval procedure, or other grounds expressly provided for by law have been identified.

An already issued permanent residence permit may be revoked, in particular, if:

• The foreign national resides in Kazakhstan for fewer than 183 calendar days during any consecutive 12-month period, except in cases provided for by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
• The permit was issued on the basis of an in-demand profession, but the individual does not work in that profession for the period required by the applicable rules.
• The applicant relocates permanently to another region of Kazakhstan before completing five years of residence in the designated settlement region, if this restriction applies to them.
• The applicant fails to provide annual proof of financial solvency when required to do so.
• Another ground for revocation specified in the applicable regulations arises.

Important: Not every ground applies to all foreign nationals. For example, the absence of employment or income, failure to prove financial solvency, and non-compliance with regional residence requirements are relevant only depending on the applicant’s category and the exceptions provided by law. A refusal decision may be appealed in accordance with the established procedure.

If your situation does not fit the standard procedure, for example, if you have come to Kazakhstan for work and are unsure whether you need to undergo the assessment, describe your task on LexiComb. Verified specialists in Kazakhstan will send you their offers, allowing you to compare prices and timelines in a consistent format. Payment is processed through the platform, and the specialist receives the funds after you accept the completed work.

Sources

1. Rules for Issuing Temporary and Permanent Residence Permits to Foreign Nationals and Stateless Persons in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Order No. 992 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated December 4, 2015, as amended. The primary source on application requirements, required documents, processing times, and grounds for refusal: https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/V1500012880
2. Order No. 454 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated June 29, 2026, introducing amendments to the rules for issuing temporary and permanent residence permits: https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/V2600039143
3. Order No. 166 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated March 6, 2026, introducing amendments to the rules for issuing temporary and permanent residence permits: https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/V2600038127
4. Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Population Migration.” Legal grounds for permanent residence, as well as grounds for refusing or revoking a residence permit: https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/Z1100000477
5. Pilot Project for Issuing Permanent Residence Permits and Granting or Extending Qandas Status, Joint Order No. 41, No. 60, and No. 47 dated January 30, 2026. Information on testing, assessment, and interviews: https://old.adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/G26G0000041
6. Digital Nomad Residency, Joint Order No. 241/НҚ dated May 6, 2026, and Order No. 301 dated April 24, 2026. Official pilot project rules for specialists in information and communication services in Astana and Almaty: https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/G26IPM00241
7. Issuance of Residence Permits to Foreign Nationals Permanently Residing in Kazakhstan, e-government portal. Information on state fees and processing times for residence permit cards: https://www.gov.kz/situations/149/421
8. Temporary Residence Permit in the Republic of Kazakhstan, e-government portal. Information on temporary residence permits and the documents required to obtain them: https://egov.kz/cms/ru/services/for_foreigners/00203002_mvd
9. Rules for Confirming the Financial Solvency of Foreign Nationals Applying for Permanent Residence, Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated June 30, 2023: https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/V2300033001