Residence Permit in Kazakhstan for Foreigners in 2026: Requirements, Documents, Processing Times, and Costs

Briefly. Obtaining a residence permit in Kazakhstan involves two stages. First, the migration service issues a permanent residence permit (PRP), and then you apply for the residence permit card for a foreign national. The PRP application takes 45 calendar days to process, while the residence permit card takes up to 17 business days. The fees are 4 MCI for the PRP and 0.2 MCI for the residence permit card, which in 2026 amounts to KZT 17,300 and KZT 865, respectively. Most applicants must maintain a bank balance of at least 1,320 MCI, and from 2026, they must also pass a Kazakh language test and undergo a points-based assessment.

The main change in 2026: under the general procedure, applications for permanent residence in Almaty, Astana, or Shymkent are not permitted. Applicants must first have legally resided for one year in one of seven designated resettlement regions. Exceptions apply to investors, in-demand professionals, spouses, and several other categories, while IT specialists have a separate procedure specifically for Astana and Almaty.

The information was verified against Kazakhstan's regulatory acts on October 14, 2026. This is an overview, not legal advice.

🡺 PRP (Permanent Residence Permit) — a decision issued by the migration service allowing a foreign national to reside permanently in Kazakhstan.

🡺 Residence Permit (RP) — a document that identifies a foreign national in Kazakhstan and confirms that they have permission for permanent residence. It is issued from the age of 16.

🡺 TRP (Temporary Residence Permit) — for temporary stay for a specific purpose: employment, study, family reunification, or business.

In everyday conversation, a TRP is often also called a residence permit, but legally, they are different statuses. There is no separate “work residence permit” or “business residence permit.” If you come to Kazakhstan to work or establish a company, you usually obtain a visa and a TRP first, and consider permanent residence later.

From January 30 to December 31, 2026, a pilot project is in effect, and the procedure for obtaining permanent residence has changed. The new requirements include:

1. Kazakh language test. An online KAZTEST assessment, with a minimum score of 70% in each section. You can retake it no more than twice within 30 days, and each attempt is paid.

2. Application on migration.enbek.kz. The system automatically awards points for immigration potential, with a passing score of 600. The assessment takes up to 30 business days.

3. One year in a designated resettlement region. You can apply only if you have legally resided for at least one year in one of the following 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. Applications are accepted at the Public Service Center (PSC) at your place of residence in that region.

4. An interview with the migration service.

5. Employment or income. You must have been continuously employed or engaged in business activities in Kazakhstan for the 12 months preceding the application. Alternatively, your income must be at least one minimum monthly wage (KZT 85,000 in 2026) per family member.

Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent are not included in the designated resettlement regions.

The rules for 2027 are not yet known. Before applying, check whether the pilot project is still in effect.

A permanent residence permit (PRP) can be requested by foreign nationals who are legally present in Kazakhstan:

🡺 with a B8 permanent residence visa;

🡺 with an A5 or A6 investor visa issued upon the request of the authorized investment body;

🡺 with a B9 or B9-1 visa under the list of in-demand professions;

🡺 citizens of visa-free countries — a B8 visa is issued to them after they submit their documents;

🡺 ethnic Kazakhs, with a visa of any category;

🡺 refugees.

Who is exempt from the test, assessment, and one-year regional residence requirement. Investors, holders of in-demand professions, individuals supported by a government body as important to the economy, and their families and minor children. Other exemptions apply to former compatriots, parents over 60 who are joining their children, and spouses of Kazakhstani citizens or foreign nationals with permanent residence, provided the marriage has lasted at least one year.

Ethnic Kazakhs are exempt from the one-year regional residence and income requirements. They also have a separate procedure for obtaining kandas status.

If you came to work or do business. The testing rules explicitly state that they do not apply to those who came for employment, business immigration, investment, or study. However, the list of documents for permanent residence exempts only investors and holders of in-demand professions from the assessment. To clarify how this works in practice, contact the migration service before applying.

IT specialists: a separate pilot program in Astana and Almaty

For specialists in information and communication services, the “Digital Nomad Residency” pilot program is in effect until December 31, 2026. Applications under this program are submitted in Astana and Almaty, not 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 required documents for this pilot program.

How it works:

1. Letter of support from the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. Applications are submitted through astanahub.com. You need an Individual Identification Number (IIN) and a digital signature (EDS). 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 you to a video interview within two business days. Following the assessment, the ministry signs a letter confirming that you meet the requirements for the list of in-demand professions.

2. Preliminary approval through egov.kz, before relocation. Submit an electronic application with the letter of support, a copy of your passport, a photo, a criminal record certificate legalized by a Kazakhstani consulate, an application form, and proof of payment of the fee. The processing time is 45 calendar days, of which up to 25 days are allocated for coordination with national security authorities.

3. Arrival 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 decision will be annulled, and you may reapply only after one year.

4. Final approval at a Public Service Center (PSC). After arrival, you must undergo a medical examination (certificate form 028/u) and fingerprinting, sign a notarized housing agreement valid for at least 180 days, and submit your documents to a PSC. The migration service verifies the originals within three business days, and the decision is sent to your personal account on egov.kz.

5. The residence permit card is issued under the standard procedure: international passport, notification of approval, and proof of payment of the 0.2 MCI fee.

After a refusal, you may reapply no earlier than one year later.

Documents Required for a Permanent Residence Permit (PRP)

1. Notice confirming completion of the criteria-based assessment

Required if you are not exempt from the assessment.

2. Application form

Must follow the form provided in Appendix 4 to Rules No. 992.

3. International passport (copy and original)

Must be valid for more than 180 days on the application date. Applicants from visa-required countries must have the appropriate visa.

4. Proof of financial solvency

A document confirming sufficient financial means, or a document confirming exemption from this requirement. Must be no older than 180 days.

5. Criminal record certificate

Issued by the country of citizenship and/or residence. Must be no older than 180 days. If you have changed your name, certificates must cover both your former and current names.

6. Housing agreement or statement of accommodation provision

Must be notarized and valid for 180 days. If you own the property, provide a property ownership certificate.

7. Medical certificate (Form 028/u)

Valid for 3 months.

8. Photograph

One photograph measuring 35 × 45 mm.

9. Proof of payment of the fee

The fee is 4 MCI.

10. Fingerprinting certificate

11. Consent to depart from the country of citizenship, departure certificate, or another document confirming the absence of restrictions

Required if such documents are issued by the country of citizenship. Not required for refugees.

12. Consent to the processing of personal data

Must follow the form prescribed by the rules.

13. Letter of support from a government body

Required for applicants with in-demand professions, investors from visa-free countries, and individuals who make a “significant contribution.”

14. Notarized consent from a child aged 14–18

Required when submitting documents for children.

Documents for children

The list of required documents for children is shorter. Their applications must be submitted together with their parents’ documents.

Most applicants must prove that they have at least 1,320 MCI in a bank account — KZT 5,709,000 in 2026. The funds must remain in the account throughout the application processing period. After obtaining permanent residence, applicants must confirm their financial solvency annually for five years. Before making a decision, the migration service requests confirmation from the bank again.

Proof of financial solvency is not required for former compatriots (people born in the Kazakh SSR or Kazakhstan, or former citizens of either), ethnic Kazakhs, investors, minors, holders of in-demand professions, individuals who make a “significant contribution” to the economy, and their family members. This exemption does not apply to spouses.

Documents in a foreign language must be translated into Kazakh or Russian, and the accuracy of the translation must be certified by a notary. Documents issued by foreign government authorities must have an apostille or consular legalization, unless an international treaty waives this requirement. A notarized copy of the document with the original apostille must be included in the application.

If you are collecting documents abroad, obtain certificates closer to the application date so that they remain valid when submitted to the Public Service Center (PSC).

1. KAZTEST and the application form on migration.enbek.kz. You will receive a notice confirming eligibility to proceed, unless you are exempt from these requirements.

2. Collecting documents, translation, apostille, and fingerprinting.

3. Submitting documents to the Public Service Center (PSC) at your place of residence. Incomplete applications or documents that have expired will not be accepted.

4. Checks by the migration service, an interview, coordination with national security authorities, and a check by the local police officer at your place of residence. The total processing time is 45 calendar days.

5. Decision. After a refusal, you may reapply no earlier than one year later.

6. Registering at your place of residence and applying for a residence permit card at the PSC. Required documents: international passport, notice confirming approval of the permanent residence permit, and proof of payment of the 0.2 MCI fee. Applicants aged 16 and older have their fingerprints taken when the card is issued.

7. Receiving the residence permit card: up to 17 business days under the standard procedure or up to 7 business days under the expedited procedure, for an additional fee.

1. KAZTEST. Results are available within 3 business days. Each attempt is paid.

2. Application form and points-based assessment. Processing takes up to 30 business days. No separate fee is charged.

3. Permanent Residence Permit (PRP). Processing time: 45 calendar days. Government fee: 4 MCI (KZT 17,300).

4. Residence Permit (RP). Processing takes up to 17 business days, or up to 7 business days under the expedited procedure. Government fee: 0.2 MCI (KZT 865); an additional fee applies for expedited processing.

5. Proof of financial solvency. You must have 1,320 MCI (KZT 5,709,000) in a bank account. This is not a government fee but a financial requirement. Proof must be maintained throughout the application processing period and for 5 years after obtaining the permit.

The amounts are calculated based on the 2026 MCI of KZT 4,325. You should also budget for document translation, notarization, apostille, medical examinations, and obtaining certificates. Costs vary by country.

Validity of the Residence Permit

A residence permit is issued for 10 years, but not beyond the validity of your national passport. If your international passport is valid for another four years, your residence permit will also be issued for four years. You must replace your residence permit if it expires, is lost or damaged, or your citizenship changes.

The rules provide 31 grounds for refusing or revoking a permit. The following are particularly important for most applicants. Your application may be refused if:

• You do not have a notice confirming completion of the assessment and are not exempt from it;

• You have legally resided in a designated resettlement region for less than one year;

• You have not had continuous employment or income during the 12 months preceding the application;

• You have not proven your financial solvency;

• You have submitted forged documents or false information;

• You have not completed fingerprint registration;

• You were deported from Kazakhstan within the last five years;

• You were held administratively liable within the past year for violations of migration, tax, or labor legislation;

• You have an outstanding or unexpunged criminal conviction, or were convicted of a criminal misdemeanor within the past year;

• You do not live at the address specified in your application.

An already issued permit may be revoked if:

• You have spent fewer than 183 days in Kazakhstan during any consecutive 12-month period;

• You obtained permanent residence based on an in-demand profession but did not work in that profession for 183 days within a 12-month period;

• You moved out of the designated resettlement region before completing five years of residence there;

• You failed to confirm your financial solvency in a subsequent year.

If your situation does not fit the standard procedure, for example, you came to work and are unsure whether you need to undergo the assessment, describe your needs on Lexicomb. Verified specialists in Kazakhstan will send you proposals so you can compare prices and timelines in one format. Payment is made through the platform: the specialist receives the funds after you accept the completed work.