Kazakhstan (KZ)

Enrol your child in a school

For state schools: you need the child's birth certificate, your IIN, and migration registration in the school's catchment area. State schools teach in Kazakh or Russian. For international schools: contact Haileybury Almaty, Almaty International School (AIS), or Astana International School directly for admissions requirements.

Register as an Individual Entrepreneur (ИП) to work legally as freelancer

Freelancers and self-employed expats in Kazakhstan must register as an Individual Entrepreneur (ИП). Registration is free and instant online via eGov.kz with your IIN and EDS. Choose the Simplified Declaration tax regime (3% of revenue, quarterly filing). Enables you to issue invoices legally and open a business bank account.

Register a newborn child at ЗАГС

Children born in Kazakhstan must be registered at the Civil Registration Office (ЗАГС) within 1 month of birth. Bring: birth hospital certificate, parents' passports, marriage certificate. The child receives a Kazakhstani birth certificate. Register the birth at your home country's embassy/consulate for nationality documentation.

Verify OSMS health insurance coverage

Check your Mandatory Social Health Insurance (ОСМС) status at osms.kz using your IIN. If employed, your employer should have registered you. If self-employed (ИП), register and pay contributions independently. OSMS is your gateway to state healthcare access.

Apply for a temporary residence permit (ВНЖ)

After arriving on a work visa, apply for a temporary residence permit (Вид на жительство / ВНЖ) at the Migration Service Centre. Required documents: passport, work permit, employment contract, medical examination results (HIV + TB tests), photos, state duty ₸7,040. Valid 1 year, renewable.

Purchase mandatory ОГПО vehicle third-party insurance

Compulsory third-party liability insurance (ОГПО) is legally required for all vehicles driven in Kazakhstan. Purchase online via Kaspi.kz or at any insurance office. Annual cost: ₸5,000–25,000. Without ОГПО, your vehicle can be immobilised and you face ₸38,930 fine.

Prepare all pet import documents

For bringing a pet to Kazakhstan: ISO microchip, valid rabies vaccination, international health certificate issued by a government veterinarian no more than 5 days before travel, and a notarised Russian translation of all documents. Check current requirements at the Committee for Veterinary Control (gov.kz) before travel.

Obtain your IIN (Individual Identification Number)

Your IIN (ЖСН/ИИН — Жеке сәйкестендіру нөмірі) is a 12-digit number required for everything in Kazakhstan: banking, healthcare, mobile SIM, tax, utilities, and government services. Apply at a Migration Service Centre (ЦОМ) or Almaty/Astana service centre (ЦОН).

Complete migration registration (propiska) within 3 days

All foreigners must register their presence with migration authorities within 3 business days of arriving at their accommodation. Hotels register you automatically. If staying at a private apartment, you and your landlord must visit the Migration Service Centre (ЦОМ) together within 3 days. Fine for late registration: ₸34,150.

Locate and visit your nearest ЦОН service centre

The ЦОН (Центр обслуживания населения) is Kazakhstan's "one-stop shop" government service centre. Handles: IIN, documents, certificates, licences, registrations, and dozens of other services. Find your nearest centre at gov.kz/con. Book appointments online via eGov.kz to avoid queues.

Open a Kaspi Gold account

The Kaspi Gold debit card is the essential financial tool for daily life in Kazakhstan. Kaspi's super-app handles payments, transfers, utility bills, marketplace orders, food delivery, and government fees. Open an account at any Kaspi Bank branch with your passport and IIN. The card and account are free.

Get a Kazakhstani SIM card

Buy a SIM card at any Kcell, Beeline, or Tele2 store. Bring your passport. Kcell has the best nationwide 4G coverage. Unlimited data plans: ₸2,000–4,000/month. Tourist SIMs are available without IIN, but postpaid/contract plans require IIN registration.

Set up the Kaspi.kz app for daily life

Download and fully configure the Kaspi.kz app — Kazakhstan's essential super-app for payments, utility bills, food delivery, marketplace shopping, transport tickets, insurance, and government service payments. Link your Kaspi Gold card, set up biometric login, and save your utility providers. Virtually every daily transaction in Kazakhstan runs through Kaspi.

Install 2GIS for navigation

2GIS maps app is significantly more accurate than Google Maps for Kazakhstan — it includes building entrances, floor numbers, business hours, and detailed public transport routes. Install immediately. Works offline after downloading the city map.

Prepare an earthquake emergency kit (Almaty residents)

Almaty is in a high seismic risk zone and has experienced major earthquakes (1887, 1910). Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit: water (3L/person/day), non-perishable food, first aid kit, flashlight, battery radio, important documents (in waterproof bag), cash in KZT and USD, warm clothing, and emergency contacts.

Connect with expat community support networks

Expat adjustment in Kazakhstan — particularly the extreme winters in Astana, language barrier, bureaucratic challenges, and distance from home — can be isolating. Proactively join: Almaty Expats or Astana Expats Facebook groups, Hash House Harriers, InterNations Almaty, or your national chamber of commerce community.

Set up and activate your eGov.kz account

The eGov.kz portal provides access to 700+ government services online. Activate with your IIN and EDS digital signature. Install the eGov Mobile app. Key services: IIN certificate, address registration, business registration, document requests, tax services.

Get your foreign qualifications nostrified (recognised)

To use foreign degrees or professional qualifications in formal employment in Kazakhstan, submit them for nostrification (recognition) at the НКОКО (National Centre for Educational Quality Assessment). Apostilled original + translated copy. Processing: 30–45 working days. Fee: ₸9,500–35,000.

Create a profile on HH.kz (HeadHunter Kazakhstan)

HH.kz (hh.kz) is Kazakhstan's dominant job portal. Create a detailed profile with your work history, skills, and upload your CV in Russian and English. Most corporate employers and recruiters actively search profiles here.

Check your UAPF pension account balance

Your mandatory pension contributions (10% of salary) accumulate in your personal UAPF account (Единый Накопительный Пенсионный Фонд). Check your balance at enpf.kz or via eGov Mobile. This money is yours — understand how it grows and what your options are when you leave Kazakhstan.

Consider voluntary pension contributions for additional retirement savings

In addition to mandatory 10% contributions, you can make voluntary pension contributions (ДПВ) of up to 5% of salary to the UAPF. These are tax-deductible and earn investment returns. Particularly valuable if you plan to stay in Kazakhstan long-term or retire here.

Check and update vaccinations before arrival

Recommended vaccinations for Kazakhstan: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Tick-borne Encephalitis (TBE — for those spending time in forests/mountains), Rabies pre-exposure (for outdoor workers), and ensure MMR and Tetanus are up to date. Consult a travel health clinic 6–8 weeks before departure.

Find an apartment on Krisha.kz

Search for apartments on Kazakhstan's main property portal Krisha.kz. Filter by city, district, number of rooms, and price. Almaty: ₸150,000–500,000/month for expat-standard 1–2BR. Astana: ₸180,000–550,000/month. Always visit in person before committing.

Plan UAPF pension fund withdrawal when leaving Kazakhstan

Non-Kazakhstani nationals permanently leaving Kazakhstan can withdraw their accumulated pension savings from the UAPF. Submit a withdrawal application at an UAPF office or via eGov, providing evidence of permanent departure (cancelled residence permit, foreign address). Withdrawal is taxed at 10% source. Allow 4–8 weeks.

Register with your home country's embassy in Kazakhstan

Register your presence with your national embassy in Almaty or Astana (Embassy Almaty registration: most embassies have online LOCATE-style registration). This enables emergency evacuation, consular assistance, and ensures you receive important safety advisories for Kazakhstan. Takes 20 minutes online.

Learn basic Russian survival phrases

Russian is the daily language of business and public services in Almaty and Astana. Install Duolingo Russian, Pimsleur Russian, or use free YouTube channels (Russian with Max, RussianPod101). Focus on: numbers, directions, food ordering, medical vocabulary, and basic transactions.

Learn basic Kazakh courtesy phrases

Even 10 Kazakh phrases (Salam, Rakhmet, Qansha turady?) earns enormous goodwill from local Kazakhs and signals respect for the culture. Use Kazakhsha.kz (free government learning platform), Pimsleur Kazakh (30 audio lessons), or find a Kazakh tutor on iTalki.

Obtain your EDS (Electronic Digital Signature)

The EDS (Электронная Цифровая Подпись) is your electronic identity for all online government services in Kazakhstan. Required for: eGov.kz transactions, tax filing, ИП registration, banking advanced features, and signing digital contracts. Free to obtain at a Centre НТС/Certex or ЦОН service centre.

Register as a taxpayer and activate Taxpayer's Cabinet

Activate your access to the Taxpayer's Cabinet (Кабинет налогоплательщика) at cabinet.salyk.kz using your IIN and EDS. This portal is where you file income tax declarations, check tax debts, pay taxes, and request tax clearance certificates.

Get an Onay card for Almaty public transport

The Onay card is the contactless transit pass for Almaty metro, buses, and trams. Discount fares: ₸90–150 per ride (vs ₸200 cash). Buy at metro stations or service points. Top up at ATMs, kiosks, or the Kaspi app.

Exchange your foreign driving licence for a Kazakhstani licence

Required after 60 days of residence. Visit the Traffic Police (GIBDD). Bring: foreign licence + notarised Russian translation, passport, IIN, medical certificate (Form 086-U), eye test. State fee: ₸3,200–6,400. A Kazakhstani licence is also required to register a local vehicle.

Set up Yandex Go (taxi) app

Yandex Taxi is the primary ride-hailing service in Kazakhstan. Download Yandex Go, link a Kaspi or international Visa/Mastercard, and verify your account. Prices are displayed upfront. Standard ride in Almaty or Astana: ₸700–1,500 for most journeys. Much more reliable and safer than hailing unknown taxis.

Join Air Astana Nomad Club for domestic flight loyalty points

Air Astana's Nomad Club loyalty programme is free to join and accumulates miles on all domestic and international flights. The Almaty–Astana route (used frequently by expats) earns miles quickly. Status levels from Blue to Platinum offer lounge access, priority boarding, and extra baggage.

Register with the Employment Centre if seeking work

If you have lost your job or are seeking work in Kazakhstan, register with the local Employment Centre (Центр занятости / Жұмыспен қамту орталығы). If you contributed to the МТСБ social insurance fund, you may be entitled to unemployment benefits. The centre also offers free job placement services.

Apply for childbirth benefit (75 MCI = ₸291,975)

Employed mothers who have contributed to Kazakhstan's social insurance system are entitled to a one-time childbirth payment of 75 MCI (₸291,975 in 2026) from МТСБ, plus monthly childcare benefits until the child is 1.5 years old. Apply through your employer's HR department or directly at the Social Protection Department.

Verify social security contributions and coverage

Check your МТСБ (Social Insurance Fund) contribution status to understand your entitlements for sickness, maternity, and disability benefits. Log in at mtsb.kz or check via the eGov portal. Ensure your employer is correctly registering you and making contributions — discrepancies should be addressed immediately.