Kazakhstan (KZ)
Kazakhstan is the world's ninth-largest country by area and the largest landlocked nation — a vast Central Asian republic stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Altai Mountains, encompassing endless steppes, dramatic canyons, and the remnants of the ancient Silk Road.
Key Documents Checklist
Gather these before and after moving to Kazakhstan.
Valid for at least 6 months beyond planned stay. Bring the original + 5 certified copies. Kazakh authorities request photocopies constantly.
Tourist visa (if applicable), work visa, or e-visa confirmation. Many nationalities (EU, US, UK) get 30-day visa-free entry. Work visa requires employer sponsorship before arrival.
Official apostilled birth certificate. Required for IIN registration, school enrollment, and family-related permits.
Apostilled and translated. Required for spousal work permit, family registration, and opening joint bank accounts.
Required for school registration, healthcare enrolment, and family visa/permit extensions. Kazakhstan is a Hague Apostille Convention member — apostille required. Certified translation into Kazakh or Russian required.
Signed employment contract from Kazakhstan-registered company. Required for work permit application and IIN registration.
Required document for all non-CIS foreign nationals working in Kazakhstan. Employer obtains through the Ministry of Labour. Category I (highly qualified) or Category II (general).
The "ЖСН/ИИН" — a 12-digit number assigned to all individuals in Kazakhstan. Needed for bank accounts, tax, healthcare, SIM cards, and virtually all government services. Applied for at the Migration Service Centre (ЦОН/ЦОМ).
Degree certificates and transcripts. Must be apostilled and translated into Kazakh or Russian for recognition by the Ministry of Education.
Bring your original license + certified translation into Russian. International Driving Permits (IDP) are accepted. Foreign licenses can be exchanged at the Road Police (GIBDD/Zholdyk politsiya) — required if staying longer than 60 days.
International health insurance policy documents. Required for visa extensions and recommended for all expats. National healthcare (OSMS) is available once registered with an employer.
Registration with migration police (propiska) required within 3 business days of arrival. Hotel handles automatically; apartment renter must register at a Migration Service Centre (ЦОМ). Keep this document always.
All foreign documents must have notarised translations into Russian or Kazakh to be accepted by government bodies. Many documents require both.
Required for long-stay visa applications and work permit extensions as proof of financial means.
Veterinary certificate (Form 1 or international health certificate), microchip certificate, vaccination record including rabies. CITES permit if applicable. See petRelocationInfo for full details.
Employment references from previous employers. Required for senior-level work permits and professional licence applications. Kazakhstan is a Hague Apostille Convention member — apostille required for foreign-issued references. Notarised translation into Kazakh or Russian required.
📜 What is an Apostille?
An apostille is an official certification that validates a document for international use. It is issued by a designated authority in the country where the document was issued (usually a court or government office). Required for documents from Hague Convention member states.
🌍 Certified Translations
Certified translations must be done by a sworn/authorised translator. In Kazakhstan, only translations by officially registered translators are accepted by government offices. Keep originals — they may be returned after verification.
Documents
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