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.

Capital: Astana

Region: Asia

Language: Kazakh

Currency: KZT (₸)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 35)

Emergency: 112

Visa & Immigration

Entry and residence options for Kazakhstan.

Visa-Free Access

Citizens of 60+ countries can enter Kazakhstan visa-free for up to 30 days. Visa-free nationalities include: all EU/EEA member states (Germany, France, Netherlands, etc.), USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Israel, Brazil, Argentina, and most Commonwealth countries. CIS nations (Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan) have separate bilateral agreements often allowing longer stays. The visa-free list expanded significantly in 2023–2024 — check the latest list at mfa.gov.kz before travel.

All visitors and residents must register their presence with migration authorities within 3 business days of arriving at each accommodation address. Hotels register guests automatically. Private accommodation (Airbnb, renting) requires you and your host to visit a Migration Service Centre (ЦОМ) or ЦОН together within 3 days — failure results in fines (₸34,150 for the guest, more for the landlord). The IIN (Individual Identification Number) is required for everything — apply at any ЦОН within your first week. Kazakhstan shares land borders with Russia (smooth for visa-free nationalities), China (Chinese visa required), Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.

e-Visa (Tourist / Business / Family)

Электронная виза (e-visa)

$30–50 USD (varies by nationality; payable online by card)

Duration: Single entry: up to 30 days. Multiple entry: up to 60 days.

Eligibility

Nationals of countries not eligible for visa-free entry, or those needing documentation for border control. Also used by visa-free nationals who need longer stays or multiple entries.

Processing time

3–5 business days online; print the e-visa approval for border presentation.

Requirements

✓Online application at evisa.e-gov.kz
✓Valid passport with at least 6 months validity
✓Digital passport photo
✓Invitation letter (required for business and family visit categories)
✓Payment of visa fee by card

💡 Available to nationalities not covered by visa-free entry. Multiple entry e-visas are useful for frequent business visitors. Cannot be used for employment — a work permit and work visa are required for paid employment.

Business Visa

Бизнес-виза

$60–150 USD depending on nationality and entry type

Duration: 30–90 days single or multiple entry; extendable in Kazakhstan.

Eligibility

Foreign nationals conducting business negotiations, contract signing, project meetings, or short-term business activities in Kazakhstan.

Processing time

5–15 working days at Kazakhstan embassy/consulate.

Requirements

✓Invitation letter from a Kazakhstan-registered company (company must be accredited with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
✓Valid passport (6+ months validity)
✓Completed visa application form
✓Application submitted via Kazakhstan embassy or consulate in your home country

💡 The inviting Kazakhstani company must hold MFA accreditation to issue valid business invitations. Cannot be used for paid employment. Multiple business trips require multiple visas or a multiple-entry business visa.

Work Visa + Residence Permit

Рабочая виза + ВНЖ (Вид на жительство)

₸7,040 state duty for ВНЖ + embassy fees for work visa; employer typically covers costs.

Duration: 1 year (renewable annually, tied to employer). Temporary Residence Permit (ВНЖ) issued for the same period.

Eligibility

Non-CIS foreign nationals offered employment by a Kazakhstan-registered employer. CIS nationals (Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Tajikistan under EAEU) do not require a work permit.

Processing time

4–8 weeks total: work permit approval (2–4 weeks) + entry visa (1 week) + ВНЖ registration in Kazakhstan (1–2 weeks).

Requirements

✓Work permit approved by Regional Department of Labour (applied for by employer, not employee)
✓Employment contract with the Kazakhstani entity
✓Valid passport (6+ months validity)
✓Medical examination: HIV test + TB (chest X-ray)
✓Apostilled copies of qualifications and birth certificate
✓Marriage certificate (apostilled) if bringing dependants
✓Application at Kazakhstan embassy for entry visa, then ВНЖ at Migration Service Centre (ЦОМ) after arrival

💡 Work permits are quota-based and employer-specific — changing employers requires a new work permit. Category I highly-qualified specialists (salary 150+ MCI/month = ₸583,950+ in 2026) are exempt from the quota system. ВНЖ must be renewed at least 30 days before expiry.

Student Visa

Студенческая виза

Embassy fees vary by nationality (typically $30–100 USD).

Duration: 1 year, renewable for the duration of studies.

Eligibility

Foreign nationals enrolled full-time at a Kazakhstan Ministry of Education–accredited university or educational institution.

Processing time

2–4 weeks at Kazakhstan embassy.

Requirements

✓Acceptance/admission letter from accredited Kazakhstani educational institution
✓Valid passport (6+ months validity)
✓Medical examination (HIV test + TB)
✓Proof of financial means for duration of studies
✓Completed application at Kazakhstan embassy/consulate

💡 Nazarbayev University (NU) has a dedicated international admissions office that assists with visa coordination. Part-time work is permitted during studies (up to 20 hours/week during term time). Students must register with migration authorities within 3 days of arrival.

Temporary Residence Permit (ВНЖ)

Вид на жительство (временное) — ВНЖ

₸7,040 state duty (2026)

Duration: 1–3 years (depends on basis of stay); renewable.

Eligibility

Foreign nationals residing in Kazakhstan for more than 90 days — required for employment, family reunification, or study lasting over 90 days.

Processing time

10–15 working days at Migration Service Centre (ЦОМ) or ЦОН.

Requirements

✓Valid grounds for stay (employment contract + work permit, family member of resident, study at accredited institution)
✓Valid passport
✓IIN (Individual Identification Number)
✓Migration registration at current address
✓Medical certificate (HIV + TB tests)
✓Completed application form
✓Photographs (3.5 × 4.5 cm)

💡 The ВНЖ is issued as a separate document booklet (not a passport stamp). Must be carried or accessible at all times. Renewal must be initiated at least 30 days before expiry. Permanent residence (ПМЖ) is available after 5 years of continuous temporary residence with clean record and basic Kazakh language test.

AIFC Special Visa

Виза МФЦА (Инвестиционный визовый режим)

AIFC registration processing fees apply; check aifc.kz for current rates.

Duration: Up to 5 years (tied to AIFC employment contract).

Eligibility

Foreign nationals employed by or engaged with companies registered at the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC).

Processing time

2–3 weeks through AIFC Bureau.

Requirements

✓Employment or service contract with an AIFC-registered entity
✓AIFC Bureau approval of application
✓Valid passport
✓Medical examination

💡 AIFC operates under a separate legal jurisdiction (English common law). AIFC employees benefit from 0% individual income tax on AIFC-related income until 2066. This is a significant financial advantage for qualifying finance, fintech, and legal professionals.

No dedicated digital nomad visa

Digital Nomad

N/A

Visa-free: no cost. AIFC Special Visa: AIFC processing fees (check aifc.kz). Standard ВНЖ: ₸7,040 state duty (2026).

Duration: Visa-free: 30 days. AIFC Special Visa: up to 5 years. Standard ВНЖ: 1–3 years.

Eligibility

Kazakhstan has no dedicated digital nomad visa as of 2026. Many nationalities can enter visa-free for 30 days (check current list at mfa.gov.kz) and work remotely for non-Kazakhstani clients during that period. Stays beyond the visa-free period require a qualifying basis for a Temporary Residence Permit (ВНЖ) — typically employment, investment, or family. The AIFC Special Visa (up to 5 years) is available to those employed by or engaged with Astana International Financial Centre entities.

Processing time

Visa-free: immediate. AIFC Special Visa: 2–3 weeks via AIFC Bureau. Standard ВНЖ: 10–15 working days.

Requirements

✓For short visa-free stays: valid passport; register at migration authorities within 3 business days if staying in private accommodation (hotels do this automatically)
✓For AIFC Special Visa: employment or service contract with an AIFC-registered entity; AIFC Bureau approval; valid passport; medical examination (HIV + TB)
✓For standard longer stays: qualifying grounds (employment contract + work permit, investment, family); ВНЖ application at Migration Service Centre (ЦОМ) or ЦОН

💡 Kazakhstan (particularly Almaty) has become a popular destination for digital nomads since 2022. The 30-day visa-free entry for 60+ nationalities covers many short-to-medium stays. There is no self-sufficiency residence permit for remote workers without a local employer or AIFC connection. Address registration within 3 business days of arrival is mandatory — fines apply for non-compliance. The IIN (Individual Identification Number) from any ЦОН service centre is required for stays beyond a few weeks and for banking. Check mfa.gov.kz for the current visa-free country list.

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