Kazakhstan

KAZ

Kazakhstan is Central Asia's largest economy and a growing hub for tech and digital nomads. The government-backed Astana Hub programme offers a dedicated Digital Nomad Visa, granting up to one year of residence with streamlined registration in Astana. The flat personal income-tax rate of 10 % and low cost of living make the country cost-competitive. Astana's modern infrastructure, fast fibre internet, and a vibrant startup scene contrast with a still-developing expat ecosystem outside the capital. Kazakh citizenship is not available by investment, and dual citizenship is not recognised, limiting long-term planning for most internationals.

Passport Rank

#68

Visa-Free

destinations

Country Details

Capital: Astana
Currency: Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT)
Languages: Kazakh, Russian
Population: 19,606,633
Tax System: Residence Based
Dual Citizenship: Not allowed
Naturalisation: 5 years
Schengen / EU: No
Climate: Continental — harsh winters, hot dry summers; steppe and semi-desert dominate
English Proficiency Rank: #68

Indices

Cost of Living

Safety

Healthcare

Quality of Life

120

Tax Summary

Tax System: Residence Based
Territorial Taxation: No — worldwide income taxed for residents
Naturalisation: 5 years of legal residency
Dual Citizenship: Not allowed

Cost of Living by City

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Monthly cost of living per major city in USD: rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass
City	Rent 1BR centre	Rent outside	Groceries	Utilities	Transit pass
Almaty	$520	$310	$185	$65	$14
Astana	$480	$275	$175	$70	$12
Shymkent	$290	$175	$150	$55	$10

Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.

Climate

Almaty

-4°J

-2°F

5°M

13°A

18°M

23°J

25°J

24°A

17°S

10°O

2°N

-3°D

Rainfall range: 20–70 mm/month · Daylight 9h (winter) to 15h (summer)

Astana

-15°J

-13°F

-5°M

5°A

14°M

20°J

23°J

21°A

13°S

4°O

-5°N

-13°D

Rainfall range: 15–35 mm/month · Daylight 8h (winter) to 16h (summer)

Visa Categories & Immigration Authority

Major Visa Categories

Tourist
Business
Work Permit
Investor
Family
Student
Permanent Residence

Authority: Migration Service Committee MIA
Official Portal: www.gov.kz
Phone: +7-7172-72-11-17

Naturalisation Details

Residence Years: 5
Language Test: Yes (Conversational Kazakh (state-language proficiency test))
Civic Test: Yes
Oath Required: Yes
Dual Allowed: No
Fee: $35
Processing: ~12 months

Safety

GPI Rank

#73

Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)

Common Risks

⚠Taxi overcharging at Almaty and Astana airports targeting new arrivals
⚠Fake currency exchange booths offering above-market rates in tourist areas
⚠Bogus police officers demanding on-the-spot fines for minor infractions

Examples of areas to avoid: Almaty: outskirts of Alatau district after dark, Astana: Saryarka industrial zone periphery at night, Shymkent: areas around the central bazaar late evening

Related Guides

Exit tax: countries that charge you to leave

Country-by-country reference of departure taxes, deemed-disposition rules, and wealth-locking regimes that trigger when tax residency ends.

Sources & last verified

Last verified 2026-06-01