Kazakhstan
KAZKazakhstan 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.
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT)
- Dual citizenship
- Not allowed
- Capital
- Astana
- Region
- asia
- Population
- 19,606,633
- Cost-of-living
- 37 /100
Passport Rank
#68
Visa-Free
76
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Kazakhstan passport has visa-free access to 76 destinations. See the full Kazakhstan passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Kazakhstan without a prior visa (83)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from Kazakhstan
Current IRCC processing times for Kazakhstan nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 10 days |
| Super visa | No processing time available |
| Study permit | 6 weeks |
| Work permit | No processing time available |
| Sponsor a dependent child | No processing time available |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | Not enough data |
| Government-assisted refugees | Not enough data |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: Not enough data / refugee: Not enough data |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-09-22 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
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
- GDP per capita
- $14,692
- Life expectancy
- 74.53 yrs
- Population growth
- 1.21%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
37
Safety
60
Healthcare
55
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
← scroll the table →
| 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
Rainfall range: 20–70 mm/month · Daylight 9h (winter) to 15h (summer)
Astana
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
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Kazakhstan, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
Ministry of Justice (Kazakhstan)
MoJOversees advocacy and the legal profession in Kazakhstan. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; work permits are handled by the labour authorities.
Related Guides
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Visa routes
Official visa and residence routes for Kazakhstan, indexed from Visa Atlas. Each links to its government source. This is a licensed external index, distinct from our own curated visa guides.
Residence
Permanent Residence Permit
ResidenceFor you if you want to settle in Kazakhstan long term: the permanent residence permit confirms your right to live there indefinitely, and a central requirement is showing that you can financially support yourself.
Temporary Residence Permit
ResidenceFor you if you are staying in Kazakhstan for more than the short visa-free window: the temporary residence permit is the document that lets you live there for a defined purpose such as work, study, family or business.
Work (sponsored)
Work Permit and Residence (employer-sponsored)
Work (sponsored)For you if a Kazakhstani employer has offered you a job: this is the standard route into paid work in Kazakhstan, where your employer secures a work permit for you and you then hold a temporary residence permit to live there.
Family
Family Residence (reunification)
FamilyFor you if a close family member lives in Kazakhstan: this route lets you join them and live there, normally on a temporary residence permit based on your family relationship.
Study
Study Residence (foreign students)
StudyFor you if you have a place to study in Kazakhstan: this is the route that lets you live there for the length of your course, normally on a temporary residence permit linked to your enrolment.
Skilled migration
Digital Nomad Residency (IT specialists, via Astana Hub)
Skilled migrationFor you if you are a foreign IT specialist: the Digital Nomad Residency is a route, run through Astana Hub, that can lead to a permanent residence permit in Kazakhstan - and that is the key difference from the Neo Nomad Visa.
Digital nomad
Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1)
Digital nomadFor you if you work remotely for clients or an employer outside Kazakhstan: the Neo Nomad Visa (category B12-1) lets you live in Kazakhstan while keeping your foreign income - but please read the honesty note, because this one does not lead to permanent residence.
Sources & last verified
Route index from Visa Atlas (CC BY 4.0), as of 2026-09-12. Each route links to its official government source.
Sources & last verified
- Last verified