Foreigners eyeing long-term settlement in Kazakhstan, take note: A new wave of policy updates has officially rolled out as of June 12, 2025, refining the way residence permits are issued across the country! Whether you’re a skilled worker, a stateless individual, or an ethnic Kazakh dreaming of Central Asia’s economic hub, here’s what you need to know about this sweeping reform.
Kazakhstan’s Residence Permit Revamp: What’s New?
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has updated the rules and document requirements for obtaining a residence permit in Kazakhstan, tightening some eligibility checks while also speeding up processes for skilled professionals.
A residence permit is now more than just an ID card—it’s your ticket to 10 years of uninterrupted residence, legal employment, and access to social services in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
What’s Required to Apply in 2025?
To apply for permanent residence clearance, applicants must submit the following (note: all documents in foreign languages must be officially translated into Kazakh or Russian and notarized):
Core Document Checklist to apply for Kazakh Residence Permit from June 2025 Onwards:
- Residence Permit Application – per official form (Appendix 4).
- Valid Passport – at least 180 days remaining.
- Proof of Solvency – per June 2023 regulations (or exemption under Article 49).
- Criminal Record Certificate – valid for 180 days or less.
- Child’s Consent (Age 14–18) – notarized.
- Accommodation Contract or Sponsorship Letter – minimum 180 days.
- Medical Certificate (Form 028/y) – proving absence of infectious or prohibited diseases.
- One Passport Photo – size 35×45 mm.
- National Duty Receipt – 20% of monthly calculation index.
- For In-Demand Professions – Official petition from a relevant government body, validating your specialization and work history.
- Fingerprint Registration Certificate – mandatory from Sept 2024 under new law.
Fast-Track & Fees
The standard processing time for a residence permit in Kazakhstan is 17 calendar days. However, applicants seeking quicker results can opt for a fast-track service, which shortens the processing time to just 7 working days from the date of registration. The application fee for a foreigner’s residence permit is 20% of the monthly calculation index, which amounts to approximately KZT 1,470 in 2025.
For stateless individuals applying for a certificate, the national duty is significantly higher—set at 400% of the monthly calculation index. All payments must be made through authorized banking institutions, which will issue an official receipt as proof.
Who Can Apply?
The new policy welcomes:
- Foreigners from visa-free countries or with permanent residence visas.
- Ethnic Kazakhs (no proof of solvency required).
- Skilled professionals from the government’s approved list of in-demand jobs.
- Family members of Kazakh citizens.
- Stateless persons with proper documentation.
Who Will Be Rejected?
Under Articles 19-1 and 49, the following cannot receive or will have revoked residence permits:
- Individuals with false documentation or forged applications.
- Applicants with criminal records, involvement in extremism/terrorism, or posing a national security threat.
- Foreigners failing solvency requirements, unless exempt.
- People with restricted diseases or multiple migration law violations.
- Those whose marriage-based permits were annulled by court decision.
- Residents spending fewer than 183 days in a year in Kazakhstan post-issuance.
- Those who abandon their registered profession within a year if granted a permit based on skill shortage occupation.
⚠️ Important: Fingerprint registration is now mandatory. Without it, your application will be denied.
Special Exemptions
Not all rules apply universally. The following are exempt from key rejections under specific clauses:
- Ethnic Kazakhs and their families.
- Stateless women under Kazakhstan’s Convention on the Nationality of Married Women.
- Persons with disabilities (exempt from medical-based rejections).
Renewals and Validity
Residence permits in Kazakhstan are issued for a period of up to 10 years; however, their validity cannot exceed the expiration date of the applicant’s national passport. To maintain legal residency, foreign nationals must apply for renewal at least one month before the permit expires.
In the event of loss or damage to the permit, the application for reissuance must be submitted within three days. Importantly, while a new residence permit is being processed, the applicant continues to retain their permanent resident status without interruption.
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