Kazakhstan Eases Entry for Investors While Tightening Permanent Residence Rules

Kazakhstan has simplified entry, visa processing and permit procedures for investors, business representatives and foreign specialists. Accelerated procedures and separate visa regimes now apply to these categories, Orda.kz reports, citing the Labor and Social Protection Ministry.

Simplified conditions also apply to foreigners with professions in demand in Kazakhstan and to participants in economic and social projects supported by state bodies.

Priority is being given to IT specialists, doctors, representatives of the creative industries, scientists and industrial professionals.

The most in-demand specialties include:

• in IT — artificial intelligence engineer, information systems architect, application developer, information security engineer and others;
• in health care — neurosurgeon, hematologist, oncologist, radiologist and others;
• in the creative industries — graphic designer, sound engineer, animation technician and others;
• in natural sciences, engineering and manufacturing — pharmaceutical engineer, laser equipment engineer, bacteriologist and others.

Citizens of EAEU member states — Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Russia — may work in Kazakhstan without permits. The same conditions apply to Kazakh citizens in those countries.

For citizens of non-EAEU countries, Kazakhstan uses a quota system and regulates the attraction of foreign labor based on labor market needs.

Since the beginning of 2026, the following have been issued for the attraction of foreign workers:

• 5,100 permits for in-demand specialties;
• about 75,000 permits for labor immigrants.

To protect the domestic labor market, Kazakhstan sets an annual quota for attracting foreign workers based on employers’ needs.

For 2026, the quota is:

• 23,600 for foreign labor;
• 221,800 for labor immigrants.

At the same time, new rules are being introduced for foreigners seeking permanent residence and, in the future, Kazakh citizenship.

These candidates will undergo a phased assessment that includes:

• a test of basic knowledge of the state language;
• analysis of personal data;
• digital scoring;
• checks by authorized state bodies;
• a final interview.

This mechanism is aimed exclusively at people who view Kazakhstan as a country for long-term residence and integration into society.the ministry said.

Original author: Rimma Karatayeva

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