Published: 14.10.2026

• 2026-10-14Kazakhstan to Introduce Electronic Entry Permits for Visa-Free Travelers

  From 24 October 2026, citizens of visa-free countries will be required to obtain an electronic entry permit, while visa-free stay limits will remain unchanged. The system will be introduced in stages from November 2026 through March 2027; until 1 July 2027, the absence of a permit will not be grounds for refusing entry.

• 2026-09-28Kazakhstan Work Visa Is Tied to an Employment Permit

  A foreign employee must obtain an approved work permit before applying for the M1 work visa, also referred to as C3. The visa is generally multiple-entry and valid for up to one year, while spouses and children require separate M2 visas that do not authorize employment.

• 2026-09-17Kazakhstan Adopts New Tax Registration Rules, Including Registration of Non-Resident Companies Before Opening Accounts

  New tax-registration rules will take effect on 1 January 2026. A non-resident legal entity opening a current account with a Kazakhstan bank must register as a taxpayer before opening the account and submit a tax application with the required documents.

• 2026-09-17Kazakhstan Offers Multiple Grounds for Temporary and Permanent Residence

  Kazakhstan provides residence-permit routes for people seeking political or humanitarian protection and for family reunification, among other grounds. For the family-reunification route, citizens of non-EAEU countries generally need a C2 visa, while a relative’s residence permit is usually limited to the sponsor’s permit period and capped at 12 months.

• 2026-09-16Foreigners’ Arrival Must Be Reported in Kazakhstan Within Three Business Days

  The host party—such as a hotel, property owner, or organization—must notify the migration authorities of a foreigner’s arrival within three business days, including after a change of address. Separate mandatory registration for foreigners has been abolished; notification by the host party is sufficient for this procedure.

• 2026-09-15Kazakhstan Introduces New Immigrant Registration Rules from 1 July 2026

  From 1 July 2026, foreigners from countries allowing stays of up to 90 days must register with the internal affairs authorities no later than the 30th calendar day after entry. Registration will be handled through an information system with confirmation by the host party; after changing address, it must be completed again within five business days.

• 2026-09-15Kazakhstan Updates Rules for Temporary and Permanent Residence Permits

  Amendments to the Interior Ministry rules regulate the issuance of temporary- and permanent-residence permits to foreigners and stateless persons. Temporary residence permit applications are processed within one business day, while permanent-residence applications remain available to several categories, including visa-free nationals, refugees and ethnic Kazakhs.

• 2026-09-15Kazakhstan Eases Bank Card Issuance Rules for Non-Residents

  Kazakhstan has eased the rules for issuing bank cards to foreign customers. However, cards for non-residents remain valid for no more than 12 months, and enhanced checks continue to apply to high-risk clients.

• 2026-09-11Kazakhstan Announces Migration Reform for Investors and Highly Qualified Professionals

  A presidential decree sets out a shift toward an incentive-based migration model, including consolidated visa categories, an “Altyn Visa” and the QazETA digital platform with an e-Residency module. The government has been instructed to implement the main measures by 31 December 2026; announced benefits for Altyn Visa holders include tax exemptions, access to public and financial services, and the ability to work outside the quota.

• 2026-09-07Kazakhstan Requires Employers to Test the Local Labour Market Before Hiring Foreign Workers

  Since September 1, 2025, an employer must post a vacancy on the Electronic Labour Exchange for 15 calendar days before applying for a work permit. For 2026, Kazakhstan has also set a foreign-labour quota of 0.25% of the workforce.

• 2026-09-03Kazakhstan Sets Out Residence-Permit Routes for Study and Employment

  A student residence permit is issued for the period of study, up to a maximum of 12 months, and may be extended. For employment, a residence permit can cover the duration of the employment contract, up to three years; EAEU citizens may apply while lawfully staying visa-free in Kazakhstan.

• 2026-09-01Kazakhstan to Introduce Paid Electronic Entry Permits for Visa-Free Foreigners

  From November 1, 2026, Kazakhstan will begin introducing mandatory paid electronic entry permits for foreigners from visa-free countries, including Russian citizens. Applications through the QazETA platform must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel; the permit will be valid for 180 calendar days and allow multiple entries.

• 2026-08-25Kazakhstan Tightens the Legalization of Foreigners’ Stay

  According to Meduza, Kazakhstan has restricted the issuance of residence permits in certain regions; Akmola, Kostanay, Pavlodar, Abay and Ulytau regions are cited as remaining on the list, while Karaganda is not. The source also reports detentions of Russians, possible extraditions at Russia’s request and investigations involving forged temporary residence permits.

• 2026-08-11Russian Visa, Mastercard, American Express and JCB Cards Are Not Accepted in Kazakhstan

  Due to sanctions, Russian-issued Visa, Mastercard, American Express and JCB cards are not accepted in Kazakhstan. Mir cards have limited usability, while newcomers can use cards issued by other countries or open a local bank account; since early 2025, locally issued cards for non-residents have a one-year validity period.

• 2026-08-09Kazakhstan Maintains Multiple-Entry Investor Visa for Investments Above 300,000

  Foreign entrepreneurs who invest more than USD 300,000 in Kazakhstan may qualify for a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 10 years. According to the source, the visa is not a residence permit but can independently provide a route to apply for permanent residence.

• 2026-08-04Kazakhstan Discusses Introducing Paid Entry for Foreigners

  Kazakhstan’s Interior Ministry has submitted for public discussion a draft that would allow paid entry for foreigners and electronic entry permits. The consultation is scheduled to run until August 17, 2026; the draft does not define the affected categories or the fee amount.

• 2026-07-16Kazakh Banks Screen Customers and Payments Against Sanctions Lists

  Kazakh banks screen customers and payments against OFAC, EU and UK sanctions lists. Links to sanctioned persons may result in refusal of service or account closure, while large incoming transfers are subject to source-of-funds checks.

• 2026-07-15Kazakhstan Changes Tax Rules for Non-Residents and Labour Immigrants from 2026

  From 1 January 2026, Kazakhstan introduced new withholding-tax rates for non-residents, including progressive 10% and 15% rates for certain employment income. Labour immigrants must pay tax on a minimum taxable income and any excess, and file an income and property declaration by 1 July of the following year.

• 2026-07-13Kazakhstan Stops Issuing IINs to Foreigners Through Embassies

  Since January 1, 2026, Kazakhstan’s diplomatic missions have stopped issuing IINs to foreign citizens after the pilot project covering 96 embassies and consulates ended. The source lists obtaining an IIN in Kazakhstan in person or applying for eResidency with a digital IIN as alternatives for opening an account.

• 2026-07-09Kazakhstan Tightens Screening for Permanent Residence Applicants

  Sources report tighter migration rules under pilot or updated procedures. The requirements mentioned include an interview and migration-potential assessment, knowledge of Kazakh, proof of income and continuous employment or business activity, as well as compliance with residence and administrative rules.

• 2026-07-05Expulsion from Kazakhstan Triggers a Five-Year Re-Entry Ban and Cancels Residence Documents

  After expulsion or return under readmission procedures, a foreign national is automatically barred from re-entering Kazakhstan for five years. Previously issued visas, temporary-residence permits and permanent-residence permits are cancelled.

• 2026-07-01Visa-free foreigners are subject to a 30/90-day stay limit

  For visa-free foreigners, stay in Kazakhstan is generally limited to 30 calendar days per entry and 90 days within any 180-day period, unless an international agreement provides otherwise. Visa-free entry does not authorize paid employment; longer stays require a temporary residence permit or another lawful status.

• 2026-06-22Kazakhstan Requires Language Testing and an Interview for Permanent Residence Applicants

  Applicants for permanent residence in Kazakhstan must pass a Kazakh-language test at no lower than A1, followed by a points assessment and an interview. The procedure applies to applicants from both visa-free and visa-required countries and includes checks by state authorities.

• 2026-06-11Kazakhstan Sets Rules for Granting and Ending Refugee Status

  The law regulates the legal status of asylum seekers and refugees in Kazakhstan. Refugee status is granted for one year, and following a refusal, non-renewal, deprivation or termination of status, the person and their family must leave the country within one month.

• 2026-06-11Alatau Introduces a Special Migration Regime for Foreign Workers

  Foreign nationals and stateless persons arriving in Alatau to work may enter either visa-free or with a visa. Visas and temporary residence permits may be issued, restored, shortened or extended at the request of Alatau residents or the city administration; lawful residents may extend them without leaving Kazakhstan.

• 2026-06-08Kazakhstan Maintains Restrictions on Dual Citizenship

  Kazakhstan does not recognize the acquisition of a second citizenship in cases covered by its rules. The source cites a fine of 200 monthly calculation indicators for officials who obtain a second passport, with expulsion possible in certain cases.

• 2026-06-05Kazakhstan’s Business Visa Does Not Authorize Employment

  A business visa is intended for negotiations, meetings and commercial activities, but does not permit employment by a Kazakhstan-registered entity. Working under this visa may lead to an administrative fine and a deportation order.

• 2026-05-22Kazakhstan Tightens Criteria for Permanent Residence

  Kazakhstan is tightening the criteria for obtaining permanent residence, including a year of continuous employment or business activity, proof of income for each family member, and compliance with regional-resettlement requirements. Certain migration, public-order and residence violations, as well as failure to meet immigration-potential criteria, may also lead to refusal.

• 2026-05-14EAEU Citizens Are Subject to a 90-Day Stay Limit Within 180 Days in Kazakhstan

  Citizens of Russia and other EAEU countries may stay in Kazakhstan without a visa, residence permit, or temporary residence permit for no more than 90 days in each 180-day period. Visa runs no longer extend the stay; longer residence requires a temporary residence permit or another legal status.

• 2026-04-13Kazakhstan Provides Fines, Deportation and Employer Restrictions for Immigration Violations

  Non-compliance with Kazakhstan’s immigration legislation may lead to administrative custody of up to 15 days or deportation for a foreign national. Companies may face fines of up to USD 7,500 per foreign national and a ban on employing foreigners for up to one year.

• 2026-03-10Kazakhstan Plans a Points-Based System for Permanent Residence

  Under its new migration policy, Kazakhstan plans to assess permanent-residence applicants based on age, health, education, work experience, language skills, income and other criteria. The policy also предусматривает digital migration management and applications through the migration.enbek.kz platform.

• 2026-01-15Kazakhstan Requires Foreigners to Replace National Driving Licences After Obtaining Residence Permits

  Foreign nationals who obtain a residence permit in Kazakhstan must replace their national driving licence with a Kazakh one within two months. International licences may not be used after the residence permit is issued.

• 2025-11-10Russian Citizens Can Stay in Kazakhstan Visa-Free for Up to 90 Days

  Russian citizens may enter Kazakhstan visa-free, including with an internal passport, and stay for up to 90 days. The host party must notify the authorities of the foreigner’s place of residence within three days of entry; longer stays require a temporary residence permit, followed by the possibility of applying for permanent residence.