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Kazakhstan Temporary Residence Permit for Foreigners
A lawful route to living in Kazakhstan beyond your visa-free period. We choose the right ground, put together a file that meets the migration service's requirements and follow your case until the decision.
A Kazakhstan temporary residence permit is needed by anyone who plans to stay longer than the visa-free period allows. Citizens of Russia, for example, can as a rule stay up to 90 days in every 180 days without one; the visa-free period for other nationalities depends on citizenship. After that you need a status. The permit is issued on a specific ground: family reunification, work under an employment contract, full-time study, marriage to a Kazakh citizen or kandas status. Founders of an LLP have a separate business immigrant procedure.
The permit is usually issued for up to 1 year and can be extended, and the application is typically reviewed within 60 calendar days. The migration service makes the decision. Our job is to make sure the ground is chosen correctly, your documents are complete and still valid on the filing date, and you do not lose time on returned applications.
Who it is for
- Citizens of EAEU countries, such as Russia, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, who are moving to Kazakhstan
- Families where a spouse, parent or adult child is a Kazakh citizen or a foreigner with the right to reside
- People taking a job with a Kazakh company under an employment contract
- Full-time students at universities and colleges in Kazakhstan
- Kandases (ethnic Kazakhs returning to Kazakhstan) and spouses of Kazakh citizens
- Foreigners from other countries who have a legal ground for residence
Requirements
- A legal ground for residence and documents that prove it
- A valid passport
- A criminal record certificate; whether it needs an apostille depends on the issuing country
- A medical examination and fingerprinting, with certificates still valid on the filing date
- Mandatory health insurance
- Legal stay in Kazakhstan at the time of filing and an arrival notification
What we do
- Choose the ground and check whether your documents fit it
- Prepare the application form and supporting letters, and arrange translations and apostilles
- Plan the medical examination and fingerprinting so the certificates do not expire
- Arrange the health insurance policy for the permit
- Support the filing with the migration service and track the review period
- Remind you about the extension and tell you when permanent residence becomes an option
Key documents
- Passport
- Application form
- Documents for your ground: marriage certificate, employment contract, letter from your school, kandas documents
- Supporting letter from the inviting party or employer, if required
- Criminal record certificate
- Medical certificates and fingerprinting certificate
- Health insurance policy and photos
How it works
- Choosing the groundwe look at your citizenship, the purpose of the move, your family and your work
- Documentsapplication form, supporting letters, translations, apostilles and the criminal record certificate
- Medical check and insurancemedical certificates, fingerprinting in person and the insurance policy
- Filingthe file goes to the migration service, and you attend in person
- Decisionthe review usually takes up to 60 calendar days
- Registration and extensiontemporary registration at your address, then an extension or a move to permanent residence
Timeline
The review usually takes up to 60 calendar days; the permit is typically issued for up to 1 year and can be extended.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- Filing a generic package without a clear ground is a common reason for documents being returned
- Medical or fingerprinting certificates that have expired by the filing date
- Staying beyond 90 days before the file is submitted violates migration rules
- A temporary residence permit does not give everyone the right to work: for citizens of countries outside the EAEU, the employer may need a permit to hire foreign workers
- Citizens of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan fall under separate rules with a short permit term
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is on request. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
How long is a Kazakhstan temporary residence permit valid?
As a rule, for up to one year, after which it can be extended. A lot depends on the ground. For business immigrants, for example, the first permit is short and is extended once the company is registered. Citizens of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have their own, noticeably shorter term.
How long does the application review take?
As a rule, up to 60 calendar days. With a complete and correctly prepared file the decision often comes sooner, but the timing depends on the migration service, and nobody can promise a specific date.
What documents do I need?
A passport, the application form, documents for your ground, a criminal record certificate, medical certificates, a fingerprinting certificate, an insurance policy and photos. The exact list depends on the ground and on the country that issued your documents, so we put it together for your case.
Can I work with a temporary residence permit?
It depends on your citizenship. EAEU citizens do not need a work permit and work under an employment contract. Foreigners from other countries may need their employer to obtain a permit to hire foreign workers.
Do I need to be in Kazakhstan in person?
Yes, for the filing, the medical examination and fingerprinting. The consultation, document review, translations and insurance can be done remotely, so in Kazakhstan you only spend time on what cannot be done without you.
What comes after the temporary permit?
After the required period of residence on a temporary permit you can apply for permanent residence, and later for Kazakh citizenship. Since 2026 regular permanent residence permits are issued under pilot rules, so it is worth discussing the transition plan early.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
Related programs
Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
