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Kazakhstan Permanent Residence: How to Get It in 2026
A permanent status in Kazakhstan that lets you work without a foreign labor permit and, in time, apply for citizenship. We check your ground, prepare the file and support the filing.
Kazakhstan permanent residence gives you the right to live in the country permanently, not temporarily as with a temporary residence permit. There are several grounds: switching from a temporary permit after the required period of residence, family ties to Kazakh citizens, kandas status and other categories under the migration law. In most cases you first get a temporary permit and apply for permanent residence after living on it. Some categories, such as kandases, follow a special procedure. The ground determines both the document list and the filing procedure.
The rules changed in 2026. From February 13 to December 31, 2026, regular permanent residence is issued under a pilot program: you need to pass KAZTEST, fill in a points-based questionnaire, keep at least 1,320 MCI (monthly calculation indices) in a Kazakh bank account and live in one of the designated regions. So our first step is to check which procedure applies to you, and only then do we collect the documents.
Who it is for
- People living in Kazakhstan on a temporary permit who want a permanent status
- Spouses, children and parents of Kazakh citizens
- Kandases and their family members
- Foreigners from any country with long-term plans in Kazakhstan
- People who plan to apply for Kazakh citizenship in the future
Requirements
- A legal ground: residence on a temporary permit, family ties to Kazakh citizens, kandas status or another ground under the law
- For regular permanent residence in 2026, the pilot conditions: KAZTEST, a points-based questionnaire, 1,320 MCI in a bank account and residence in designated regions
- A criminal record certificate, with an apostille and translation if required
- Documents on housing and income
- A medical examination and fingerprinting, valid on the filing date
- A valid passport with time to spare: the residence permit cannot be valid longer than the passport
What we do
- Check your ground and how long you have lived on a temporary permit
- Tell you whether the 2026 pilot requirements apply to you and suggest alternatives if they do not fit
- Put the whole file together, from the application and criminal record certificate to translations and housing and income documents
- Plan the medical examination and fingerprinting
- Handle the filing and correspondence with the migration service until the decision
- Explain how to keep your permanent residence once you have it
Key documents
- Application
- Passport
- Document confirming your current status: a temporary permit or another ground
- Criminal record certificate
- Housing documents and proof of income
- Medical certificates and fingerprinting certificate
- Marriage and birth certificates if your family is applying
- Photos
How it works
- Assessmentyour ground, period of residence and whether the pilot rules apply
- Documentsapplication, certificates, translations, housing and income documents
- Medical check and fingerprintingyou attend in person, and we watch the certificates' validity dates
- Filingthe file goes to the migration service
- Decision and registrationreceiving the document and permanent registration at your address
What to watch out for
- The 2026 pilot requirements do not suit everyone: for many people, the designated regions and the account balance are obstacles
- A passport that expires soon shortens the permit's term and can block the filing
- Certificates that have expired by the filing date send the file back for corrections
- A permit already granted can be canceled, for example if you live in Kazakhstan less than 183 days a year or receive administrative fines in migration, tax or labor matters
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 do I get Kazakhstan permanent residence in 2026?
Determine your ground, check whether the pilot rules apply to you, put together the file and submit it to the migration service. The file includes the application, a criminal record certificate, medical certificates, fingerprinting and documents for your ground. The migration service makes the decision.
What is the 2026 permanent residence pilot?
From February 13 to December 31, 2026, regular permanent residence is issued under pilot rules: KAZTEST, a points-based questionnaire, at least 1,320 MCI in a Kazakh bank account and residence in designated regions. We check whether this applies to you, and what happens after December 31, as of your filing date.
Can I get permanent residence right away, without a temporary permit?
In most cases, no: you first get a temporary permit and apply for permanent residence after living on it. The law provides a special procedure for some categories, such as kandases. If you are only planning your move, we start by choosing a ground for the temporary permit and estimate when and under which rules you can apply for permanent residence.
Can I work with permanent residence?
As a rule, yes: a foreigner permanently residing in Kazakhstan works without the employer needing a permit to hire foreign labor. With permanent residence you can also register as a sole proprietor or found an LLP without separate business immigrant status. The details depend on your situation.
Can I lose my permanent residence?
Yes. The grounds for cancellation include living in Kazakhstan less than 183 calendar days in any 12-month period, administrative fines for violations in migration, tax or labor matters, and forged documents. We explain these rules before you receive the status.
What comes after permanent residence?
After the period of permanent residence set by law, you can apply for Kazakh citizenship. Keep in mind that Kazakhstan does not recognize dual citizenship, so you would have to give up your current one. That is why many people stay on permanent residence for a long time; make this decision with a clear view of the consequences for your passport and property.
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.
