Kazakhstan citizenship in 2026: rules and route
Yes, but the Russian passport has to go, and renouncing Russian citizenship costs about $590 since summer 2026. Route, timelines, simplified grounds and cost.
A Russian citizen can obtain Kazakh citizenship, but the Russian passport has to go: Kazakhstan does not allow dual citizenship. The general route is a permanent residence permit, 5 years of living in the country, an exam in Kazakh, the Constitution and history, and a presidential decree. The most expensive payment on the way is not Kazakh but Russian: since summer 2026, renouncing Russian citizenship costs about $590.
All the conditions, documents and reasons for refusal are on the Kazakh citizenship page. Here is the short answer for Russian citizens.
Who can get Kazakh citizenship
| Ground | Residence required | Review |
|---|---|---|
| General procedure | 5 years of permanent lawful residence | Up to 6 months |
| Marriage to a Kazakh citizen | At least 3 years | Up to 6 months |
| A close relative who is a Kazakh citizen, for citizens of former Soviet republics | Not required | Up to 6 months |
| Ethnic Kazakhs returning home, rehabilitated victims of repression and their descendants, widows of citizens | Simplified procedure | Up to 3 months |
For almost everyone the first step is the same: a permanent residence permit. Since 2026 it is granted on points, with a pass mark of 400 and a reserve of about $13,000 in a Kazakh account for each family member. How to get through this stage is covered on the Kazakhstan residence permit page.
What happens to your previous passport
Kazakhstan does not recognise dual citizenship. Admission to citizenship requires giving up the previous one, and a Kazakh citizen who takes a second passport loses the Kazakh one. A detailed breakdown is in our article on Kazakhstan and Russia dual citizenship.
Renouncing Russian citizenship is a separate procedure through the Interior Ministry or a consulate. Since summer 2026, under Law No. 190-FZ of 26 June 2026, its fee has risen almost twelvefold, to $590. Until the renunciation is completed, the Russian passport stays valid for Russia with all its duties, including military service.
How the route works: step by step
- Permanent residence permit on points, then the residence card.
- 5 years of living in Kazakhstan, or 3 years if married to a citizen, with the reserve confirmed every year.
- A certificate of elementary Kazakh and knowledge of the Constitution and history.
- Application with renunciation of the previous citizenship; the decision is a presidential decree, within 6 months.
- Renouncing Russian citizenship through the Interior Ministry or a consulate.
How much Kazakh citizenship costs
- Permanent residence permit: about $40.
- Processing of the documents on acquiring Kazakh citizenship: about $10.
- Renouncing Russian citizenship: about $590.
- Reserve in a Kazakh account for permanent residence: about $13,000 per person. This is not a cost but money confirmed every year.
In total, from $640 in state fees per adult. This excludes the account reserve, the exam, notarised translations, certificates and Murblz support. A manager will calculate the support fee in chat.
From $640 in fees, most of it for renouncing Russian citizenship
The law does not stop you from applying for Kazakh citizenship on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fees: not enough points for permanent residence, a reserve not confirmed in a given year, an expired exam certificate, renunciation of Russian citizenship not completed on time. Murblz support removes these risks: Murblz specialists count points and timelines, check simplified grounds, prepare the permanent residence and citizenship documents and handle the renunciation of Russian citizenship. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process, and in most cases a result on the first filing.
The support fee depends on the ground, the stage of the route and family size; a manager will calculate it in chat.
Kazakh citizenship by birth in the Kazakh SSR
Being born in the Kazakh SSR does not by itself give a separate right to a passport. What matters is having relatives who are Kazakh citizens, ethnic origin, and whether you held Kazakh citizenship before. Whether a simplified ground applies in a specific case is best to ask an expert before applying for permanent residence.
What a Kazakh passport gives and takes away
Citizenship removes the yearly reserve check and renewals, and gives the right to vote and work without restrictions. But together with the Russian passport you lose the right to live in Russia without permits and to vote there. Many Russians who have moved find a residence permit enough: it allows work, business and even registering as an individual entrepreneur in Kazakhstan without giving up the Russian passport. Life and taxes in the country are covered in our guide to moving to Kazakhstan in 2026.
Kazakh citizenship or a residence permit? Tell us why you need a Kazakh passport, whether you have relatives who are citizens and whether you are ready to renounce Russian citizenship. We will map the route and timeline and tell you when a residence permit is enough.
FAQ
Can a foreigner get Kazakh citizenship?
How do you get Kazakh citizenship in 2026?
Can you keep your previous citizenship when getting Kazakh citizenship?
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Don’t want to figure this out alone?
We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Ask your question in the chat: the free consultation starts right here. Legal representation before authorities and courts is handled by Murblz specialists together with locally licensed partners.
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