Kazakhstan residence permit for Russians in 2026
You can enter on an internal passport, but staying has become more expensive: a points assessment, a Kazakh test and about $13,000 in an account per family member. In return, a 10-year card and work without permits.
In short
- Entry: visa-free, on an internal passport, up to 90 days in any 180.
- Permanent residence: points assessment, a Kazakh test, checks and an interview.
- Money in an account: about $13,000 per family member aged 16 and over.
- Time and fee: a decision in 45 days, a fee of about $40.
- The card lasts 10 years, with work and business without permits.
In detail
For a Russian citizen, Kazakhstan is easier to fly into than anywhere else: an internal passport is enough, and you can stay visa-free for 90 days in any 180. Residence is stricter. In 2026 permanent residence is granted after a points assessment and a Kazakh language test, and a Kazakh bank account must hold about $13,000 per family member. All the bases and documents are in our full guide to Kazakhstan residence.
How a Russian citizen gets a Kazakhstan residence permit
In Kazakhstan, residence and permanent residence are not two statuses but two parts of one. First the police issue a permit for permanent residence, then a residence card is issued on its basis for 10 years, but no longer than the passport is valid.
- Entry and registration. If you stay longer than 30 days, your host registers you no later than the 30th day after entry. Without registration you cannot apply for permanent residence.
- Tax number. Since 2026 the individual identification number is issued only in person at a public service centre in Kazakhstan, free of charge, usually within 1-3 working days.
- A basis to live in the country. Russian citizens may work under an employment contract without a work permit, and temporary residence is issued for the contract term.
- Account and test. You open an account with a Kazakh bank, deposit the reserve and take the Kazakh language test.
- Application. A form, the points assessment, checks and an interview. The decision comes within 45 calendar days.
- The residence card follows the permit.
Who gets Kazakhstan residence more easily
| Who | What changes |
|---|---|
| Ethnic Kazakhs with kandas status | no money in an account required |
| People born in Kazakhstan or the Kazakh SSR and their families | no money in an account required |
| Investors | from $300,000 in the capital of a Kazakh company or local securities, then an investor visa of up to 10 years |
| Spouses and close relatives of citizens | the basis is marriage or kinship |
Buying a flat does not count towards the investor visa. If you were born in the Kazakh SSR, check this first: that route removes the heaviest requirement for the whole family.
How much a Kazakhstan residence permit costs
The fee for a permanent residence permit is about $40, with a separate small fee for the card. The main sum is not an expense but a reserve: about $13,000 in an account for each family member aged 16 and over. The money stays yours, but it is confirmed at filing and then every year for 5 years. The amount is tied to the monthly calculation index, a notional unit for fees, so it is revised every year.
You will also need a notarised translation of your passport, an apostilled criminal record certificate and a medical certificate from a Kazakh clinic. In total, state fees start from $40 per adult, excluding the account reserve and documents. A Murblz manager will calculate the cost of our support in the chat: it depends on the basis and the family.
A fee of about $40, and about $13,000 in reserve
The law does not stop you from applying for permanent residence in Kazakhstan on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fee: too few points, money in a bank that does not suit the certificate, registration at an address where you do not live, a criminal record certificate that expires before filing. A refusal comes after 45 days of waiting, and everything starts again. We calculate points for each adult in advance, find a basis and housing with registration, prepare documents and translations and handle the case through to the residence card. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process, and in most cases a result on the first application.
The cost of our support depends on the basis and family size; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
What residence gives and what happens to Russian citizenship
- Work and business without permits, buying a home and a car, compulsory health insurance.
- Entry and exit without visas or limits on days.
- Taxes. You become resident after 183 days in the country in any 12 months. A resident pays income tax of 10-15% on worldwide income. More in our guide to taxes in Kazakhstan.
- Citizenship after 5 years of permanent residence, or 3 years for spouses of citizens. Kazakhstan does not recognise dual citizenship, so the Russian passport would have to be given up. Residence does not affect Russian citizenship, and many families stay on it.
Why applications are refused
- The points assessment or the Kazakh test was not passed.
- The account holds less than required, or the money was withdrawn before the decision.
- The applicant does not live at the registered address.
- There are repeated administrative offences or a conviction for a serious crime.
The current assessment procedure applies until the end of 2026, so plan your filing dates in advance.
How we help
The law does not stop you from applying on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fee: too few points, money in the wrong bank, registration at an address where you do not live, an expired criminal record certificate. We calculate points for each adult in advance, find a basis and housing with registration, prepare documents and translations and handle the case through to the residence card.
Kazakhstan residence
All bases, documents and common refusals.
Learn more →Moving to Kazakhstan
Registration, tax number, work and housing.
Learn more →A bank account in Kazakhstan
Where to keep the reserve for permanent residence.
Learn more →The path to a passport is on the Kazakhstan citizenship page, and city life in our guides to Almaty and Astana.
FAQ
How does a Russian citizen get a Kazakhstan residence permit in 2026?
How much money do you need in an account for Kazakhstan residence?
How much does a Kazakhstan residence permit cost?
How long does a Kazakhstan residence permit take?
Do you need Kazakh for residence?
Can you keep Russian citizenship with Kazakhstan residence?
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.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
Free consultation