How to get permanent residence in Kazakhstan in 2026
Since 2026 permanent residence follows a selection: a Kazakh test, 600 points, an interview and about $13,000 in the bank. The fee is about $40 and the decision takes 45 days.
| Key facts | 2026 |
|---|---|
| How it works | after selection: test, questionnaire, 600 points, checks and an interview |
| Bank balance | ~$13,000 per person, confirmed for 5 years |
| No money threshold | families of citizens, investors, kandas, in-demand professions |
| Language | Kazakh test, 70% in each block |
| Fee and timeline | ~$40, decision in 45 days |
| Document | residence permit card for 10 years |
| To citizenship | 5 years with permanent residence, 3 years for spouses of citizens |
Data checked: 07.10.2026
In Kazakhstan permanent residence is called a permanent residence permit, and the 10-year residence permit card is only the document that confirms it. Since 13 February 2026 most applicants go through a selection: a Kazakh language test, a questionnaire on the migration portal, a points score, background checks and an interview. Since 29 April 2026 the pass mark is 600 points.
The second new condition is about $13,000 in a Kazakh bank account: the money is not spent but held and confirmed every year for 5 years. Spouses of citizens, investors, kandas and in-demand specialists are exempt from this threshold. Below: who can apply, how the selection works, documents, timelines, common refusals and the route to citizenship.
We will work out online the investment or income your family needs and what the permit costs for each member.
How many years until permanent residence in Kazakhstan
| Residence ground | Years to permanent residence | Special conditions |
|---|---|---|
| General route: work, business, studies | after selection | Kazakh test, 600 points, interview, ~$13,000 in the bank |
| Marriage to a Kazakh citizen, family reunification | once kinship is confirmed | no bank balance threshold |
| Investor | after investing | from $300,000 in a company or securities, no bank balance threshold |
| In-demand profession, priority project | by government list | no bank balance threshold |
| Foreign technology specialist | under a separate pilot | through the relevant agency |
| Kandas (ethnic Kazakhs) and former citizens | special procedure | regional settlement quotas or the general route |
The selection procedure runs as a pilot until 31 December 2026, and its parameters have already changed during the year: the pass mark went up and the test threshold rose to 70%. That is why the file is prepared to the requirements on the filing date. All ways to live in the country temporarily are on our Kazakhstan residence permit page.
Who can apply for permanent residence in Kazakhstan
You can apply for permanent residence if you are in Kazakhstan lawfully and registered at your place of residence. On the general route you pass the selection first, and documents are accepted only after the interview. For families of citizens, investors and kandas the route is shorter: the money threshold does not apply to them.
Who applies and on what terms:
- general route: Kazakh test, questionnaire, at least 600 points, checks, interview and about $13,000 in the bank;
- spouses and close relatives of Kazakh citizens: family reunification, no money threshold;
- investors: an investor visa after investing at least $300,000 in the share capital of a Kazakh company or local securities;
- in-demand specialists and participants in priority projects: by government lists;
- kandas and former citizens: through regional settlement quotas with a 5-year relocation, or on general grounds.
The questionnaire and test are taken online, and documents go to the police migration service at your place of residence. Without an address registration the application is not accepted, and living away from your registered address is one of the reasons for refusal.
Kandas who take a quota and state support commit to living for 5 years in one of eight settlement regions: Akmola, Atyrau, East Kazakhstan, West Kazakhstan, Kostanay, Pavlodar, North Kazakhstan or Abai. Without a quota they apply on general grounds and choose the city themselves.
How residence time and absences are counted
What matters for permanent residence is less the length of stay than lawful presence on the filing date: a visa or visa-free period, temporary residence and address registration. Citizens of visa-free countries may stay in Kazakhstan up to 90 days in any 180, and leaving and re-entering does not reset the count.
So the selection and filing are planned to fit within your lawful stay, or temporary residence for work, study, business or family is arranged in advance. During processing the applicant needs a valid status in the country.
The bank balance is confirmed on filing and then every year for 5 years, so the reserve is kept in a separate account and not spent. Time towards citizenship is counted only from the permanent residence permit: years on temporary grounds do not count towards the 5.
Documents for permanent residence in Kazakhstan
- application on the prescribed form;
- passport valid for at least 180 days from filing, with a notarised translation;
- autobiography;
- police certificate from your country of citizenship and country of permanent residence, apostilled or legalised;
- medical certificate from a clinic in Kazakhstan;
- bank statement showing the balance and proof of income;
- lease or property documents and registration at your place of residence;
- Kazakh test result and the selection decision;
- photos, and for families, apostilled marriage and children's birth certificates.
Documents in foreign languages are translated into Kazakh or Russian and notarised. Certificates must be recent: a police certificate is valid for a limited time and an expired one will not be accepted.
Language and exams
The Kazakh language test is mandatory on the general route. It has 60 questions, 20 listening and 40 reading, with 1 hour 10 minutes in total. Since 29 April 2026 you need at least 70% in each block. Results arrive within 3 working days; you can retake twice within 30 days, and each attempt is paid separately.
Knowledge of Kazakh, Russian and English also earns points in the selection questionnaire. Citizenship requires a full exam on the language, the basics of the Constitution and the history of Kazakhstan.
How much permanent residence in Kazakhstan costs and how long it takes
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Permanent residence permit | ~$40 |
| Bank balance: a reserve, not a payment | ~$13,000 per person |
| Kazakh language test, each attempt | separate fee |
| Residence permit card | small separate fee |
| Translations, certificates, medical certificate | per document |
| Our support | a manager will calculate it in the chat |
Government fees on the way to permanent residence are small: about $40 for the permit and a small fee for the card. The main sum is the bank reserve: about $13,000 per applicant. The money stays yours, but it is confirmed on filing and then every year for 5 years.
The decision is made within 45 calendar days of a complete file. The selection before filing, with the test, questionnaire, checks and interview, takes about a month.
For a family of three the bank reserve comes to about $39,000, so the amount is planned in advance, before the selection starts.
For a family of three, the whole route costs from $150. We will calculate the exact amount for your family in the chat.
The selection fails on the test and the money
The law does not prevent you from applying for permanent residence on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fee: scoring below 70% in even one block of the Kazakh test stops the whole selection, there are only two retakes, the bank reserve is confirmed for 5 years, and living away from your registered address leads to refusal. Murblz support removes these risks: we score your questionnaire before you start, prepare you for the test, check whether you qualify for an exemption from the money threshold, collect and translate documents and handle the application through to the card. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process, and in most cases a result on the first filing.
The support fee depends on your ground and family size; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
Why permanent residence is refused in Kazakhstan
- below 70% in any block of the Kazakh test, or fewer than 600 points in the selection;
- the required balance is missing or not confirmed;
- spending fewer than 183 days a year in Kazakhstan;
- not living at the registered address;
- serious crimes, repeated administrative offences, labour law violations;
- false information in the questionnaire or documents.
After a failed selection the procedure starts again, and test retakes are limited. That is why we score the questionnaire, prepare you for the test and check documents before you start.
What permanent residence in Kazakhstan gives and how it differs from citizenship
| Question | Permanent residence | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | permanent, card valid 10 years | for life |
| Work and business | no permits needed | no permits needed |
| Passport | you keep your own country's passport | Kazakh passport, previous citizenship ends |
| Bank balance | confirmed for 5 years | not required |
| Exam | Kazakh test on the general route | language, Constitution and history |
| Elections | no vote | full vote |
Kazakhstan does not recognise dual citizenship, so permanent residence is a way to live and work in the country while keeping your own passport.
Citizenship is granted after 5 years of permanent residence, or after 3 years of marriage for spouses of citizens. Details are on our Kazakh citizenship page.
Restrictions for specific nationalities
The permanent residence rules are the same for all nationalities, but entry and work rules differ. Citizens of Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia work in Kazakhstan without permits under the Eurasian Economic Union treaty. Citizens of visa-free countries may stay up to 90 days in any 180.
Citizens of Ukraine may stay in Kazakhstan visa-free for up to 90 days in 180, citizens of the European Union and the United States for up to 30 days. This gives no advantage for permanent residence: the selection and the money threshold are the same for everyone.
From 1 November 2026 an electronic travel authorisation is introduced for air passengers from visa-free countries, and at land, rail and sea checkpoints in November and December. Holders of permanent and temporary residence do not need it. Details are in our review of the Kazakhstan electronic travel authorisation.
This topic in other countries
Permanent residence in other countries:
- How to get permanent residence in Serbia in 2026
- How to get permanent residence in Vietnam in 2026
- How to get permanent residence in Belarus in 2026
- How to get permanent residence in Spain in 2026
- How to get permanent residence in Thailand in 2026
- How to get permanent residence in Georgia in 2026
- How to get permanent residence in China in 2026
- How to get permanent residence in Poland in 2026
- How to get permanent residence in Azerbaijan in 2026
- How to get permanent residence in the US in 2026: every route to a green card
- How to get permanent residence in Canada in 2026
- Permanent residence in Germany
- Permanent residence in Japan
About this country:
- Kazakhstan residence permit
- Family reunification in Kazakhstan
- Kazakh citizenship
- Taxes in Kazakhstan
- Almaty: districts and prices
- Astana: districts and prices
- Company registration in Kazakhstan
- Cost of living in Kazakhstan
FAQ
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