KazakhstanIn person

Kandas status in Kazakhstan

A special status for ethnic Kazakhs, with state support.

Price from

$615

Best for

Ethnic Kazakhs

Timeline

4–9 weeks

Tax

—

Format

In person

The quota is not on the status itself but on state support for resettlement

Kandas status itself is granted with no direct numerical limit once Kazakh ethnicity is confirmed, but the regional quota for 2026 — 2,281 people (order of the acting Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Kazakhstan No. 401 of 12.12.2025, in force from 03.01.2026, adilet.zan.kz, G25G0000401) — caps the number of kandas who receive state support when resettling to labour-shortage regions (a one-off payment of 70 MCI per family member, housing rent compensation of 15–30 MCI a month for up to 12 months and so on). Outside the quota the status can still be obtained, but without these payments.

From 13 February 2026 kandas applicants also go through the pilot project with testing

Since 13 February 2026 the service 'Granting or extending kandas status' has been included in the same pilot project as the RPP and the residence permit (a joint order of the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Information and Digital Development): a questionnaire and an 'immigration potential' assessment on the migration.enbek.kz portal, testing and an interview at the place of residence. This may add stages and time to the previously simpler procedure.

What the service includes

Scope: a tick means included in the price, a cross means billed separately
	Consultation
	Preparation
	Case support
	Citizenship— billed separately

What we need from you

1Ethnic Kazakh descent
2Passport
3Document confirming the absence of Kazakhstani citizenship

Frequently asked questions

Is there a limit on the number of kandas per year?

There is no direct limit on the status itself, but the regional quota for state support on relocation (one-off and monthly payments) for 2026 is capped at 2,281 people — set by Ministry of Labour order No. 401 of 12.12.2025 (in force from 03.01.2026), published on adilet.zan.kz.

Who counts as an 'ethnic Kazakh' for the purposes of the status?

A foreign national or stateless person of Kazakh ethnicity who has never held Kazakhstani citizenship, confirmed by documents from the country of origin (passport, birth certificate and others) stating the ethnicity 'Kazakh', or by other official documents from the relevant authorities of the country of origin.

Does a kandas automatically receive Kazakhstani citizenship?

No. Kandas status gives benefits (healthcare and social protection on a par with citizens of Kazakhstan, school places, possible subsidies for relocation and housing), but citizenship is arranged separately, under the general procedure, and is not granted automatically together with the status.

Sources

Kazakhstan immigration statuses in Kazakhstan: comparison

The difference is not the price — it is who each option suits. The “Best for” column is the business profile the option is built around.

Option	Best for	Timeline	Price from
Temporary residence permission in Kazakhstan	CIS citizens, short-term work	3–4 weeks	$50
Kandas status in Kazakhstanyou are here	Ethnic Kazakhs	4–9 weeks	$615
Work permit in Kazakhstan	Foreign specialists	2–4 weeks	$1,030
Residence permit in Kazakhstan	CIS citizens, relocators, families	2–3 months	$1,760
Permanent residence permission in Kazakhstan	Long-term residence, families	2–3 months	$1,760

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