KazakhstanIn person

Permanent residence permission in Kazakhstan

The status that comes before the residence permit: free movement and work without quotas.

Price from

$1,910

Best for

Foreign nationals with a permanent residence visa
nationals of states that have visa-free agreements with Kazakhstan
ethnic Kazakhs regardless of the category of visa

Timeline

6–9 weeks

45 days by law, up to 60 in practice — the same timeline as the residence card itself

Visa term

10 years

Or for the term of the passport — whichever comes first; from the age of 16

The official period is up to 45 calendar days, but new conditions were added in 2026

Permanent residence permission (RPP) is reviewed within up to 45 calendar days from the filing of a complete document package. Since 13 February 2026 a pilot project has applied to first-time applicants (a joint order of the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Information and Digital Development, adilet.zan.kz, G26G0000041): a compulsory KAZTEST language test and an 'immigration potential' points system (the threshold was raised from 400 to 600 points by an order at the end of April 2026) — this may extend the real processing time beyond the formal 45 days.

The RPP is a step before the residence permit, not the final document

The RPP is the Ministry of Internal Affairs permission for permanent residence itself. Once it is approved, the plastic residence permit card is issued separately (7–17 working days) — without it the status is not backed by a document proving identity in Kazakhstan.

Who it suits

Foreign nationals with a permanent residence visa
Nationals of states that have visa-free agreements with Kazakhstan
Ethnic Kazakhs regardless of the category of visa
Persons holding professions that are in demand
Long-term residence
Families

Compare with 9 programmes: special and combined routesRequirements, timelines and the right to work across every country on this ground.

Kazakhstan immigration statuses in Kazakhstan: comparing the options

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
Temporary residence permission in Kazakhstan	CIS citizens, short-term work	~1 week	from $510
Kandas status in Kazakhstan	Ethnic Kazakhs	4–9 weeks	from $665
Work permit in Kazakhstan	Foreign specialists	1–2 weeks	from $980
Permanent residence permission in Kazakhstanyou are here	Long-term residence, families	6–9 weeks	from $1,910
Residence permit in Kazakhstan	CIS citizens, relocators, families	6–9 weeks	from $1,910

What the service includes

Scope: a tick means included in the price, a cross means not included
	Full preparation
	Case support
	Consultations
	Residence permit— billed separately

Official terms

Financial requirement

Proof of financial means or a document exempting the applicant from such proof is required. The state duty for a foreign national's residence card is 20% of the MCI; for a stateless person's certificate it is 400% of the MCI.

Timelines and rights

Review time

17 days from the filing of the documents; on an expedited basis — up to 7 working days

Residence conditions

The right to permanent residence in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Documents and programme requirements

1Proof of income
2Medical certificate
3Education documents

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to citizenship

Permanent residence of at least five years is a ground for applying for admission to citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Frequently asked questions

How long does an RPP actually take in 2026?

The official review period is up to 45 calendar days. But since 13 February 2026 first-time applicants have had an additional pilot stage with the KAZTEST language test and a points assessment of 'immigration potential', because of which the real timeline may run beyond 45 days — we allow up to 90 days as a margin.

Is it true that an RPP now requires a Kazakh language exam?

Yes, since 13 February 2026 this has been part of a pilot project of the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Information — first-time RPP applicants take the KAZTEST online test (the officially required level is A1, although in spring 2026 media reports citing the Ministry of Internal Affairs mentioned B2) and must reach a pass mark (currently at least 600) across a set of criteria: education, age, occupation, financial means and others.

Which documents are mandatory for an RPP besides proof of income?

A foreign passport, a medical certificate confirming the absence of illnesses that would prevent residence in Kazakhstan, an apostilled certificate of no criminal record, housing documents and proof of solvency (on the available data, at least 1,320 MCI, about KZT 5.7 million in 2026).

Sources

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