Visa Types — Kazakhstan

Major Visa Categories for Immigrating to Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan's visa system uses a letter-based classification. Below are the major categories relevant to long-term immigration, work, study, and residency. Note that Kazakhstan also has a visa-free regime for 78+ countries (including EU, UK, US, Japan, South Korea) for stays up to 30 days — this list focuses on visas tied to immigration pathways.

Important: Visa fees are often based on *reciprocity* with the applicant's home country, so costs can vary significantly by nationality. Always verify current rates with the nearest Kazakh embassy/consulate or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mfa.gov.kz).

---

Category B — Business Visa

Who it's for: Foreign businesspeople, investors exploring opportunities, individuals attending business meetings, negotiations, or establishing commercial operations.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Invitation letter from a Kazakhstani company or organization registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Valid passport (6+ months validity)
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Business registration documents (if representing a company)

Processing Time: 5–10 business days (standard); 3 days for expedited service

Cost:

• Single-entry: ~$60–100 (approx. 27,000–45,000 KZT)
• Multiple-entry (1 year): ~$150–250 (approx. 68,000–113,000 KZT)
• Fees vary by nationality due to reciprocity agreements

---

Category E — Labor/Work Visa

Who it's for: Foreign nationals hired by Kazakhstani companies, including specialists, executives, and skilled workers under employer sponsorship.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Job offer from a Kazakhstani employer
• Employer must obtain a work permit quota approval from local labor authorities before visa issuance
• Employer justifies why a foreign worker is needed (labor market test in many cases)
• Diploma/professional qualifications and relevant work experience
• Medical certificate (HIV test often required)
• Criminal background check (apostilled/legalized)

Processing Time:

• Work permit approval: 15–30 business days (employer-side process)
• Visa issuance after permit approval: 5–10 business days

Cost:

• Work permit fee (paid by employer): varies by region, roughly 30,000–100,000 KZT depending on category
• Visa fee: ~$100–200 (approx. 45,000–90,000 KZT) for single/multiple entry, 1-year validity
• Additional costs: document legalization/apostille (~$50–150), medical exams (~$50–100)

---

Category D — Private Visa (Family Visit/Reunion)

Who it's for: Foreign nationals visiting or joining family members (spouse, parents, children) who are Kazakhstani citizens or permanent residents.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Invitation from a Kazakhstani citizen/resident relative, notarized and registered
• Proof of family relationship (marriage/birth certificates, apostilled)
• Passport valid 6+ months

Processing Time: 5–15 business days

Cost:

• Single-entry: ~$50–80 (approx. 22,000–36,000 KZT)
• Multiple-entry: ~$100–180 (approx. 45,000–81,000 KZT)

---

Category S — Student Visa

Who it's for: International students admitted to accredited Kazakhstani universities or educational institutions.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Official admission/acceptance letter from a licensed Kazakhstani educational institution
• Proof of tuition payment or scholarship
• Proof of financial support for living expenses
• Medical insurance and health certificate

Processing Time: 10–15 business days

Cost:

• ~$70–120 (approx. 32,000–54,000 KZT) for the initial single-entry student visa
• Extensions/renewals processed via local migration police once in-country: ~10,000–20,000 KZT

---

Category IB/IS — Investor Visa

Who it's for: Foreign investors making significant capital investments in Kazakhstani businesses, real estate, or approved investment projects (including under the "Kazakhstan Investment Visa" scheme tied to Astana International Financial Centre - AIFC).

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum investment threshold (varies by project type; AIFC-related investments often require six-figure USD amounts)
• Registration of investment with relevant state body (Kazakh Invest or AIFC)
• Business plan and proof of legitimate source of funds
• Company registration in Kazakhstan (if establishing a new entity)

Processing Time: 10–20 business days (longer if investment verification is required)

Cost:

• Visa fee: ~$150–300 (approx. 68,000–135,000 KZT), multiple-entry, up to 5 years for qualifying investors
• Additional legal/registration costs vary widely (often $500–2,000+ for company formation and compliance)

---

Category P — Repatriate (Oralman/Kandas) Visa

Who it's for: Ethnic Kazakhs living abroad wishing to permanently resettle in Kazakhstan under the state repatriation program ("Kandas" status).

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Proof of ethnic Kazakh heritage (documentation of nationality/ancestry)
• Application through Kazakhstani consulate or Kandas Committee in home country
• Health certificate, no serious criminal record
• Registration in the state repatriation quota system (though quota was largely abolished in 2022 reforms — now more open registration applies)

Processing Time: Can range from 1–6 months depending on documentation and consulate backlog

Cost:

• Visa/status application: largely subsidized or free for qualifying ethnic Kazakhs under state program
• Nominal administrative fees may apply: ~5,000–15,000 KZT

---

Category N/G — Religious/Missionary Visa

Who it's for: Foreign religious workers, missionaries, or representatives of registered religious organizations in Kazakhstan.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Invitation from a religious organization officially registered with Kazakhstani authorities
• Approval from the Ministry of Information and Social Development (religious affairs oversight)
• Background check and documentation of religious credentials

Processing Time: 15–30 business days (subject to additional security review)

Cost:

• ~$80–150 (approx. 36,000–68,000 KZT)

---

Permanent Residence Permit (ВНЖ / Residence Permit) — Not a Visa, but Key Immigration Status

Who it's for: Foreign nationals seeking long-term settlement, typically after holding a work, family, or investor visa/status for a qualifying period, or through marriage to a Kazakhstani citizen.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Legal residence in Kazakhstan for a minimum period (varies by category, often 3+ years for standard applicants; shorter for spouses of citizens or Kandas)
• Stable income/proof of accommodation
• Kazakh or Russian language proficiency may be assessed
• Clean criminal record and medical clearance
• Application filed with local Migration Police (formerly under MVD)

Processing Time: 2–4 months

Cost:

• State fee: approximately 5–10 MCI (Monthly Calculation Index) — roughly 18,000–37,000 KZT (~$40–80), MCI value updates annually
• Document preparation/translation/legalization costs additional: $100–300

---

Important Notes & Recommendations

• Currency conversions above use approximate rates (1 USD ≈ 445–450 KZT as of early 2024/2025); rates fluctuate, so recalculate at time of application.
• Reciprocity-based pricing: Many visa fees mirror what Kazakhstan's citizens pay for visas to the applicant's home country — this causes wide fee variation (e.g., US applicants often pay more than EU/CIS applicants).
• E-visa system: Kazakhstan has expanded e-visa options for several categories (business, tourist), which can shorten processing to 3–5 business days.
• Regulatory changes: Kazakhstan has been actively reforming its migration and investment visa policies (especially around AIFC and Kandas status) — rules and fees from 2023–2025 may differ from older sources.
• Always verify current requirements, fees, and processing times directly with:
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan (mfa.gov.kz)
• Your nearest Kazakhstani embassy/consulate
• Kazakh Invest (for investor visas) — kazakhinvest.gov.kz
• Local migration police department (for residence permits, once in-country)

More about immigrating to Kazakhstan