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Take normal security precautions in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan
Vast steppe horizons and urban contrasts define Kazakhstan, where Kazakh and Russian cultures intersect between Astana and Almaty.
Overview
Kazakhstan’s immense scale stretches from the Caspian edge to the endless grasslands, with distances shaping daily life and travel. Astana’s modern architecture contrasts with Almaty’s foothill charm, and the blend of Kazakh and Russian languages reflects the country’s layered identity. The steppe’s openness is both a challenge and a source of fascination for many newcomers.
At a glance
Languages
- Kazakh(Official)
- Russian(Official)
Population20,139,914
CurrencyKazakhstani tenge (KZT)
1 KZT = 0.002119 USD
1 USD = 471.92 KZT
Cost of living
Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.
Cost of LivingPotentially much less expensiveSource category: All | 2026
RentPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Rent | 2026
GroceriesPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Grocery | 2026
RestaurantPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Restaurant | 2026
Local Purchasing PowerWeaker local purchasing powerSource category: Purchasing Power | 2026
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Quality of life
Quality of LifeStrongSource category: Quality Of Life | 2026 | Overall quality of life index
SafetyMixedSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)
HealthcareGenerally favorableSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)
PollutionElevatedSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)
TrafficHighSource category: Traffic | 2026 | Overall traffic index (considers time + inefficiency + CO2)
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Entry requirements
Visa and residency reference data is available for Investor, IT Worker, Work (Employer-Sponsored), and 6 more.
Investor
- Business Immigrant Visa C5
Kazakhstan C5 employment-visa category for business immigrants, with medical insurance and criminal-record documentation listed in the consular source.
- 2 years
IT Worker
- Digital Nomad Permanent-Residence Visa B9-1
Kazakhstan B9-1 Digital Nomad Visa for IT specialists traveling to Kazakhstan to obtain a permanent residence permit, issued as a single-entry electronic visa or a multiple paper visa for up to one year.
- 1 year
- Path to residency
Work (Employer-Sponsored)
- Employment Visa C3
Kazakhstan C3 employment visa for people traveling to or staying in Kazakhstan for work and their family members; the source lists multiple-entry validity up to three years, or up to five years for listed AIFC and Astana Hub cases.
- 3 years
- Employer-sponsored only
Family Reunification
- Family Reunification Visa C2
Kazakhstan C2 family-reunification visa for eligible family members of citizens, permanent residents, ethnic Kazakhs, former compatriots, qualifying temporary-residence holders, and business immigrants.
- 1 year
Permanent Residence Pathway
- IT Specialist Permanent Residence Permit
Kazakhstan permanent-residence permit service for foreign IT specialists, including simplified in-demand-profession petition requirements and financial-solvency documentation.
- Path to residency
Digital Nomad
- Neo Nomad Visa B12-1
Kazakhstan Neo Nomad Visa B12-1 for foreign tourists who work remotely while traveling and have verified monthly income of at least GBP 2,400 or USD 3,000; the official source states that the visa does not permit employment in Kazakhstan.
- 1 year, renewable
- Remote/foreign employment only
Permanent Residency
- Permanent Residence Permit
Kazakhstan permanent residence route requiring a prior permit for permanent residence; the situation guide says foreign citizens with a permanent-residence visa category can obtain a residence permit and lists application documents and refusal grounds.
Temporary Residence
- Temporary Residence Permit
Kazakhstan temporary residence permit route for foreigners and stateless persons, including family reunification, work, study, treatment, missionary, entrepreneurial, trafficking victim, and permanent-residence-application purposes.
- 1 year, renewable
- Path to residency
Tourist / Visa Waiver
- Tourist Visa B12
Kazakhstan B12 tourist visa for travelers visiting as tourists; the consular source lists stays of not more than 30 days for single-entry and multiple-entry tourist visas.
- 30 days
- No work rights
Languages
- Kazakh(Official)
- Russian(Official)
Sources
- Country language reference
Safety
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Kazakhstan.
United Kingdom
No destination-wide FCDO travel warning
FCDO travel advice currently has no destination-wide warning for Kazakhstan. Review the full FCDO travel advice before travelling, including safety, entry, health, and insurance guidance.
United States
Level 1Exercise Normal Precautions
Exercise normal precautions in Kazakhstan.
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