Moving to Kazakhstan in 2026: Major Cities Closed to Expats and the New 400-Point Test
July 27, 2026
ShareKazakhstan just closed permanent residency entirely in Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent - the country's three million-plus-population cities - while simultaneously posting one of the fastest GDP growth rates in Central Asia at 4.6% for 2026. Since February 13, 2026, applicants also face a mandatory Kazakh-language test, a 400-point digital scoring system, and a formal interview before they can even file paperwork. This is everything you need to know before you move.[1][2][3]
The Economy: Eyes Open
Kazakhstan's 2026 economic story is one of genuine resilience against a soft global backdrop. The IMF maintained its 4.6% GDP growth forecast for 2026 (4.4% for 2027) following its June 2026 mission to the country, explicitly citing resilient economic dynamics driven by high oil prices, active domestic demand, and continued investment inflows. This holds up well against the IMF's broader global growth forecast cut to just 3.1% for 2026 - Kazakhstan's economy is genuinely outperforming the world average by a wide margin.[4][5][6]
| Source | 2026 Forecast |
|---|---|
| IMF (June 2026, confirmed) | 4.6%[4] |
| World Bank | 4.5%[7] |
| United Nations | 4.6%[7] |
| ING Bank | 4.8%[8] |
| National Bank of Kazakhstan | 3.5-4.5%[8] |
The economy actually exceeded its own 2025 forecasts, growing an estimated 6.2-6.5% for the year against an initial IMF projection of just 5.9%, driven by strong oil production and domestic demand. The one genuine concern is inflation: the IMF projects 10.7% average inflation in 2026, easing only slightly to 10.1% in 2027 - a persistent headwind for anyone budgeting in local currency terms.[7][6]
Visas and Residency: What Changed in 2026 - A Genuine Overhaul
This is the single most important section of this guide, because Kazakhstan's residency system underwent its most significant restructuring in years, effective February 13, 2026, and it fundamentally changes who can settle where.
The Headline Change: Three Major Cities Are Now Closed
As of an April 2026 joint ministerial order, Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent - Kazakhstan's three cities with populations over one million - no longer issue permanent residence permits to new applicants. The list of closed regions extends further: Almaty region, West Kazakhstan, Aktobe, Atyrau, Mangistau, Kyzylorda, Karaganda, Turkestan, Zhambyl, and Zhetysu regions are also now off-limits. Out of 20 regions nationwide, only 7 remain open: Akmola region (excluding the city of Kosshy and the Arshalyn and Tselinograd districts), East Kazakhstan, Kostanai, Ulytau, Pavlodar, North Kazakhstan, and Abay regions.[2]
Five-Year Lock-In
After receiving a permit in one of the seven open regions, relocating elsewhere within Kazakhstan during the first five years is prohibited - doing so risks permit revocation. During this five-year window, applicants must annually confirm financial solvency of 1,320 MCI (monthly calculation index) - 5.7 million tenge (~$12,000) for 2026.[9][2]
The New Five-Stage Digital Screening Process
Every general-track applicant for permanent residence must now clear a formal sequence before even filing:
| Stage | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 1. KAZTEST language exam | Kazakh, A1 level, online via app.testcenter.kz, minimum 30% correct in both listening and reading sections[9] |
| 2. Digital questionnaire | Education, language skills, work history, health, criminal record - for applicant and full extended family[9] |
| 3. Points scoring | Minimum 400 of a possible several hundred points across age, education, language, experience, and health factors[9] |
| 4. Interagency verification | Cross-checked against government databases, up to 20 business days[9] |
| 5. Interview | Mandatory, in-person or online, final notification within 1-2 days[9] |
The Points Breakdown
| Criterion | Maximum Points |
|---|---|
| Language proficiency (Kazakh up to 120, English up to 60 with IELTS/TOEFL, Russian up to 60) | 240[2][9] |
| Education | 150[2] |
| Age (younger favored) | 110[2] |
| Study/work experience (Kazakhstan and abroad) | 80[2] |
| Professional competencies/skills | 80[2] |
| Family ties in Kazakhstan | up to 200 additional[9] |
A health coefficient (0 to 1, based on medical examination) then multiplies the total score. Applicants scoring below 400 receive an automatic system rejection - no appeal path through the standard track.[2][9]
Who's Exempt
Digital nomads, in-demand professionals (IT specialists, doctors, creative industry roles, scientists), investors, minors, legally incapable individuals, and people making a "significant contribution to economic development" can bypass the testing and scoring requirements entirely. Applicants over 60 reuniting with family are exempt from the language test specifically.[10][9][2]
The Investor Fast Track
In a genuinely notable counterpoint to the tightened general rules, Kazakhstan simultaneously eased entry for investors in April 2026 - accelerated procedures and separate, simplified visa regimes now apply specifically to investors, business representatives, and foreign specialists in demand occupations (AI engineers, application developers, neurosurgeons, oncologists, and others on an official priority list).[11]
The Real Cost and Timeline
| Fee/Requirement | Amount |
|---|---|
| Permanent residence permit state fee | 4 MCI (~17,300 KZT)[12] |
| Permanent residence permit service fee (AIFC Expat Centre) | 480,000 KZT[12] |
| Standard processing time | 45 working days[12] |
| Financial solvency proof (annual, first 5 years) | 5.7 million KZT (~$12,000)[2][9] |
| Full digital screening + application timeline | ~30 days for screening, plus 45 for the permit itself[9] |
An Important Reassurance for Existing Holders
Anyone already holding a Kazakhstan residence permit is unaffected - the new rules apply strictly to new applicants, and renewal of existing permits continues under the previous procedure with permanent residence status carrying no term limit.[9][2]
The Exit Document Complication
Applicants must also secure either formal consent from their home country for permanent emigration, or an official "exit certificate" - a requirement lawyers describe as genuinely ambiguous in practice, with no settled format yet established, and one of the most contested elements of the new system.[9]
Path to Citizenship
Kazakhstan naturalization generally builds on permanent residence status and requires demonstrated integration, though the country does not broadly recognize dual citizenship for most applicants, requiring renunciation of prior nationality in most cases. Given the residency system's 2026 overhaul, anyone pursuing this path should get current legal guidance rather than relying on pre-2026 assumptions.
Cost of Living: The Real Numbers
Kazakhstan delivers genuinely affordable living once you look past capital-city rent premiums.
City Comparison (2026, monthly, single person)
| City | Estimated Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Almaty | 350,000 KZT ($650)[13] |
| Astana | 320,000 KZT ($595)[13] |
| Shymkent | 220,000 KZT ($410)[13] |
| Karaganda | 200,000 KZT ($370)[13] |
| Pavlodar / Taraz | 190,000 KZT ($355)[13] |
| Semey (cheapest major city) | 180,000 KZT ($335)[13] |
A genuinely comfortable single-person budget in Almaty or Astana runs 350,000-400,000 KZT/month, covering a one-bedroom rental, food, transport, and entertainment. Family budgets for a household of four run roughly 2.5-3x the single-person figure, or 800,000-1,200,000 KZT/month. Rent in Almaty city center runs from 250,000 KZT for a one-bedroom to 350,000+ KZT for a two-bedroom, with Astana running slightly cheaper across comparable unit types.[13]
Taxes: What You Actually Pay
Kazakhstan runs a genuinely simple, low progressive structure by regional standards.
2026 Personal Income Tax Brackets
| Annual Income | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to 8,500 MCI (~33.4 million KZT / ~$66,000) | 10%[14][15] |
| Above 8,500 MCI | 15% on the excess only[15] |
The calculation is genuinely progressive in structure - the first 8,500 MCI of income is taxed at 10%, and only the portion above that threshold faces the higher 15% rate.[15]
Other Key Rates
| Tax Category | Rate |
|---|---|
| Employee pension contribution | 10%[14] |
| Employee medical insurance contribution | 2%[14] |
| Combined employee social contributions | 12%[14] |
| Dividend withholding tax | 5%[14] |
Residency and Worldwide Income
Kazakhstan tax residents are taxed on their worldwide income; non-residents are taxed only on Kazakhstan-source income. The standard residency threshold follows the common international 183-day rule, though those on the new permanent residence track should confirm their specific status implications given the 2026 procedural overhaul.[15]
Healthcare: Public vs. Private
Almaty and Astana host healthcare facilities that meet international standards, but coverage drops sharply outside these two hubs - remote regions genuinely lack adequate healthcare infrastructure, making comprehensive travel or expat health insurance with medical evacuation coverage a practical necessity rather than an optional extra. The AIFC Expat Centre in Astana provides a dedicated services channel for foreign residents navigating both immigration and related administrative processes, reflecting the government's specific effort to streamline bureaucracy for its target expat and investor population.[12][16]
Safety
Kazakhstan holds a US State Department Level 1 "Exercise Normal Precautions" advisory as of March 2026, and the UK's FCDO similarly classifies the country as stable with no significant security threats affecting tourists. Numbeo's most recent Almaty data (updated February 2026) puts the city's Level of Crime at 56.27 ("Moderate"), with safety walking alone during daylight scoring 69.98 ("High") but dropping to 36.04 ("Low") at night.[17][16]
The One Standout Concern: Corruption
As in Azerbaijan, corruption and bribery perception is the clear outlier in Almaty's safety profile, scoring 88.47 ("Very High") - dramatically above every other crime category Numbeo tracks for the city.[17]
Official 2025 Crime Statistics by Region
| Region | Crimes per 10,000 People |
|---|---|
| Almaty (highest nationally) | 95.5[18] |
| Astana | 101.3[18] |
| Abay region | 74.8[18] |
| Pavlodar region | 70.1[18] |
| East Kazakhstan region | 65.2[18] |
| Zhambyl region | 37.5[18] |
| Mangystau region | 36.5[18] |
| Kyzylorda region | 34.6[18] |
| Turkestan region (safest nationally) | 22.5[18] |
Kazakhstan recorded approximately 124,000 crimes nationally in 2025 - the lowest figure in a decade, a genuinely positive underlying trend despite Almaty and Astana's comparatively higher per-capita rates.[18]
Practical Risk Areas
Almaty's Kok-Bazaar district accounts for roughly 40% of tourist-related crime incidents within 500 meters of major markets, with pickpocketing (60% of incidents) and bag-snatching (25%) the dominant crime types - violent crime against visitors remains genuinely rare. Road safety is a more material concern than street crime: Kazakhstan's traffic fatality rate reaches 17.4 per 100,000 residents annually, driven by poor road conditions, aggressive driving, and harsh winter driving conditions between November and March.[16]
Practical Precautions
- Avoid displaying valuables around Kok-Bazaar and Republic Square in Almaty, particularly during evening hours (20:00-02:00)[16]
- Use official taxi companies or established ride-sharing apps rather than unmarked vehicles approaching near tourist sites[16]
- Use bank-affiliated ATMs inside shopping centers rather than standalone street machines to reduce skimming risk[16]
- Exercise particular caution with winter driving between November and March given the country's elevated traffic fatality rate[16]
- Carry photocopies of essential documents while keeping originals secured in a hotel safe[16]
English in Everyday Life
English proficiency remains genuinely limited outside Almaty's and Astana's international business districts and the AIFC financial hub. Russian functions as a practical lingua franca across much of daily life and government interaction, while Kazakh is now formally required (A1 level minimum) for anyone pursuing permanent residency under the new 2026 system - a genuinely significant shift from prior years when Russian alone was often sufficient.[9]
Which Region?
Almaty
Kazakhstan's commercial and cultural capital and the country's most internationally connected city, though now closed to new permanent residency applicants under the 2026 rules. Foreign residents already established here, or those on temporary/work-permit tracks, still benefit from the deepest expat infrastructure and international business presence in the country. Highest per-capita crime rate nationally, though this remains largely petty-theft and market-area risk rather than violent crime.[18][2]
Astana (Nur-Sultan region / Akmola)
The capital itself is now closed to new permanent residents, but the surrounding Akmola region (excluding specific districts) remains one of the seven regions still open - a genuinely important distinction for anyone specifically targeting the Astana metro area. Astana posts the highest crimes-per-10,000-people rate nationally, though this reflects a smaller population base relative to Almaty's absolute crime volume.[2][18]
East Kazakhstan, Kostanai, Pavlodar, North Kazakhstan, Abay, Ulytau
The seven regions where permanent residency remains genuinely available in 2026, generally offering lower costs of living than Almaty or Astana, at the trade-off of less developed international infrastructure and English-language services.[2]
Turkestan Region
The safest region in the country by official 2025 crime statistics, though it currently sits on the list of regions closed to new permanent residents.[18][2]
Buying Property
Kazakhstan draws a firm, long-standing line on land: agricultural land ownership by foreigners is permanently banned, a policy signed into law in 2021 following years of public protest over the issue, and reaffirmed as recently as 2021 by President Tokayev himself, who called land ownership "a fundamental and sacred emblem of our nationhood."[19][20]
What Foreigners Can and Cannot Buy
| Property Type | Foreign Ownership Status |
|---|---|
| Agricultural land | Permanently banned (individuals and foreign-linked entities)[19] |
| Residential apartments and buildings | Generally permitted, subject to standard property law[21] |
| Non-agricultural urban/commercial land | Case-by-case, increasingly under review[22] |
| Agricultural land lease (post-2026, foreign legal entities only) | Up to 25 years, after the moratorium expires December 31, 2026[23] |
A Notable 2026 Policy Signal
Kazakhstani officials confirmed in May 2026 that foreigners may be permitted to purchase non-agricultural land specifically in Alatau (near Almaty) for industrial facilities, casinos, and commercial projects - explicitly distinguishing this from the agricultural land ban, and suggesting a gradual, sector-specific loosening around urban and industrial land even as the core agricultural ban stays firmly intact.[22]
The Investment Project Route for Commercial Land
Foreign companies (not individuals) can access land through a formal investment project application to the local Akimat, requiring a business plan aligned with priority economic sectors and proof of investment of at least 150,000 MRP (~590 million KZT, roughly $1.1 million) - a multi-month process taking 3-4 months in practice, or alternatively through public land-use auctions.[23]
Important: this guide covers residential property purchase by individuals distinctly from the agricultural and large-scale commercial land rules above - apartment and building purchases follow more conventional property law processes, though buyers should confirm current requirements with a local real estate lawyer given how actively Kazakhstan's land and residency framework is evolving through 2026.[21]
Your First Steps: The Checklist
- Confirm which of the seven open regions actually fits your plans - Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent are now closed to new permanent residency applicants, a genuinely fundamental change from prior years[2]
- Check whether you qualify for an exemption from the new testing and scoring system - digital nomads, in-demand professionals, and investors bypass the process entirely[9]
- If not exempt, start the KAZTEST Kazakh-language exam early - A1 level, online, with only limited retry attempts within a 30-day window[3][2]
- Budget the real financial threshold: 5.7 million KZT (~$12,000) must be demonstrated annually for the first five years after receiving a permit in an open region[2]
- Investigate the "exit certificate" or home-country departure consent requirement immediately - lawyers flag this as the most genuinely unresolved and potentially difficult element of the new process[9]
- Plan for a 5-year lock-in to your chosen region once your permit is granted - internal relocation within Kazakhstan during that window risks revocation[2]
- If pursuing agricultural land for any purpose, understand the ban is permanent for individuals - the only route for foreign legal entities is a post-2026 lease of up to 25 years[19][23]
- Budget realistic costs by city: Almaty and Astana run 320,000-350,000 KZT/month for a single person; Semey and Pavlodar offer meaningfully lower costs under 200,000 KZT[13]
- Arrange comprehensive health insurance with medical evacuation coverage, particularly if settling outside Almaty or Astana where healthcare infrastructure thins out considerably[16]
- Get current legal guidance before assuming any pre-2026 residency or land-ownership rule still applies - this is a genuinely fast-moving regulatory environment in 2026[22][9]
Key Data at a Glance
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| GDP Growth Forecast 2026 (IMF, confirmed June) | 4.6%[4] |
| GDP Growth 2025 (estimated) | 6.2-6.5%[7] |
| Inflation Forecast 2026 (IMF) | 10.7%[6] |
| Regions Open to New Permanent Residents | 7 of 20[2] |
| Minimum Points Score for Residency | 400[9] |
| Kazakh Language Test Level Required | A1 (KAZTEST)[9] |
| Annual Financial Solvency Requirement (first 5 years) | 5.7 million KZT (~$12,000)[2] |
| Permanent Residence Permit Processing Time | 45 working days[12] |
| Top Personal Income Tax Rate | 15% (above 8,500 MCI/year)[15] |
| Employee Social Contributions | 12% (10% pension + 2% medical)[14] |
| Dividend Withholding Tax | 5%[14] |
| Foreign Agricultural Land Ownership | Permanently banned[19] |
| Foreign Legal Entity Agricultural Lease (post-2026) | Up to 25 years[23] |
| Single Person Monthly Cost (Almaty) | ~$650[13] |
| Single Person Monthly Cost (Astana) | ~$595[13] |
| US State Department Advisory | Level 1 - Normal Precautions[16] |
| Almaty Numbeo Crime Level | 56.27, Moderate[17] |
| Almaty Corruption Perception | 88.47, Very High[17] |
| Safest Region (2025 crime data) | Turkestan (22.5 per 10,000)[18] |
| Traffic Fatality Rate | 17.4 per 100,000/year[16] |
Kazakhstan in 2026 rewards a genuinely narrow profile now: those who qualify for an exemption as an investor, digital nomad, or in-demand specialist can move through a streamlined fast track, while everyone else faces a demonstrably steeper climb - a mandatory language test, a 400-point scoring bar, an ambiguous exit-document requirement, and a shrinking map of regions where permanent residency remains available at all.
References
Kazakhstan stopped issuing residence permits in cities with millions ... - The Kazakh authorities have tightened the access of foreigners to permanent residence in the country...
Казахстан выгоняет мигрантов? Новый сложный порядок оформления РПП и ВНЖ Казахстана с 13.02.2026 - Казахстан выгоняет мигрантов? Новый сложный порядок оформления РПП и ВНЖ Казахстана с 13.02.2026 Нев...
IMF maintains forecast for Kazakhstan's economic growth ... - IMF raised its forecast for Kazakhstan's GDP growth in 2026 to 4.6% and to 4.4% in 2027.
IMF upgrades Kazakhstan's 2026, 2027 growth forecasts - ALMATY. April 14 (Interfax-Kazakhstan) - The International Monetary Fund has raised its growth outlo...
Kazakhstan Shows Resilience as IMF Cuts Global Growth Forecast ... - Kazakhstan Shows Resilience as IMF Cuts Global Growth Forecast to 3.1%
KAZAKHSTAN-IMF-GDP-FORECAST - Agenzia ICE - ICE - Agenzia per la promozione all'estero e l'internazionalizzazione delle imprese italiane organis...
IMF Forecasts Kazakhstan's Real Oil GDP Growth At 3.6% In 2026 - IMF Forecasts Kazakhstan's Real Oil GDP Growth At 3.6% In 2026. BAKU, Azerbaijan, February ...
New Rules for Kazakhstan Residency Permits 2026 - Foreign nationals are now required to undergo a digital screening, demonstrate language proficiency,...
a new pilot project amends the terms of permanent residence ...
Kazakhstan Eases Entry for Investors While Tightening Permanent ... - Kazakhstan has simplified entry, visa processing and permit procedures for investors, business repre...
GUIDEBOOK - 2026 EXPAT CENTRE SERVICES - This service allows foreign citizens who meet the requirements of the list of in-demand professions ...
Калькулятор стоимости жизни 2026 - сравнение городов ... - Калькулятор сравнения стоимости жизни в городах Казахстана 2026. Сравнение Алматы, Астана, Шымкент п...
Kazakhstan Tax Guide Hub 2026: Income Tax, Rates & Calculator - Kazakhstan income tax guide hub 2026. 10% on annual income up to 8,500 MCI (~KZT 33.4M / ~$66K); 15%...
Kazakhstan - Individual - Taxes on personal income - Income above 8,500 MCI: 15%. The calculation of the PIT on income over 8,500 MCI in 2026 is as follo...
Kazakhstan Travel Advisory Warning 2026 - Almaty's Kok-Bazaar district experiences the highest incident rates. Police data shows 40% of touris...
The largest number of crimes in Kazakhstan last year was registered ... - The largest number of crimes in Kazakhstan in 2025 was registered in Almaty-22,200. In Astana, the n...
Kazakh president orders ban on foreign ownership of farmland - Kazakhstan will permanently ban foreigners from owning or renting farmland in the vast Central Asian...
Kazakh President Signs Into Law Long-Debated Bill Banning Land ... - Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev has signed into law a long-debated and sensitive bill that ban...
Kazakhstan weighs land sales to foreign investors in Alatau - Kursiv.kz - Kazakhstan may allow foreigners to purchase non-agricultural land in Alatau for commercial projects
I continue to explore the ways foreign businesses can acquire land in… | Rzabek Artygaliev - I continue to explore the ways foreign businesses can acquire land in Kazakhstan. We have already es...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary visa and residence options for moving to Kazakhstan in 2026? As of an April 2026 joint ministerial order, Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent - Kazakhstan's three cities with populations over one million - no longer issue permanent residence permits to new applicants.
How does personal income tax work for expats in Kazakhstan? The standard residency threshold follows the common international 183-day rule, though those on the new permanent residence track should confirm their specific status implications given the 2026 procedural overhaul.
What is the average cost of rent and living in Kazakhstan? A genuinely comfortable single-person budget in Almaty or Astana runs 350,000-400,000 KZT/month, covering a one-bedroom rental, food, transport, and entertainment.
How many years of residence are required for citizenship or permanent residency in Kazakhstan? Kazakhstan naturalization generally builds on permanent residence status and requires demonstrated integration, though the country does not broadly recognize dual citizenship for most applicants, requiring renunciation of prior nationality in most cases.
Cover photo by Ethan Brooke on Pexels.
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