--- title: "Moving to Kazakhstan 2026: visas, requirements and tax" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Snow peaks reflected in Big Almaty Lake, Ile-Alatau National Park # Moving to Kazakhstan 11 ways to move to Kazakhstan in our guide: 1 talent scheme, 1 nomad / remote-work visa, 1 investor route, 2 business / startup routes, 3 work visas, 1 student visa, 2 spouse visas. Remote workers: [NeoNomad B12-1](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/neo-nomad-b12-1/), $3,000+ a month. Smallest investment: [Investor visa A6 · $300k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/investor-visa-a6/), $300k+. Checked against official sources on 12 October 2026. **Nomad visa: income needed:** **$3,000+ a month** NeoNomad B12-1 **Smallest investment needed:** **$300k+** Investor visa A6 · $300k **Longest first stay:** **10 years** Investor visa A6 · $300k Kazakhstan offers a few clear immigration routes for foreign investors, workers and students. Each route has its own conditions, and the records here describe the main options without covering every detail. Investors ready to commit to the economy Professionals with a confirmed job offer Students enrolled at a recognised institution People who prefer a structured application process ## Talent schemes · 1 ### [In-demand professions B9-1](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/b9-1-digital-nomad-visa/) **First stay:** 1 yr [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/b9-1-digital-nomad-visa/) ## Nomad / Remote work · 1 ### [NeoNomad B12-1](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/neo-nomad-b12-1/) **Income needed:** $3,000+ a month Stay 1 yr, renewable Remote work only Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/neo-nomad-b12-1/) ## Investing · 1 ### [Investor visa A6 · $300k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/investor-visa-a6/) **Investment needed:** $300k+ Stay 10 yrs [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/investor-visa-a6/) ## Business / Startup · 2 ### [Business immigrant C5](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/business-immigrant-c5/) Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/business-immigrant-c5/) ### [Self-employment C4](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/work-visa-c4/) Can work: yes [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/work-visa-c4/) ## Work · 3 ### [Work visa C3](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/work-visa-c3/) **First stay:** 3 yrs [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/work-visa-c3/) ### [Astana Hub / AIFC work visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/work-visa-c3-astana-hub-aifc/) **First stay:** 5 yrs [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/work-visa-c3-astana-hub-aifc/) ### [Investor visa A5](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/investor-visa-a5/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/investor-visa-a5/) ## Student · 1 ### [Student visa C9](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/student-visa-c9/) **First stay:** 1 yr Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/student-visa-c9/) ## Spouse visas · 2 For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident. ### [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/spouse-of-citizen/) **First stay:** 3 yrs Can work: yes Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/spouse-of-citizen/) ### [Spouse of a permanent resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) **First stay:** 1 yr Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) **Free movement and visa-free stays · 1** - **[Eurasian Union free movement](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/free-movement-eaeu/)** · Lets you live here Open to 4 passports: [Armenia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/armenia/), [Belarus](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/belarus/), [Kyrgyzstan](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/kyrgyzstan/), [Russia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/russia/). [Where each passport can live without a visa →](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/) ## Tax The records do not cover tax. Standard rules ### [Personal income tax and residency (Tax Code 2026)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/tax/#tax-kz-ordinary-personal-income-tax) 10% tax **Details** - Who: Resident: permanent residence (presence of at least 183 calendar days Residents are taxed on worldwide income, with a progressive rate of 10% on income up to 8,500 times the monthly calculation index (MCI) in a calendar year and 15% on the excess; non-residents are taxed on Kazakhstan-source income only. The new Tax Code applies from 1 January 2026. #### Taxed on Taxable income of an individual for a calendar year (resident: sources in and outside Kazakhstan). #### Who it applies to - Resident: permanent residence (presence of at least 183 calendar days, including arrival and departure days, in any consecutive 12-month period ending in the tax period) or centre of vital interests in Kazakhstan. - Centre of vital interests requires, together: Kazakh citizenship or a residence permit; spouse or close relatives living in Kazakhstan (if any); real estate available for residence in Kazakhstan. #### Exclusions - Non-residents pay tax in Kazakhstan on Kazakhstan-source income only; a double-tax treaty can override resident status. #### Days in the country - At least 183 days in any consecutive 12 months ending in the tax period · Physical presence including days of arrival and departure; for an AIFC investment resident the test is 90 days. - At least 90 days in any consecutive 12 months ending in the tax period · Investment resident of the AIFC under the AIFC Constitutional Law. #### Tax residence Article 222 (resident individual) and Article 221 (taxation of residents and non-residents) of the Tax Code, in force from 1 January 2026. #### Visas A residence permit is one of the cumulative conditions for the centre-of-vital-interests test but visa status alone does not create residency. #### Other taxes Corporate income tax standard rate 20%; VAT standard rate 16% with mandatory VAT registration above a turnover of 10,000 times the MCI; dividends taxed at 5% up to 230,000 MCI and 15% above; private practitioners 9%. Checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/tax/) Special regime ### [Astana Hub participants: corporate tax, VAT and employee income relief](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/tax/#tax-kz-astana-hub-participant-regime) 0% tax **Details** - On: Corporate income from priority ICT activities of a registered Astana Hub participant - Who: Legal entity incorporated in the Astana Hub autonomous cluster fund as a participant Qualifying Astana Hub participants get a 100% reduction of corporate income tax, VAT exemption on qualifying sales and imports, and exclusion of employees' income from social tax; employee income of Astana Hub participants is listed among personal-income exemptions. #### Taxed on Corporate income from priority ICT activities of a registered Astana Hub participant. #### Who it applies to - Legal entity incorporated in the Astana Hub autonomous cluster fund as a participant. - At least 90% of total annual income comes from priority information and communication technology activities. - For goods, the goods meet the own-production criteria. #### Exclusions - Participants of Astana Hub cannot use the general investment tax preferences. - Chapter 82 preferences are stated to be valid until 1 January 2029. #### Tax residence Entity-level regime; individuals' residency follows Article 222. #### Visas Astana Hub staff can obtain C3 work visas for up to 5 years; the tax regime does not itself grant a visa. #### Other taxes VAT exemption on imports applies only to goods on the approved list used exclusively for priority ICT activities. Checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/tax/) Standard rules ### [Corporate income tax 20% and VAT 16%](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/tax/#tax-kz-ordinary-corporate-vat) 20% tax **Details** - On: Taxable income of legal entities - Who: Legal entities and permanent establishments of non-residents Standard corporate income tax rate is 20%; standard VAT rate is 16% from the 2026 Tax Code, with a 10,000 times MCI registration threshold. #### Taxed on Taxable income of legal entities; VAT on taxable turnover and imports. #### Who it applies to - Legal entities and permanent establishments of non-residents. #### Exclusions - Reduced rates apply to agriculture (3%), agricultural cooperatives (6%), social sphere (5% for 2026) and a 25% rate to banks and gambling. #### Visas Tax status is independent of immigration status. #### Other taxes Reduced VAT rates of 5% (2026) and 10% (2027) apply to medicines and medical services. Checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/tax/) Standard rules ### [Kazakhstan: residence test and worldwide taxation of residents](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/tax/#tax-kz-ordinary-worldwide) 10% tax **Details** - On: Worldwide income of residents (Tax Code article 221) - Who: Permanent presence: 183 or more calendar days Individuals present in Kazakhstan at least 183 calendar days in any consecutive 12-month period ending in the tax period, or with their centre of vital interests there, are residents taxed on income from sources in Kazakhstan and abroad. #### Taxed on Worldwide income of residents (Tax Code article 221); non-residents are taxed on Kazakhstan-source income only. Individual income tax is 10% of annual taxable income up to 8,500 times the monthly calculation index (MRP) and 15% on the part above that (article 363). #### Who it applies to - Permanent presence: 183 or more calendar days (arrival and departure days included) in any consecutive 12 months ending in the tax period; 90 days for an AIFC investment resident. - Centre of vital interests (all together): Kazakh citizenship, residence permit or permanent residence; spouse or close relatives living in Kazakhstan, if any; real property available for living in Kazakhstan. #### Exclusions - State-posted staff, diplomats, crew of Kazakh-owned transport on international routes, military and some students, patients and researchers abroad remain resident (article 222 part 4, Kazakh citizens). #### Days in the country - At least 183 days in any consecutive 12-month period ending in the tax period · Permanent presence makes a person resident - At least 90 days in any consecutive 12-month period ending in the tax period · AIFC investment resident #### Tax residence Code in force from 1 January 2026. #### Visas Tax residence follows presence days or centre of vital interests, not visa type; a residence permit counts toward the centre-of-vital-interests test. #### Other taxes Social contributions, VAT and property taxes apply separately; dividends are taxed under a separate 5% and 15% scale (article 363). Checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/tax/) Checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) **Path to permanent residence · 1** - **PR** · Permanent residence permit (holders of investor multiple-entry visa, B8 or in-demand-profession visa) ## Arriving in Kazakhstan: first steps 1. Make sure you have the correct entry visa or invitation before travelling, as the immigration route and entry visa are separate steps. 2. Arrange health cover that meets any requirements for your stay. 3. Register your address with the migration authorities if required for your visa type. 4. Keep copies of your permit, invitation and registration documents with you. 5. Check current rules with the competent authority, as requirements can change. ## Questions people ask ### What special talent visas does Kazakhstan have? Kazakhstan has 1 talent scheme. [In-demand professions B9-1](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/b9-1-digital-nomad-visa/) gives a first stay of 1 year. ### What is the Kazakhstan digital nomad visa income requirement in 2026? Kazakhstan has 1 nomad or remote-work visa. [NeoNomad B12-1](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/neo-nomad-b12-1/) asks for an income of at least $3,000 a month and gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed. ### How much do you need to invest for residency in Kazakhstan? Kazakhstan has 1 investor route. [Investor visa A6 · $300k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/investor-visa-a6/) asks for an investment of at least $300,000 and gives a first stay of 10 years. ### Can I move to Kazakhstan by starting a business? Kazakhstan has 2 business or startup routes. There is also [Business immigrant C5](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/business-immigrant-c5/) and [Self-employment C4](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/work-visa-c4/). ### What work visas does Kazakhstan offer foreigners? Kazakhstan has 3 work visas. [Work visa C3](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/work-visa-c3/) gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. [Astana Hub / AIFC work visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/work-visa-c3-astana-hub-aifc/) gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. There is also [Investor visa A5](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/investor-visa-a5/). ### How do I get a student visa for Kazakhstan? Kazakhstan has 1 student visa. [Student visa C9](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/student-visa-c9/) gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed. ### Can I join my spouse or partner in Kazakhstan? Yes. Kazakhstan has 2 spouse visas. [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/spouse-of-citizen/) gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. [Spouse of a permanent resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/kazakhstan/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed. ## Compare with [🇹🇭 Thailand](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/thailand/) [🇯🇵 Japan](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/) [🇮🇩 Indonesia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/indonesia/) [🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/) [🇸🇬 Singapore](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/) [🇲🇾 Malaysia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malaysia/) [🇻🇳 Vietnam](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/vietnam/) [🇰🇷 South Korea](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.