In January 2025, Kazakhstan launched the Digital Nomad Residency program, aimed at simplifying the process of obtaining a residence permit for foreign IT specialists. Acsour experts reviewed the goals of the new program and spoke about its importance for Kazakhstan.
Project goals
Kazakhstan’s new Digital Nomad Residency program was launched in January 2025: the pilot project is aimed at attracting highly qualified personnel to the information technology sector.
Experts note that the program, which ensures the influx of "digital nomads", contributes to the development of Kazakhstan as a regional technology hub and an exporter of IT services.
Moreover, the launch of the program to attract global IT talent is also intended to strengthen international ties and establish knowledge transfer to local personnel and the development of innovative entrepreneurship.
Digital Nomad Residency: the essence and stages of participation
The Digital Nomad Residency program offers a clear mechanism for obtaining a residence permit for IT specialists through three key stages. It is important to note that the main part of the residence permit registration takes place remotely: the applicant can obtain preliminary permission for a residence permit online without coming to Kazakhstan.
The program includes the following stages of participation:
Receiving an application from an industry body. A foreign specialist must first obtain an individual identification number and an electronic digital signature through the Embassy of Kazakhstan, and then submit an application on the AstanaHub portal. A package of documents is attached to the application: a copy of the passport, resume, portfolio, motivation letter, certificate of no criminal record and a photograph of the established form.
The Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry reviews the documents and issues an electronic application confirming the applicant’s qualifications as an IT specialist.
Preliminary approval of a residence permit. Based on the application, the applicant remotely submits an application for a permanent residence permit in Kazakhstan through the eGov. kz portal, attaching all the required documents.
Following the review, a notification of refusal or preliminary approval of a residence permit in a simplified manner is issued.
If approved, the applicant receives a preliminary permit valid for 30 calendar days. During this period, he/she must arrive in Kazakhstan and personally provide the following to the migration service authorities:
Obtaining a residence permit. At the final stage, a foreign specialist applies to the migration police department in Kazakhstan, where he/she provides additional original documents and, based on the results of the state service, receives a residence permit for a period of 10 years.
The program provides IT specialists with a simplified immigration procedure: for example, participants do not need to confirm their financial solvency, nor do they need to be personally present in Kazakhstan at all stages of obtaining a residence permit. These advantages make Kazakhstan one of the most promising countries for the development of "digital nomadism".
Acsour experts also note that the launch of Digital Nomad Residency is a significant step for Kazakhstan towards developing the IT industry, increasing the level of innovation and strengthening international ties.
If the material was useful to you, share the article with colleagues and friends.
Project goals
Kazakhstan’s new Digital Nomad Residency program was launched in January 2025: the pilot project is aimed at attracting highly qualified personnel to the information technology sector.
Experts note that the program, which ensures the influx of "digital nomads", contributes to the development of Kazakhstan as a regional technology hub and an exporter of IT services.
Moreover, the launch of the program to attract global IT talent is also intended to strengthen international ties and establish knowledge transfer to local personnel and the development of innovative entrepreneurship.
Digital Nomad Residency: the essence and stages of participation
The Digital Nomad Residency program offers a clear mechanism for obtaining a residence permit for IT specialists through three key stages. It is important to note that the main part of the residence permit registration takes place remotely: the applicant can obtain preliminary permission for a residence permit online without coming to Kazakhstan.
The program includes the following stages of participation:
Receiving an application from an industry body. A foreign specialist must first obtain an individual identification number and an electronic digital signature through the Embassy of Kazakhstan, and then submit an application on the AstanaHub portal. A package of documents is attached to the application: a copy of the passport, resume, portfolio, motivation letter, certificate of no criminal record and a photograph of the established form.
The Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry reviews the documents and issues an electronic application confirming the applicant’s qualifications as an IT specialist.
Preliminary approval of a residence permit. Based on the application, the applicant remotely submits an application for a permanent residence permit in Kazakhstan through the eGov. kz portal, attaching all the required documents.
Following the review, a notification of refusal or preliminary approval of a residence permit in a simplified manner is issued.
If approved, the applicant receives a preliminary permit valid for 30 calendar days. During this period, he/she must arrive in Kazakhstan and personally provide the following to the migration service authorities:
- biometric data (fingerprinting)
- a medical certificate of the established form
- a document confirming the availability of housing (for example, a lease agreement)
Obtaining a residence permit. At the final stage, a foreign specialist applies to the migration police department in Kazakhstan, where he/she provides additional original documents and, based on the results of the state service, receives a residence permit for a period of 10 years.
The program provides IT specialists with a simplified immigration procedure: for example, participants do not need to confirm their financial solvency, nor do they need to be personally present in Kazakhstan at all stages of obtaining a residence permit. These advantages make Kazakhstan one of the most promising countries for the development of "digital nomadism".
Acsour experts also note that the launch of Digital Nomad Residency is a significant step for Kazakhstan towards developing the IT industry, increasing the level of innovation and strengthening international ties.
If the material was useful to you, share the article with colleagues and friends.
