Kazakhstan
Republic of Kazakhstan · Capital: Astana
The largest, wealthiest Central-Asian economy, rich in oil, gas and minerals, with a flat 10% income tax and the Astana International Financial Centre drawing global firms.
Migration statistics
Who is arriving
Top source countries and the make-up of recent arrivals into Kazakhstan.
Policy overview
2 visa routes into Kazakhstan
Eligibility, fees, processing times and whether each route leads to permanent residence.
KZ-WP
Employer-sponsored work permit under an annual quota.
Eligibility
- Job offer
- Quota/qualification
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Background
AIFC Professional Visa
TalentKZ-AIFC
Streamlined residence for staff of firms registered in the Astana finance centre.
Eligibility
- Employment with an AIFC participant
Document checklist (8 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Economic context
The numbers behind the move
Pay reflects the local market in Kazakhstan, what you'd typically earn there, not your current salary.
Skill shortages
Sectors actively recruiting from abroad
Where Kazakhstan needs foreign talent most, and what those roles pay.
Oil, gas & mining
Vast hydrocarbon and uranium resources anchor the economy.
Finance & professional services
The AIFC is building a regional financial-services hub.
Recent changes
What's changed lately
Recent policy changes that affect migrants, newest first.
No policy changes recorded in the last 90 days. The intelligence agent is monitoring.
Quality of life
What living there feels like
Almaty
Business & culture hubThe largest city and business capital, framed by mountains, with the best amenities.
- Cost index
- 44
- 1-bed rent
- $500
- Quality
- 70
Astana
Capital & AIFCThe purpose-built capital, home to government and the AIFC finance hub.
- Cost index
- 42
- 1-bed rent
- $480
- Quality
- 68
Shymkent
Southern industryA warm, fast-growing southern industrial city.
- Cost index
- 34
- 1-bed rent
- $320
- Quality
- 64
Safety & climate
The reception you can expect
How welcoming the public and political mood is, how safe it is, and how geopolitically stable the country is right now.
Anti-migrant sentiment
trendActively courting investment and talent; close ties to Russia and China shape geopolitics.
Higher = more hostile public/political climate.
Geopolitical stability
A composite of governance, security and regional-risk signals. Higher means a more predictable environment for settling long term.
Higher = more stable.
Safety
Big cities are reasonably safe with normal urban precautions.
Higher = safer (crime index 40/100).
Where to live
Which Kazakhstan city fits you?
Cities matched to who you are, career, family, retirement, study or remote work. We flag the ones to consider and the ones to approach with care.
Almaty
Mountain-backed metropolis
The largest city and business capital, framed by mountains, with the best amenities.
Astana
Futuristic & windswept
The purpose-built capital, home to government and the AIFC finance hub.
Shymkent
Warm & traditional
A warm, fast-growing southern industrial city.
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