Permanent Residence Visa for In-Demand Professions

The Permanent Residence Visa for In-Demand Professions (visa category B9) allows foreign professionals with qualifications in designated high-demand fields to obtain permanent residence in Kazakhstan through a simplified procedure. The program targets highly qualified specialists in healthcare, natural sciences, engineering, digital development and IT, and creative industries. A key advantage is that qualifying applicants are fully exempt from the standard financial solvency requirements -- no bank statements or income documentation are needed. Qualification rests on professional merit, established by a diploma matching the approved list plus a petition from the relevant sectoral ministry, rather than on a job offer or a tie to a specific employer.

This exemption became decisive in 2026. Under a permanent-residence pilot project launched in February 2026 (in force until 31 December 2026), general applicants must now pass a Kazakh-language test (KAZTEST), clear a criteria-based "immigration potential" points assessment, and hold at least 1,320 MCI (about KZT 5.7 million / USD 12,000) in a bank account, with annual re-confirmation for five years. Holders of qualifying in-demand professions are explicitly exempt from the language test, the points system, and the bank-balance requirement -- alongside Digital Nomad Residency applicants and children under 18 -- qualifying instead via a petition from the relevant sectoral ministry. A further amendment effective 12 June 2026 tightened documentation and verification for general applicants while expediting processing for qualified professionals and retaining the in-demand exemption. This makes the in-demand route markedly more attractive than the standard pathway under the new rules.

• Educational diploma corresponding to one of the qualifying in-demand professions on the approved list (51 professions as of 2026)
• Qualifications must meet the National Classifier requirements including profession, skill level, specialisation, and qualification level
• Petition from the relevant sectoral ministry confirming the applicant's profession is on the in-demand list (this replaces the KAZTEST language test and points assessment required of general applicants)
• Criminal record certificate from country of citizenship (valid 180 days)
• Medical examination certificate (form 028/u) confirming absence of diseases from the prohibited list
• No minimum income, bank-balance, or financial solvency requirement

B9 visa (at embassy abroad):

• Visa application form with photograph (3.5 x 4.5 cm)
• Valid passport (at least 3 months beyond requested visa expiry, 2+ blank pages)
• Copy of educational diploma matching the in-demand professions list
• Consular fee payment (USD 80 single-entry, USD 200 multiple-entry)

Permanent residence permit (in Kazakhstan):

• Application form
• Valid passport (at least 180 days remaining validity)
• Petition from the relevant sectoral ministry confirming the in-demand profession
• Criminal record certificate (not older than 180 days)
• Medical examination certificate (form 028/u)
• Notarised accommodation contract (minimum 180 calendar days)
• One photograph (35 x 45 mm)
• State fee payment
• Fingerprinting (dactyloscopy) certificate

The B9 visa is issued as a single-entry visa for up to 90 days, or as a multiple-entry visa for up to 90 days (issued once per year). The visa can be extended for up to 30 calendar days after submitting a permanent residence permit application. The permanent residence permit itself is valid for up to 10 years or the validity of the applicant's passport, whichever is shorter. The permit is renewable with updated documentation.

Permanent residence permit holders may sponsor their spouse and minor children for their own permanent residence permits. Family members must submit standard documentation including passport, criminal record certificate, medical examination, and accommodation proof. Children aged 14-18 must provide notarised consent for permanent residence.

Permanent residents who reside in Kazakhstan for 183 or more days per calendar year are considered tax residents, subject to a flat 10% individual income tax on worldwide income. Kazakhstan has double taxation treaties with over 50 countries.

1. Apply for a B9 visa at a Kazakhstan embassy or consulate abroad, submitting the educational diploma matching the in-demand professions list (processing takes up to 5 working days)
2. Enter Kazakhstan and register with migration police within 5 calendar days of arrival
3. Obtain a petition from the relevant sectoral ministry in your professional field
4. Submit the permanent residence permit application to the territorial migration police or a "Government for Citizens" office (in person or online via egov.kz)
5. Receive a decision within 45 calendar days (standard) or 7 working days (expedited processing)
6. Collect the foreigner's residence permit card upon approval

Citizens of countries with visa-free agreements with Kazakhstan may skip the B9 visa and apply directly for the permanent residence permit upon arrival. Note that under the 2026 pilot, general permanent-residence applications were temporarily restricted to seven designated regions (excluding Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent).

The approved list (Order No. 49) currently covers 51 professions across these sectors:

• Healthcare: Neurosurgeon, Haematologist, Oncologist, Neonatologist, Endocrinologist, Anaesthesiologist-Resuscitator, Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, Paediatrician, Radiology Diagnostician
• Natural Sciences and Engineering: Research Engineer (inorganic/organic substances), Pharmaceutical Process Engineer, Aviation Engineer, Space System Engineer, Laser Equipment Engineer, Bacteriologist
• Digital Development and IT: Software Architect, Software Developer, Mobile Application Developer, Game Developer, AI Engineer, Big Data Specialist, Cybersecurity Specialist
• Creative Industries: Graphic Designer, Illustrator, Sound Engineer, Video Editor
• Education: added as a new category by the 26 May 2026 amendment

An order of 26 May 2026 (effective 12 June 2026, with certain provisions effective 12 July 2026) amended Order No. 49: it added the Education category above and changed how the list is built -- the list is now formed from analysis of the "Foreign Labour Force" automated system, the medium-term workforce-needs forecast, and vacancies posted on the state "Electronic Labour Exchange" digital portal (the portal-based formation took effect 12 July 2026). The total number of qualifying professions remains 51.

Separately, in May 2026 the Ministry of Labour publicly announced plans to expand the list further from 51 to 174 specialisms -- adding occupations in the nuclear industry, energy, biotechnology, genomic medicine, water management, and healthcare -- but as of this update that expansion remains an announced plan and is not yet in force.

On 25 April 2026, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree (publicly unveiled in early May 2026) launching a broader overhaul of Kazakhstan's migration policy. The reform introduces a new "Altyn" (Golden) Visa framework that is expected to consolidate or supersede the current B9 in-demand professions visa, with three new categories:

• Business visa — for investors, entrepreneurs, and corporate board members
• Skilled worker visa — for scientists, medical professionals, cultural figures, and graduates of leading international universities (with automatic recognition of diplomas from leading foreign universities)
• Temporary worker visa — for specialists involved in government-approved investment projects

IT professionals will be able to have their visa processed in approximately one month. Golden Visa holders will benefit from tax exemptions on personal income, property, and land taxes, plus access to government services comparable to Kazakh citizens. A new unified digital platform, QazETA, will allow remote application submission via a "one-stop-shop" system, including an e-Residency module. The government has been instructed to complete the reforms by the end of 2026; the existing B9 framework described above remains in effect until implementing legislation is issued. As of mid-2026, the only confirmed change in force from the wider package is a set of new migration registration and notification rules effective 1 July 2026.

• The educational diploma must specifically match the professions on the approved list -- closely related but non-listed qualifications do not qualify
• The permanent residence permit may be revoked if the holder does not work in their specified profession for at least 183 calendar days within any 12-month period
• Holders who reside outside Kazakhstan continuously for more than 6 months without notifying migration police may have their permit revoked
• All foreign-language documents must be officially translated into Kazakh or Russian and notarised
• The B9 visa cannot be obtained by changing from a C3 work visa within Kazakhstan; applicants must exit and apply at a consulate abroad