Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population has drafted an amendment that would increase the number of professions eligible for permanent‑residence permits from 51 to 174. The draft order was posted on the Open NPA portal on 21 September, with a public comment period running until 6 October.
Expanded professions list
The ministry says the new list is built around the needs of the national economy and its priority sectors. Reported categories include:
- Medicine (e.g., neurosurgeons)
- Engineering and construction
- Digital technology (software developers, cloud‑computing specialists, etc.)
- Energy and transport
- Agriculture
- Education
- Creative fields such as video editing
The full list has not yet been published on the portal; the ministry indicated that only the main content of draft regulations is posted there.
How the “professions” route works
- Visa link – A 2024 amendment to the Law on Migration introduced a visa for people in in‑demand professions. Holders of that visa may apply for a permanent‑residence permit.
- Financial solvency exemption – Under Article 49 of the Law on Migration, applicants in the qualified professions are not required to prove financial solvency.
- Simplified procedure – The Interior Ministry’s rules for residence permits label this a “simplified procedure.” Applicants must submit a petition from the relevant sectoral government body.
- Petition requirements – The petition must name the applicant’s occupation group in Kazakhstan’s National Classifier of Occupations and confirm that the applicant meets the classifier’s standards for profession, skill level, diploma, work experience and qualification.
- Work‑time condition – A permit obtained through the professions list is cancelled if the holder has not worked in the listed profession for at least 183 days within any 12‑month period after issuance.
Current usage of the route
- The ministry’s draft provides no estimate of how many foreign specialists will be covered by the expanded list.
- As of 1 March 2026, the Interior Ministry counted 241 000 foreigners with permanent residence in Kazakhstan, though the share obtained via the professions route is unknown.
Digital‑nomad pilot (IT specialists)
- The Digital Nomad Residency pilot, administered by Astana Hub and the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, allows foreign IT specialists to apply for the in‑demand‑profession visa and then for permanent residence.
- By August 2026, 250 IT specialists had received permanent‑residence permits through the pilot.
- The pilot had received 1 517 applications from 71 countries, issuing 1 069 petitions across the Digital Nomad Residency and a related Digital Nomad Visa program.
- Petitions are not guarantees; final approval rests with state authorities.
Related developments
- Network School opened in Astana on 2 September 2026, providing a community for technology founders and remote workers. The campus is located on the fifth floor of Astana Hub and benefits from an expedited‑visa arrangement under a five‑year memorandum of understanding with its founder, Balaji Srinivasan.
- Presidential Decree No. 1242 (25 April 2026) mandates reforms to the investment climate and the attraction of qualified foreign specialists, setting a deadline of the end of 2026. The decree consolidates visas into three categories, including a “qualified worker” visa that covers the professions list.
- The decree also introduces an Altyn (Golden) Visa for participants in the Astana International Financial Center’s investment‑tax‑residency program. Holders and their families would be exempt from individual income tax, property tax and land tax. A draft amendment to the Tax Code proposes to treat Altyn‑Visa income (and that of family members) as non‑taxable, both for residents and non‑residents. Public discussion on the tax amendment ends on 25 September 2026.
Practical considerations for applicants
- Petition – Secure a petition from the relevant sectoral authority confirming occupation classification and qualifications.
- Work continuity – Plan to remain employed in the qualifying profession for at least 183 days per year to avoid permit cancellation.
- Financial proof – No separate proof of financial solvency is required for the professions route.
- Timeline – Once the draft order is adopted, the expanded list will replace the current 51‑profession list; until then, only the existing professions qualify.
The expansion aims to address specialist shortages in key sectors of Kazakhstan’s economy and to streamline the path to permanent residence for foreign experts.
Source article: www.imidaily.com
