Updated requirements for obtaining citizenship in Kazakhstan, approved by the Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan, came into force on October 8. According to the new legislation, applicants for citizenship or persons restoring it must demonstrate a basic knowledge of the state language, the basics of the Constitution, and an understanding of the country’s history.
The minimum thresholds are 36 points in the Kazakh language, 9 points in the basics of the Constitution, and 15 points in the history of Kazakhstan. The exam, conducted on a quarterly basis by National Testing Center (NTC), takes two hours and ten minutes with an additional 30 minutes for people with special needs. Of the 100 tests set under three categories, 60 questions relating to the Kazakh language, include 20 listening and 40 reading tasks; the Constitution section covers 15 issues, and the history of Kazakhstan, 25.
Applicants must achieve a score of at least 60 points to pass the exam, and if successful, will be issued with an electronic certificate valid for two years.
The prerequisites for new requirements for knowledge of the state language and the history of Kazakhstan for obtaining citizenship relate to the government’s efforts to strengthen national identity, dictated by the need to integrate new citizens into society and the growing public demand for support of the Kazakh language.
The amendments are based on the practices of other countries, including Germany, Canada, and Turkey. For example, Germany requires applicants for citizenship to have a high level of German language proficiency and respect for German cultural traditions. In Canada, applicants must understand the history and responsibilities of citizenship and take an English or French language test, depending on the province. Similarly, Turkey requires applicants to demonstrate a knowledge of the Turkish language.
