Kazakhstan Issues First Residence Permit Under Digital Nomad Residency Program
Kazakhstan has issued its first residence permit under the newly launched Digital Nomad Residency program, a key component of the country’s strategy to attract global talent in digital technologies and artificial intelligence. The Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry announced that the inaugural 10-year residence permit was granted to Pavel Filatov, a Senior Analytics & BI Engineer. According to the ministry, the program simplifies the process for qualified foreign specialists to obtain permanent residency. Since its launch in January 2025, over 270 applications have been submitted by professionals from more than 20 countries, including the United States, Canada, France, Turkey, and several post-Soviet states. Most applicants work in fields such as programming, cybersecurity, UI/UX design, and DevOps. “The Digital Nomad Residency program provides a truly rare opportunity to combine comfortable living conditions with a dynamically developing technology ecosystem,” Filatov said. “The entire process was convenient and modern. For IT specialists around the world, this program really opens up new horizons. Kazakhstan has huge potential for professional growth and international cooperation, and it is a great honor for me to become the first holder of this residency.” The residency program builds upon Kazakhstan’s Digital Nomad Visa, introduced earlier this year along with two other new visa categories: the Neo Nomad Visa and the Residence Visa. Together, these initiatives form part of a broader government effort to attract skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and foreign investors. The Digital Nomad Visa offers long-term stay options for freelancers, entrepreneurs, IT specialists, and startup founders. The Neo Nomad Visa targets remote workers who travel while working, requiring proof of at least $3,000 in monthly income, valid health insurance, and a clean criminal record. The Residence Visa is aimed at foreign professionals in medicine, science, innovation, education, and the creative industries, allowing stays of up to 90 days. The ministry confirmed that the first Digital Nomad Visas, issued without income requirements, have already been granted to IT professionals from Algeria and Botswana. Visa holders are permitted to work with both foreign and Kazakh companies and may apply for residency during the visa’s validity period. At the same time, Kazakhstan has taken additional steps to attract long-term foreign investment. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, new regulations allow foreign nationals who invest at least $300,000 into Kazakh companies or securities listed on local exchanges to apply electronically for an investor visa. This so-called “golden visa” offers a residence permit valid for up to 10 years and is part of Kazakhstan’s plan to build itself into a regional hub for business and innovation.
