Kazakhstan: Second Digital Nomad Visa Offering Permanent Residency Introduced

• Eligibility. In-demand professionals include many information technology specialists, among others. To be eligible for the visa, applicants must submit an application on the government website (Astana Hub) or must obtain authorization from a government agency in Kazakhstan’s information technology sector.
• Validity. Foreign nationals under this visa can stay up to one year each visit, with an overall duration of stay as allowed under the granted visa.
• Application details.
  • Single-entry visa applications can be filed online on the Astana Hub and do not require a consular visit.
  • Multiple-entry visas, also valid for up to one year, can be obtained through the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Kazakhstan after entry under a single-entry visa.
• Dependents. Dependents cannot be sponsored under this visa.
• Local work. Local work is not allowed under this visa.

This new category provides a permanent residency pathway for remote workers, whereas the other Digital Nomad Visa in Kazakhstan is less limited in eligibility criteria, but does not offer a permanent residency pathway.

• Continuing trend. Although digital nomad visas and permits are not being introduced as rapidly as when the trend first started, we still see such tailored digital nomad statuses being introduced over the past months, with more in the pipeline.

• Remote work visa warning. In countries where remote work is unregulated, workers and employers may unknowingly put themselves at risk of noncompliance with many aspects of the law, exposing them to possible fines or other penalties, depending on the country. Importantly, noncompliance with regulations could result in employers losing their rights to hire foreign labor. Additionally, this type of work arrangement may have employment or tax law impacts. It will become increasingly important as such policies are developed (and in many countries where remote work is unregulated) for employers to analyze strategies and assess risks associated with implementing and/or continuing remote work policies with a trusted immigration partner.

Remote work and non-traditional non-sponsored statuses remain of high interest to corporate and public stakeholders globally as talent shortages affect employers worldwide. Fragomen will report on related developments.