Permanent residence and the residence permit card in Kazakhstan: who may apply, proof of solvency, documents and timing

Permanent residence — PMZh in Russian — is the status after which a foreigner receives a residence card and lives in Kazakhstan without being tied to an employer, a school or an inviting party. The procedure is set by Article 7 of the Migration Law and the MIA Rules No. 992; the conditions and figures below come from their current edition.

Who may apply

Foreigners temporarily staying in Kazakhstan:

• with a permanent residence visa (categories B8, C1, C11);
• with a multiple-entry investor visa issued at the request of the investment authority;
• with a visa issued under the list of in-demand professions for permanent residence;
• without a visa — citizens of states with a visa-free regime (including the EAEU);
• persons with refugee status;
• ethnic Kazakhs — regardless of visa category.

For the review period an RVP of up to 90 days is issued so that the applicant's stay remains lawful.

Proof of solvency: 1,320 MCI

The key condition (sub-paragraph 4 of Article 49) is proof of solvency in the manner set by the MIA. Under Rules No. 531 this is a certificate from a Kazakhstan resident bank (or a branch of a non-resident bank) confirming funds on the account equal to or exceeding 1,320 MCI on the application date.

The internal affairs bodies, with the applicant's consent, send the bank an enquiry about the certificate's authenticity — a "drawn" statement is caught at the first step.

Exempt: ethnic Kazakhs, former compatriots, persons entitled to simplified citizenship under international treaties and their family members, and foreigners with in-demand professions on the approved list.

Documents

Under the list annexed to Rules No. 992, filed in person at the migration service or the Government for Citizens corporation:

1. application form;
2. passport (copy and original) valid for more than 180 days on the filing date;
3. proof of solvency or a document confirming exemption;
4. a criminal record certificate from the country of citizenship and/or permanent residence;
5. for children aged 14–18 — notarised consent to permanent residence;
6. a notarised agreement or statement by an individual or legal entity providing housing and permanent registration for at least 180 days;
7. medical certificate form 028/у confirming the absence of diseases barring entry;
8. one 35×45 mm photograph;
9. proof of payment of the state duty — 4 MCI;
10. for in-demand professions — a request from the sectoral state body;
11. a fingerprint registration certificate under MIA Rules No. 730.

Solvency, criminal record and medical certificates are valid for no more than 180 days. Foreign documents are filed with a notarised translation and legalisation or apostille unless an international treaty provides otherwise.

The review: 45 days

The public service standard is 45 calendar days from filing a complete package. Within it the migration service opens a file within 2 days; within 7 days queries the bank, checks police and legal statistics records and forwards the materials to the KNB; the KNB clears within 25 days; a conclusion is issued within 10 days after the replies; the applicant is notified within 3 days.

An incomplete package or expired certificates are grounds to refuse acceptance outright, without a substantive review.

After the decision

A positive conclusion is the basis for the residence card and permanent registration at an address. From then on the foreigner may work without a work permit, found companies without a C5 visa and invite family members as an inviting party.

Obligations remain: complying with migration law, reporting a change of address, and deregistering when leaving to live abroad permanently.

Refusal and cancellation

Article 49 sets an exhaustive list of grounds — from missing proof of solvency and an unspent conviction to repeated violations of the law on the legal status of foreigners and forged documents. On cancellation of an issued permit up to 30 calendar days are given to leave, and a new application is accepted no earlier than one year after the reasoned conclusion.

Practical advice

• Open the account and accumulate the amount in advance: the certificate is dated the filing day, and banks check the origin of funds.
• Order the criminal record certificate last — it lives 180 days.
• Check the passport: less than 180 days left — the documents will not be accepted.
• Have the housing agreement notarised for at least 180 days; it doubles as the basis for permanent registration.

Visa Navigator checks whether you have a ground for permanent residence, collects and translates the documents, accompanies the filing with the migration service in Almaty and the issue of the residence card. The decision is taken by the internal affairs bodies in coordination with the KNB; our responsibility is a complete and correct package. See the Permanent residence service page.

This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. Rules and practice change — verify the current requirements as of the date you apply.