Foreign Diploma Recognition (Nostrification) in Kazakhstan: When You Need It, Where to Apply, Documents and Timelines

Most foreign specialists hired in Kazakhstan on a work permit do not need their diploma recognised (nostrified). The permit application includes a notarised copy of the diploma with an apostille or legalisation and a translation into Kazakh or Russian. Recognition is needed when the law links the right to practise a profession to the diploma: medicine, pharmacy and teaching, as well as further study and academic work. The service is provided by the National Center for Higher Education Development and takes 8 working days.

Recognition, nostrification, apostille: what is the difference

These terms are often mixed up.

• An apostille or legalisation confirms that the document was issued by a genuine authority and that the signatures are authentic. It concerns the form of the document, not its content.
• A notarised translation makes the document readable for a Kazakh authority.
• Recognition is a decision by the authorised organisation that a foreign education document has legal force in Kazakhstan. "Nostrification" historically meant the same procedure; the current rules for higher education use the term "recognition".

For a work permit, the first two steps are usually enough. Recognition is a separate public service with a separate result: a certificate or order of recognition.

When recognition is needed and when it is not

On work permits specifically: Article 35(3) of the Law "On Population Migration" requires a foreign worker to have the education, qualification and experience needed for the job. Rules No. 279 (paragraph 16-1) tie the permit to education and experience meeting qualification requirements, and the akimat may verify the apostille or legalisation stamp through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (paragraph 27-1). That is why the quality of the copy and translation matters more here than recognition. The employer's full package is covered in our article on the C3 work visa and work permit.

Who carries out recognition

Recognition of higher and postgraduate education documents is governed by the Rules approved by Order No. 268 of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of 12 June 2023. They were amended in 2025 and again by an order of 12 August 2026 that took effect on 30 August 2026.

• Service provider: the National Center for Higher Education Development, a state enterprise under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
• Where to apply: through the Public Service Centre (Government for Citizens State Corporation) or electronically via egov.kz, including the eGov Mobile app.
• Reference information: the website of ENIC-Kazakhstan, the national information centre on recognition.

Technical, vocational and post-secondary education documents are recognised under separate rules of the Ministry of Education (Order No. 230 of 28 July 2023).

Documents

Under Rules No. 268 as amended in 2026:

1. application;
2. identity document (or its digital version); for a representative, a notarised power of attorney;
3. copy of the diploma with its supplement, legalised or apostilled, with a notarised translation into Kazakh or Russian if it is in a foreign language; seals and stamps must be translated too;
4. for non-residents, a copy of the identity document with a notarised translation;
5. proof of payment for the service.

If Kazakhstan and the issuing country have a treaty abolishing legalisation and apostille, a copy with a notarised translation is enough. The translation is certified by a notary in Kazakhstan or by a Kazakh diplomatic mission in the issuing country.

For medical, pharmaceutical and teaching diplomas obtained in full-time study, the applicant must confirm actual attendance at the place where the programme was delivered. The exception is universities ranked in the top 1,000 of international rankings.

Timelines

• Standard term: 8 working days.
• If the diploma is not in a foreign database, an official query is sent to the authorised body of the issuing country to confirm the institution's right to provide education.
• If there is no reply within 20 working days, a reasoned refusal is issued within 2 working days.
• If a reply arrives, the recognition order or a reasoned refusal is issued within 2 working days.

When applying online, progress is visible in your personal account.

Doctors and teachers: what changed in 2026

Since 30 August 2026, checks of medical and pharmaceutical documents (including internship) are stricter. The authenticity of documents without an apostille or legalisation, the institution's right to provide education at the time of issue and the level of education are verified, with experts recommended by the health authority. Diploma recognition is not the only step towards working as a doctor: admission to medical practice is also governed by healthcare legislation, so check those requirements early.

Apostille: Turkey, China and other countries

• Turkey is a party to the Hague Convention, so diplomas take an apostille.
• China has been a party since 7 November 2023; documents issued after that date take an apostille instead of consular legalisation.
• Countries outside the Convention require consular legalisation.

Procedure, translations and typical mistakes are covered in our article on apostille and translation of documents from Turkey and China.

Preparing the documents step by step

1. Find the original diploma with its supplement (transcript). Many authorities will not accept a package without the supplement.
2. Get an apostille in the issuing country from the body authorised to issue it there. If the country is not a party to the Hague Convention, go through consular legalisation.
3. Order a translation into Kazakh or Russian including seals, stamps and the apostille text, and have it certified by a notary in Kazakhstan or at a Kazakh diplomatic mission.
4. Make notarised copies in the quantity you need: for the permit, the visa, recognition and your own records.
5. Decide whether recognition is needed. If the document is only for a foreign labour permit for an ordinary position, you can stop here. For medicine, pharmacy, teaching and study, apply for recognition.
6. Submit the application through the Public Service Centre or egov.kz and track the status in your personal account.

Timelines and cost

Recognition itself takes 8 working days under the Rules, but the realistic planning horizon is wider: the apostille and translation in the issuing country usually add several weeks, and a foreign query can add up to 20 working days. The service is paid; check the current fee on egov.kz at the time of application. Costs for the apostille, translation and notary depend on the country and the number of pages.

Common mistakes

• Apostille on a copy instead of the original, or on a diploma without its supplement: the package may be rejected.
• Translation without seals and stamps. The Rules expressly require translating them.
• Recognition "just in case" for an ordinary permit-based role: time is lost when only a proper copy was needed.
• Starting late for doctors and teachers. Recognition with expert assessment and a possible foreign query can take more than a month.
• Name spelling mismatches between the diploma, passport and translation, a frequent source of questions.

Where to start

Decide what the document is for: a work permit, a regulated profession or study. Then check whether the diploma has an apostille and order a notarised translation including seals. If the employer is applying for a foreign labour permit, start with the education documents, which are the longest part of the preparation.

Visa Navigator helps prepare education documents for the work permit and C3 visa: we check the apostille, arrange translation and tell you whether recognition is needed in your case. The recognition decision is made by the authorised organisation. More on the Work Permit 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.