Emigration to Kazakhstan from Russia in 2026: how to move, get a residence permit and how much life costs

Kazakhstan remains one of the most understandable destinations for moving from Russia. Geographical proximity, the absence of a visa for Russians, the Russian language in everyday life, the common history and membership of both countries in the EAEU make adaptation much easier than in many other countries.

But there's an important caveat: to come to Kazakhstan without a visa and move there for permanent residence - not the same thing. For long-term residence, appropriate migration documents will be required, and separate rules apply for work, business or obtaining a residence permit.

We understand how emigration to Kazakhstan is arranged in 2026, what documents Russians need, how much life costs and what method of relocation to choose.

Why Kazakhstan?

The main advantage of Kazakhstan for Russians is a low threshold for adaptation.

There is no need to apply for a visa before traveling, there is a visa-free regime between the countries, and the Russian language is widely used in cities, services, business and public communications. In addition, Russia and Kazakhstan are members of the EAEU, so labor migration is much easier for Russian citizens than for citizens of many other countries.

The largest destinations for relocation – Almaty and Astana.

Almaty is chosen for a milder climate, mountains, developed infrastructure, a large number of companies, restaurants, services and active urban life. Astana is more suitable for those who focus on the public sector, construction, finance, corporate career and a more modern business environment.

There are other options: Shymkent, Karaganda, Pavlodar, Aktobe, Kostanay and other cities. They are usually cheaper than Almaty, but the labor market and the number of international companies there are smaller.

Main advantages

Simple logistics. From Russia to Kazakhstan can be reached by plane, train or car.

Visa-free entry. No visa is required for Russian citizens. Long-term residence is regulated separately. Official information indicates that the total length of stay for visa-free foreigners is limited by established migration rules; for Russians, the Russian consulate specifies 90 days with the possibility of extending the stay.

Russian. Full knowledge of Kazakh is not necessary for everyday life in Almaty or Astana, although knowledge of the state language becomes an advantage in some areas.

EEU. For Russians, there is no need to obtain a classic work permit as citizens of countries outside the EAEU: labor relations are regulated by the rules of the Union, and the relevant migration documents are used for registration of stay.

A relatively clear banking and digital infrastructure. Kazakhstan is actively developing electronic state services, banking applications and non-cash payments.

Deficiencies

Kazakhstan is not an exceptionally cheap country. This is especially true of Almaty.

Renting a good apartment in the center can be expensive, and imported goods, machinery, cars and some services will cost much more than the usual Russian prices.

There's a climate factor. Almaty is a milder option, but the city faces air pollution in winter. Astana has a very cold winter and strong wind.

In addition, the labor market is smaller than the Russian one, and salaries in many specialties can be lower than in Moscow or St. Petersburg.

Who Kazakhstan suits: Those who want to move relatively quickly, keep the usual language of communication and at the same time get a life outside Russia; specialists, entrepreneurs, remote workers and families.

Who should consider other countries: Those who are looking for an exceptionally cheap life, want to get citizenship quickly or count on a large international labor market.

How to Move: All Legal Ways

Visa-free entry

For Russians, this is the easiest way to get to Kazakhstan: a visa is not required in advance.

But the visa-free regime is intended for stay within the established terms, and not for indefinite stay.

If you are staying for a few weeks, a tourist or private visit is usually easy. If the goal is work, study, business or permanent life, you need to determine the appropriate status in advance.

Since July 1, 2026, Kazakhstan has updated rules for the registration of immigrants, so old instructions from the Internet may no longer be relevant.

Work.

For Russians, working in Kazakhstan is one of the most convenient options for long-term relocation.

The reason is EAEU. Citizens of the Member States shall have more free access to the labour market of the Member States than nationals of third States.

If you find an employer, then you need to properly formalize labor relations and migration status.

Long-term residence may be required RVD - residence permit. Kazakhstan eGov lists work, study, treatment, family reunification and entrepreneurial activity among the grounds for registration of a TRP.

For Russians, this is one of the most practical routes:

Employer → employment contract → migration documents → RWP → further registration of status if necessary.

Business

It is possible to open a business in Kazakhstan to a foreigner, but the specific procedure depends on the form of business, the citizenship of the entrepreneur and the type of activity.

The entrepreneur will need to deal with the IIN, business registration, tax regime, bank account and reporting.

In 2026, the tax legislation of Kazakhstan was significantly updated, so old articles about the Kazakhstan simplification can be misleading.

For example, for entities that can use a special tax regime on the basis of a simplified declaration, a new procedure is in effect from 2026 and a maximum annual income of up to 600,000 MCI is set, subject to other requirements.

At the same time, in individual regions, rates may vary. For example, in Astana, the rate on the regime based on a simplified declaration in 2026 is set at 3%.

Therefore, it is better for an entrepreneur to first choose the type of activity and tax regime, and only then register a business.

Studying

Admission to Kazakhstan University allows you to arrange a stay on the basis of training.

This option is especially interesting for young people who want to get a local education, gradually adapt and then look for work.

But if the ultimate goal is to stay in the country, it is worthwhile to study in advance the rules for the transition from educational status to employment or other grounds.

Marriage and family

Marriage with a citizen of Kazakhstan can become the basis for registration of the appropriate residence status, but Marriage does not automatically mean citizenship..

Family circumstances are also taken into account when issuing residence permits and citizenship.

Implant

For permanent residence, you need to obtain a permanent residence permit, and then a residence permit document.

The official portal of Kazakhstan indicates that a residence permit is issued to foreigners permanently residing in the country from the age of 16; for children under 16 years of age, a separate residence permit is not required.

To obtain a permanent residence permit, a more serious package of documents will be required than for a short stay. In particular, you need a valid passport with a validity period of more than 180 days at the time of submission of documents.

The standard term for the provision of state services for a permanent residence permit is 45 calendar days after the submission of the full package of documents.

Nationality

For most foreigners, the standard path involves permanent residence in Kazakhstan for at least five years at the time of application.

For those married to a citizen of Kazakhstan, a separate period is provided - three years of marriage.

For citizens of Russia, Belarus and a number of other countries, there are separate regulations and international agreements, so before submitting documents, you need to check your category.

Another important thing: Kazakhstan does not assume a simple scenario of “arrived and retained two citizenships without any formalities”. When obtaining citizenship, it is necessary to take into account the rules on previous citizenship and the specific requirements for the applicant.

What documents are required

For an ordinary trip, a valid identity document in accordance with the rules of crossing the border is enough for a Russian.

But for the move, the package is much wider.

It is worth preparing in advance:

• passport;
• birth certificate;
• marriage certificate;
• birth certificates of children;
• diplomas and their annexes;
• employment documents;
• certificates of non-conviction – if they are required for a specific procedure;
• documents confirming the financial position;
• medical records;
• photographs;
• Notarial translations, if required;
• documents for housing or a lease agreement;
• documents of the employer or business.

For registration of permanent residence, the official list includes an application form, passport and other documents provided for by the rules.

Iin

One of the most important things in Kazakhstan is IIN, individual identification number.

It is needed for many operations: banking, tax and government.

From January 1, 2026, Kazakh diplomatic institutions abroad stopped issuing IINs to foreigners. It can be obtained already on the territory of Kazakhstan through authorized bodies; at the same time, there is an eResidency program that allows foreigners to obtain digital identity and IIN online as part of a pilot project.

For temporary foreigners, eGov also provides a separate service for the formation of IIN through the PSC.

Therefore, it is not worth counting on the fact that IIN will definitely be able to get in Russia in 2026.

How much does it cost to move and live

Kazakhstan is often seen as a cheap alternative to Russia. That's not quite true anymore.

Rental costs in Almaty and Astana have increased significantly.

According to Numbeo, as of June 2026, the average rent of a one-room apartment in Almaty was about 238,000 tenge outside the centre near 362,000 tenge in the center. Three-bedroom apartment - about 439,000 tenge outside the center and 653,000 in the center.

In Astana, housing is on average cheaper: about 180 000 tenge for a one-bedroom apartment outside the center And 268,000 downtown.

Prices are highly dependent on the area, the state of the apartment and the season, so it is not worth taking these figures as a fixed price.

Nutrition

In Almaty, an inexpensive lunch in a cafe in mid-2026 cost about 6,000 tenge, and a dinner for two in an average restaurant - about 20,500 tenge. If you cook at home, food will be much cheaper than restaurant food.

The approximate budget of one person

To move to Almaty, it is reasonable to focus on approximately:

• lease – 200-400 thousand tenge;
• products - 100-180 thousand;
• transport - 20-50,000;
• communication and Internet – 10-25,000;
• household expenses – 30–70 thousand;
• Entertainment and unexpected expenses – from 30 thousand

It turns out to be roughly 400-750 thousand tenge per month depending on housing and lifestyle.

In Astana, with a modest lifestyle, the budget may be lower.

For a family of three to four people, the cost of housing, food, transport and education can quickly exceed one million tenge per month.

Private kindergartens and international schools will be especially expensive. According to Numbeo, the average cost of a private preschool in Almaty in 2026 was about 180-200 thousand tenge per month, and an international school can cost several million tenge per year.

Work, business and taxes

The labor market of Kazakhstan is relatively small, so it is not worth moving “for good luck” without a financial cushion.

The most promising:

• IT and development;
• finances;
• construction;
• engineering specialties;
• logistics;
• oil and gas industry;
• sales;
• marketing;
• international trade;
• education;
• Project management.

Russians are especially interested in companies that work simultaneously with the Russian, Kazakh and other CIS markets.

Remote work also makes Kazakhstan an attractive option: a person can live in Almaty or Astana while still earning income from international clients. However, in this case, it is necessary to separately deal with tax residency and income declaration.

Taxes.

In 2026, Kazakhstan switched to an updated tax system, so when moving, you should not focus on the old articles of five years ago.

Individual income tax is applied for individuals, and the specific tax burden depends on the status, type of income and other circumstances.

For certain categories of labor immigrants-non-residents, the SRC specifies the rate of IPN of 10%, unless otherwise provided by tax legislation.

There are special tax regimes for entrepreneurs. In 2026, the rules were significantly revised, including the regime based on a simplified declaration.

Therefore, before registering an IP, it is better not just to look for “what tax in Kazakhstan”, but to determine:

who receives income → where the client is located → what type of activity → what status the entrepreneur has → what tax regime applies.

The first steps after moving

The first rule is not to delay immigration formalities.

The receiving party must notify the migration service of the arrival of the alien. Electronic and other legal methods are provided for registration, and the current rules from July 2026 are regulated by the new procedure for registration of immigrants.

What to do in the first week

Resolve the registration issue.

Do not rely on tips from chat rooms five years ago. Find out who is required to submit the notification and what documents are needed in your situation.

Get an IIN.

It will be needed for many financial and government operations.

Get a local SIM card.

The Kazakh number will be needed for banking applications, government services and confirmation of transactions.

Open a bank account.

The possibility and procedure for opening an account depend on the status of a foreigner and the requirements of a particular bank.

Deal with housing.

It is better not to sign a long-term contract on the first day. First, it is worth living for a few weeks and understanding the area, transport and the real condition of the apartment.

Get medical coverage.

Foreigners permanently residing in Kazakhstan participate in the CSHI system on an equal basis with citizens, and some categories of temporary foreigners are also provided for participation in the system.

Check your tax status.

If you continue to receive income from Russia or other countries, it is best to resolve this issue with a tax specialist before you have problems with your returns.

Pitfalls and tips from the displaced

Do not confuse registration and residence permit

You can legally stay in the country for a long time on one basis, but this does not mean obtaining a permanent status.

If the goal is emigration, it is necessary to build a chain in advance:

entry → reason for stay → RRP / other status → permanent residence → residence permit → citizenship if necessary.

Don't just count on Almaty.

Almaty is a comfortable but expensive city.

If you have a remote income, it is worth seeing Astana and other cities. The difference in rent can be significant. In June 2026, the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment outside the center in Astana was about a quarter lower than in Almaty.

Don't rent a flat blind.

Before signing the contract, you need to check:

• documents of the owner;
• Possibility of official residence;
• conditions of registration;
• amount of deposit;
• commission to the agent;
• utility payments;
• term of contract;
• conditions of early termination.

Don't count on Russian banking habits

The banking system of Kazakhstan is independent. It is necessary to consider in advance how you will transfer money between countries and what documents the bank may request.

Collect documents in advance

Even if now it seems that a diploma or marriage certificate is “unlikely necessary”, it is better to take the originals and make electronic copies.

Separately save:

• passport scans;
• birth certificates;
• diplomas;
• employment history;
• marriage certificate;
• documents of children;
• medical records.

Don't forget about medicine.

Tourist status and permanent residence are different situations. The amount of medical care for foreigners depends on their migration status. Permanently residing foreigners participate in the CSHI on an equal basis with citizens subject to the established conditions.

Is it worth moving to Kazakhstan in 2026?

For Russians, Kazakhstan remains one of the easiest options for emigration, especially if the main goal of emigration is to: move quickly without a visa, keep the Russian language and integrate into local life relatively easily.

The country is best suited for those who already have a remote income, a ready-made job offer or their own business.

At the same time, Kazakhstan can no longer be perceived as a country where everything is several times cheaper. Almaty is particularly close to the cost of housing and some services to major cities of Russia.

The optimal strategy is to first come for a short time, choose a city, assess costs and the labor market, and then issue a suitable status.

For most Russians, the logical route looks like this:

come without a visa → solve the issue of registration → get an IIN → find a job / get a business or other basis → issue a TRP → if necessary, move to permanent residence and a residence permit.

And if the ultimate goal is citizenship, you need to take into account the requirements for the duration of permanent residence and the rules regarding previous citizenship. For the standard procedure, Kazakhstan indicates five years of continuous permanent residence, and for those married to a citizen of Kazakhstan - three years.