Kazakhstan updates migration policy to attract investors and specialists

Kazakhstan continues to improve its migration policy to ensure sustainable socio-economic development of the country. This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva, reports Todayinfo.kz. As Aida Balayeva noted, from April 10, 2026, additional measures have been introduced in the country to regulate the admission of foreign citizens for permanent residence. At the same time, Kazakhstan maintains a simplified entry procedure for investors and specialists in demand on the labor market, since improving the quality of human capital remains one of the key priorities. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, separate visa categories are provided for investors, which are issued to heads and participants of investment projects, as well as their family members. These measures allow investors to enter the country's economy in a simplified manner, develop businesses, and create new jobs. Also, special visa categories, including the possibility of obtaining permanent residence, are provided for foreign citizens with in-demand professions. These include neurosurgeons, hematologists, pharmaceutical process engineers, bacteriologists, graphic animation technicians, and other specialists. In total, the list includes 51 professions, but the list is not fixed. It is regularly updated depending on the needs of the economy and in coordination with interested state bodies. The next update is envisaged within the framework of the implementation of the Migration Policy Concept until 2030 and will be carried out by the end of this year. As Aida Balayeva noted, this approach allows for a prompt response to changes in the economy and ensures the attraction of truly sought-after specialists. In addition, new visa regimes are being introduced for highly qualified specialists and digital nomads, which contributes to attracting global talents and modern technologies. The implementation of these measures is expected to facilitate the inflow of investments, the development of new technologies, and the filling of personnel shortages in the economy. Also, foreign citizens will be able to enter Kazakhstan under a simplified procedure based on a reasoned request from the authorized sectoral state body. As the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized, all decisions taken are aimed at ensuring a balance of interests of the state, business, and society. Kazakhstan is consistently forming a modern, open, and responsible migration policy, creating conditions for attracting human capital and sustainable development of the country.