Kazakhstan changes migration policy to attract specialists and investors

Kazakhstan is updating its migration policy, prioritizing the attraction of highly qualified specialists and investors. This was announced today by Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva, reports Todayinfo.kz. According to the minister, new rules for accepting foreign citizens for permanent residence came into force on April 10, 2026. These changes are aimed at improving the quality of the country's human capital and attracting in-demand specialists. Kazakhstan maintains a simplified visa regime for investors. They are issued special visas for managers participating in investment projects and their family members. This allows them to freely enter the country's economy, do business, and create new jobs. In addition, special attention is paid to attracting holders of scarce professions. According to Aida Balayeva, special visas and categories granting permanent residence are provided for such in-demand professions as neurosurgeons, hematologists, pharmaceutical engineer-technologists, bacteriologists, and graphic animation specialists. In total, 51 professions are included in the list, and it is constantly updated. This list changes depending on the needs of the country's economy. The next update will be carried out by the end of the year within the framework of the migration policy concept until 2030. New types of visas are also being introduced. According to the minister, new visa categories for highly qualified specialists and digital nomads will attract global talents and modern technologies. In addition, a mechanism for simplified entry of foreign citizens based on proposals from state bodies is provided. According to official information, these measures are aimed at forming an open and modern migration policy of Kazakhstan while maintaining a balance of interests of the state, business, and society. It is worth noting that on April 20, the head of government Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting of the interdepartmental commission on crime prevention, which considered the migration situation in the country and measures to regulate it.