Kazakhstan Introduced A Language Exam For Obtaining A Residence Permit
- 24.02.2026, 18:44
You will have to take an A1 level exam in Kazakh.
Kazakhstan has tightened the rules for issuing permanent residence permits (PRP) and residence permits (RPL). Since February 13, the authorities will assess the "immigration potential" of foreigners wishing to settle in the country. To do this, applicants will have to pass an exam in the Kazakh language at level A1 (elementary knowledge). The test will be conducted remotely and will consist of listening and reading, and will take 70 minutes to complete. It is necessary to get at least 30% of correct answers for each block. A retake is allowed, writes The Moscow Times.
After successfully passing the exam, the applicant will have to fill out a questionnaire on the migration.enbek.kz portal indicating age, education, language skills, work and study experience, professional competencies and health status. An automated system will analyze the answers and award points. To pass this stage, you need to score at least 400. The immigrant will then be subject to an interagency screening and interview. In this case, the applicant must provide a written consent of the state of citizenship to leave for a permanent residence or a "sheet of departure" - in Russia, this was the name of the document confirming removal from the registration at the place of residence, but it is no longer issued. Migration law lawyer Alexander Chichkov noted that so far this clause raises the most questions, as it is unclear what exactly is meant.
"Everyone is concerned about the certificate of departure. No one understands what it will look like, it is unclear in which countries it is issued, in which countries it is not. What is it - a document of deregistration at the place of residence in the country of citizenship, placement on consular registration or something else? Probably, the introduction of this document will be the main difficulty for those applying for RPP", - said the expert, recalling that without RPP it is impossible to obtain citizenship of Kazakhstan.
The entire five-stage digital assessment of a potential immigrant takes up to 29 days and ends with a notification of compliance with the requirements. If a positive answer is received, the foreigner can apply for RPP.
Chichkov added that the new rules apply only to those who do not yet have a permanent residence permit. There is no need to undergo testing to extend already issued residence permits. Also, according to the lawyer, the additional requirements do not apply to participants of the Digital Nomad Residence program, which provides a special visa regime for foreign IT specialists living in Kazakhstan and working from there for foreign companies. Other exemptions include minors, investors and representatives of in-demand professions.