Kazakhstan Grants Digital Nomad Status to 262 Foreign IT Specialists
A total of 262 foreign IT specialists have obtained residency or visa status in Kazakhstan through the Digital Nomad Residency and Digital Nomad Visa programs, according to updated figures from Astana Hub.
As of August 2026, 250 foreign technology professionals had received permanent residence permits under the Digital Nomad Residency program, while another 12 had obtained Digital Nomad Visas after completing the required procedures.
The programs were introduced to attract international technology professionals to Kazakhstan, strengthen ties with the global technology community and facilitate the exchange of expertise between foreign specialists and local IT companies.
Since the launch of the programs, Astana Hub has received 1,517 applications from IT specialists representing 71 countries across Europe, Asia, North America, the Middle East and other regions. However, the number of applications does not directly correspond to the number of visas or residence permits issued, as applicants must pass several stages before receiving final approval.
Astana Hub has issued 1,069 petitions following its review of applications, including 1,030 under the Digital Nomad Residency program and 39 under the Digital Nomad Visa program. The technology hub emphasized that a petition does not constitute a visa or residence permit and does not guarantee that an applicant will receive the relevant status. Final decisions are made by authorized government bodies following the completion of the required procedures.
The 262 specialists who have obtained the relevant statuses represent nearly 17% of all applications submitted since the programs were introduced.
The programs are aimed at qualified foreign IT professionals, including software developers, product managers, artificial intelligence specialists, data analysts, technology entrepreneurs and startup founders. Executives of international technology companies and digital professionals working remotely for foreign employers are also eligible if they meet the established criteria.
Astana Hub said the arrival of international IT specialists could contribute to knowledge exchange, strengthen cooperation with Kazakh technology teams and support the development of the country’s startup and technology ecosystem.
Photo credit: gov.kz
