Comparison guide
Central Asia and the Caucasus: Low-Tax and Nomad Relocation Options
Newer, lower-cost relocation options across Central Asia and the Caucasus - Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, and Georgia.
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Remote workers and IT professionals seeking a low-cost baseFounders who want a simple company-and-residence setupPeople comparing newer frontier relocation optionsAt a glance
Key facts for each route covered in this comparison. Click any visa for the full guide.
| Country | Route | Sponsor? | Duration | Leads to PR? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kazakhstan | Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1) | No | Issued for up to around a year with the possibility of in-country extension; it is a stay route, not a settlement route. | ✗ No |
| Uzbekistan | IT Visa (IT Park founders and specialists) | No | A multiple-entry route issued for an extended period (commonly up to a few years) and renewable; confirm the current validity on the official page. | ✗ No |
| Armenia | Temporary Residence for Business / Self-Employment | No | Temporary status, commonly granted for one year at a time and renewable; biometric cards from 1 August 2026 - confirm current validity on the official page. | ✓ Yes |
| Georgia | Visa-Free 365-Day Stay (remote workers) | No | Up to 365 days from the date of entry for eligible nationalities; it is an entry status, not a renewable permit. | ✗ No |
Detailed comparison
Kazakhstan offers two remote-worker routes: the Neo Nomad Visa (which does not lead to permanent residence) and an IT-focused Digital Nomad Residency via Astana Hub that can lead to permanent residence.
Uzbekistan has rapidly opened up, with a new Golden Visa (effective 1 June 2025) and an IT Visa that lets IT Park specialists work without a separate work permit.
Armenia has no formally named digital-nomad visa; remote workers and founders typically use an entrepreneur or work-based residence, which pairs with a low (around 1%) turnover-tax regime for small IT businesses.
Georgia lets citizens of many countries live and work remotely visa-free for up to a year, and is known for a 1% small-business tax regime - though long absences and tax-residence rules matter, so take professional advice.
Full guides for each route
Each link takes you to the complete visa guide — eligibility, step-by-step pathway, fees, processing time, and FAQs.
Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1)· Republic of Kazakhstan
For you if you work remotely for clients or an employer outside Kazakhstan: the Neo Nomad Visa (category B12-1) lets you live in Kazakhstan while keeping your foreign income - but please read the honesty note, because this one does not lead to permanent residence.
No sponsorship needed · Issued for up to around a year with the possibility of in-country extension; it is a stay route, not a settlement route.
IT Visa (IT Park founders and specialists)· Republic of Uzbekistan
For you if you are an IT founder or specialist: Uzbekistan's IT Visa, linked to IT Park, lets you live and work in the country without needing a separate work permit - a real simplification over the standard work route.
No sponsorship needed · A multiple-entry route issued for an extended period (commonly up to a few years) and renewable; confirm the current validity on the official page.
Temporary Residence for Business / Self-Employment· Republic of Armenia
If you run a business or work for yourself through an Armenian company, this temporary residence is the route remote workers and founders use - Armenia has no separate digital nomad visa.
No sponsorship needed · Temporary status, commonly granted for one year at a time and renewable; biometric cards from 1 August 2026 - confirm current validity on the official page.
Visa-Free 365-Day Stay (remote workers)· Georgia
Citizens of around 95 countries can enter Georgia visa-free and remain for up to 365 days - the de-facto route remote workers use, though it is visa-free entry, not a residence permit.
No sponsorship needed · Up to 365 days from the date of entry for eligible nationalities; it is an entry status, not a renewable permit.
Frequently asked questions
Which of these has the simplest setup for a remote worker?+
Georgia is often the simplest for a quick start - many nationalities can stay visa-free for up to a year - while Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan offer formal nomad and IT routes, and Armenia is popular for a low-tax entrepreneur setup. Confirm the current rules and any tax-residence implications on each official page.
Do these routes lead to permanent residence?+
It varies: Kazakhstan's IT Digital Nomad Residency can lead to permanent residence while its Neo Nomad Visa does not; Armenia and Georgia have their own residence-to-citizenship timelines. Check each official immigration authority for the current pathway.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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