Republic of Kazakhstan · digital nomad
Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
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.
- Processing time
- Indicative only. The visa is issued through Kazakhstan's foreign missions and extended by the migration police; confirm current timing on the official egov.kz page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only. A visa fee applies; refer to the official page for current amounts rather than relying on a figure here.
- Typical duration
- Issued for up to around a year with the possibility of in-country extension; it is a stay route, not a settlement route.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Overview
The Neo Nomad Visa, in visa category B12-1, was introduced for people who work remotely and earn a steady income from abroad. It lets you base yourself in Kazakhstan while your work and income stay outside the country. Honesty box - please read: this is the visa route that does NOT lead to permanent residence. It is a different thing from the IT "Digital Nomad Residency" run through Astana Hub, which can lead to a permanent residence permit. The Neo Nomad Visa also does not let you work for Kazakhstani companies or earn local income. Treat any income figure as indicative and confirm the current rule on the official egov.kz page.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓You work remotely and your income comes from sources outside Kazakhstan.Electronic Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan ↗
- ✓You can show a steady income over a recent period (the threshold is indicative - check the official page).Electronic Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan ↗
- ✓You do not take a job with a Kazakhstani company or earn local income on this visa.Electronic Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan ↗
- ✓You meet the standard entry and good-character requirements for the category.Electronic Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan ↗
Common blockers
- !Relying on this visa to lead to permanent residence - it does not; the IT Digital Nomad Residency is the route that can.Electronic Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan ↗
- !Planning to work for a Kazakhstani employer or earn local income, which this visa does not allow.Electronic Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan ↗
- !Being unable to evidence the steady foreign income the route expects.Electronic Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Valid passport and the completed visa application.Electronic Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan ↗
- ·Bank statements or similar proof of steady income from outside Kazakhstan.Electronic Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan ↗
- ·Evidence of your remote employment or client relationships abroad.Electronic Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan ↗
- ·Any further documents the official page or mission requests.Electronic Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm your income is genuinely from outside Kazakhstan and that this stay-only route fits your plan.
Build the evidence pack
Gather your passport and recent proof of steady foreign income.
Submit through the official channel
Apply for the Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1) through Kazakhstan's official channel or a foreign mission.
After approval
After arrival, register as required and apply to extend in-country if you want to stay longer.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1).
Electronic Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan · verified
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Related routes
Digital Nomad Residency (IT specialists, via Astana Hub)
For you if you are a foreign IT specialist: the Digital Nomad Residency is a route, run through Astana Hub, that can lead to a permanent residence permit in Kazakhstan - and that is the key difference from the Neo Nomad Visa.
Temporary Residence Permit
For you if you are staying in Kazakhstan for more than the short visa-free window: the temporary residence permit is the document that lets you live there for a defined purpose such as work, study, family or business.
Work Permit and Residence (employer-sponsored)
For you if a Kazakhstani employer has offered you a job: this is the standard route into paid work in Kazakhstan, where your employer secures a work permit for you and you then hold a temporary residence permit to live there.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Neo Nomad Visa lead to permanent residence?+
No. This is the route that does not lead to permanent residence - it is a stay route for remote workers with foreign income. If your goal is settlement and you work in IT, the separate "Digital Nomad Residency" run through Astana Hub is the route that can lead to a permanent residence permit. The two are easy to confuse, so check which one matches your situation on the official egov.kz page.
Can I work for a Kazakhstani company on this visa?+
No. The Neo Nomad Visa is built around income earned outside Kazakhstan, so it does not let you take a local job or earn local income. If you want to work for a Kazakhstani employer, that runs through the work-permit and residence route instead. Treat any income figure mentioned online as indicative and confirm the current conditions on the official page.
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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