Kazakhstan’s Neo Nomad Visa 2026: Requirements for Digital Nomads, Income, and Length of Stay

The Neo Nomad Visa (category B12-1) is a multiple-entry Kazakhstani visa for foreign nationals working remotely for foreign companies who wish to reside legally in Kazakhstan while combining work with travel, without the right to take up employment with a Kazakhstani employer.

The visa was introduced on the instruction of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and took effect 17 November 2024; details of the application process were disclosed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the RK on 20 November 2024.

⚠ The minimum income requirement for the Neo Nomad visa is at least USD 3,000 per month, confirmed by a bank statement covering the last 6 months — not €2,000, as sometimes cited in unofficial sources; the official government press release and multiple independent sources cite a dollar, not a euro, figure.

The visa can be extended for a further period of up to 1 year on the basis of an application submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the RK.

1. Legal Basis and Timeline

The Neo Nomad Visa was introduced as part of amendments to Kazakhstan’s visa issuance rules, which took effect 17 November 2024.

Per the official press release of the Government of the RK, the new visa category was introduced on the instruction of President K.K. Tokayev and takes into account the international experience of more than 50 countries that have implemented similar programmes since the pandemic.

ℹ The visa’s official classification is category B12-1, a multiple-entry visa issued through Kazakhstani embassies and consular offices abroad.

A repeat verification pass located the actual primary instrument amending the visa issuance rules: the joint order of the Deputy Prime Minister — Minister of Foreign Affairs of the RK dated 31 October 2024 No. 11-1-4/612 and the Minister of Internal Affairs of the RK dated 31 October 2024 No. 872, amending the base joint order of 24 November 2016 No. 11-1-2/555 (MFA) and 28 November 2016 No. 1100 (MVD).

ℹ The primary text confirms the “B12” category itself in the general list of visas issued by the MFA, and confirms that amendments were made in 2024; the specific “B12-1” sub-designation is confirmed only by secondary sources (official embassy pages and the Ministry of Tourism), not by the visible fragment of the primary text.

2. Who the Visa Is Designed For

The Neo Nomad Visa is available to foreign nationals of any country who work remotely and receive stable income from sources outside Kazakhstan.

⚠ Per the official page of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in London: “This visa does not provide for the possibility of employment in Kazakhstan” — it is not an alternative to an employer permit for attracting foreign labour, but a fundamentally different legal mechanism.

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3. The Income Requirement: The Precise Figure

The minimum confirmed monthly income for the Neo Nomad visa is at least USD 3,000, to be confirmed by a bank statement covering the last 6 months.

⚠ A figure of €2,000 per month, sometimes found in unverified sources, does not match the officially announced requirement — the government press release and the relevant ministry both cite the threshold in US dollars, not euros.

4. The Full Document Checklist

Document	Requirement
Bank statement	Covering the last 6 months, confirming monthly income above USD 3,000
Tax declaration	Issued by the competent authority of the applicant’s country of citizenship
Criminal record certificate	From the country of citizenship or permanent residence
Health insurance	Valid in Kazakhstan for the duration of stay
Invitation letter	Not required for citizens of 48 countries on the list of economically developed, politically and migration-stable states

5. Invitation Letter Exemption for 48 Countries

✅ Per official information from the Embassy of the RK in London, an invitation letter is not required for citizens of 48 countries on the list of economically developed, politically and migration-stable states.

6. No Tax Obligations in Kazakhstan

A Neo Nomad visa holder carries no tax obligations in Kazakhstan on income earned outside the country.

Per clarification from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the RK, citing Article 216 of the Tax Code of the RK, a Neo Nomad visa holder has no tax obligations in Kazakhstan, since the source of their income lies outside the country.

7. Validity and Extension

The Neo Nomad visa can be extended for a further period of up to 1 year on the basis of an application submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

ℹ Family members and dependents of the main visa holder are granted a visa matching the validity of the main applicant’s visa, with no additional professional requirements imposed on accompanying family members.

8. How This Differs From an Employer Permit for Foreign Labour

An employer permit for attracting foreign labour is a fundamentally different legal mechanism, requiring a Kazakhstani employer to initiate the hiring process for a specific foreign specialist to work within the country.

⚠ The Neo Nomad Visa does not create an employment relationship with a Kazakhstani employer and does not substitute for an employer permit — it is a mechanism for those who continue receiving income from a foreign source while physically present in Kazakhstan, not for taking up employment within the Kazakhstani labour market.

9. How This Differs From AIFC Registration

The AIFC is a jurisdiction for establishing and registering operating companies, financial and professional services, with its own visa and tax regime for employees of participant companies.

ℹ The Neo Nomad visa has no connection to the AIFC and does not require participation in that jurisdiction — these are two independent mechanisms serving fundamentally different categories of foreigners: individual remote specialists and employees of companies conducting operating activity within the AIFC.

10. Comparing the Three Mechanisms for Legal Presence

Parameter	Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1)	Employer Permit for Foreign Labour	AIFC Registration
Who obtains it	An individual remote specialist	An employer, for hiring a specific foreigner	An AIFC participant company
Income source	Must be outside Kazakhstan	A Kazakhstani employer	Depends on the company’s activity
Right to work in Kazakhstan	Not provided — cannot take employment with a Kazakhstani employer	Yes, this is precisely its purpose	Yes, for employees of a participant company
Tax obligations in the RK	None under Article 216 of the Tax Code — income is outside Kazakhstan	Standard taxation on Kazakhstani employment income	Depends on the company and employee status
Validity	Up to 1 year, extendable for a further 1 year	Set by the permit	Tied to AIFC participant status

11. Step-by-Step Visa Application Process

1.     Prepare a bank statement covering the last 6 months, confirming monthly income of at least USD 3,000.

2.     Obtain a tax declaration issued by the competent authority of your country of citizenship.

3.     Obtain a criminal record certificate from your country of citizenship or permanent residence.

4.     Arrange health insurance valid in Kazakhstan for the entire duration of stay.

5.     Apply to a Kazakhstani embassy or consular office abroad for a category B12-1 visa.

6.     If planning a stay beyond 1 year, prepare an extension application in advance for submission to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

12. Common Mistakes

•       Using a euro income figure instead of US dollars. The officially announced threshold is at least USD 3,000 per month, not €2,000 — using the wrong currency can result in insufficient income evidence.

•       Expecting to be able to take employment with a Kazakhstani employer on this visa. The Neo Nomad Visa expressly does not provide this possibility — a separate employer permit for attracting foreign labour is required for that.

•       Not preparing an invitation letter, assuming it is unnecessary for any nationality. The invitation exemption applies only to citizens of the 48 specifically listed countries — for all others, an invitation remains mandatory.

•       Overlooking health insurance as a separate mandatory document. This is a standalone requirement alongside proof of income, the tax declaration, and the criminal record certificate.

13. Who This Fits

•       Individual specialists working remotely for foreign companies or clients who wish to reside legally in Kazakhstan long-term. The visa provides legal status without requiring employment within the Kazakhstani labour market.

14. Who This Does Not Fit

•       Specialists planning formal employment with a Kazakhstani employer. A separate mechanism — an employer permit for attracting foreign labour — is required for that, not the Neo Nomad visa.

15. When Professional Verification Is Essential

Self-assessment is worth supplementing with specialist advice when: preparing the document package for a specific consular office; assessing whether an invitation letter is required for a specific nationality; and choosing between the Neo Nomad visa, an employer permit, and AIFC registration for a specific personal and business situation.

FAQ

What is the minimum income required for the Neo Nomad visa?

At least USD 3,000 per month, confirmed by a bank statement covering the last 6 months.

Can I work for a Kazakhstani employer on the Neo Nomad visa?

No, the visa expressly does not provide for the possibility of employment in Kazakhstan.

How long is the Neo Nomad visa valid for?

Up to 1 year, extendable for a further 1 year on the basis of an application submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Do I need to pay taxes in Kazakhstan on the Neo Nomad visa?

No, per Article 216 of the Tax Code of the RK, since the visa holder’s source of income is outside Kazakhstan.

Is an invitation letter required for the Neo Nomad visa?

No, for citizens of 48 countries on the list of economically developed, politically and migration-stable states; for all others, an invitation is mandatory.

Key Takeaways

•       The Neo Nomad Visa (category B12-1) took effect 17 November 2024 on the instruction of the President of the RK.

•       The minimum income is at least USD 3,000 per month, not €2,000.

•       The visa does not provide the right to take employment with a Kazakhstani employer.

•       Validity is up to 1 year, extendable for a further 1 year via the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

•       No tax obligations arise in Kazakhstan per Article 216 of the Tax Code.

•       An invitation letter is not required for citizens of 48 specifically listed countries.

Summary

The Neo Nomad Visa (category B12-1) is a multiple-entry Kazakhstani visa for foreign nationals working remotely for foreign companies, introduced on the instruction of President K.K. Tokayev and taking effect 17 November 2024. The minimum confirmed monthly income for the visa is at least USD 3,000, confirmed by a bank statement covering the last 6 months — a dollar, not a euro, threshold. The visa expressly does not provide for employment with a Kazakhstani employer and can be extended for a further period of up to 1 year on the basis of an application submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the RK. Per Article 216 of the Tax Code of the RK, a Neo Nomad visa holder carries no tax obligations in Kazakhstan, since the source of their income lies outside the country. An invitation letter is not required for citizens of 48 countries on the list of economically developed, politically and migration-stable states. The Neo Nomad visa differs fundamentally from an employer permit for attracting foreign labour (requiring a Kazakhstani employer and creating an employment relationship within the country) and from AIFC registration (a separate jurisdiction for operating companies).

Sources

• Official Internet Resource of the Government of the RK — A New Visa for Modern Nomads, Neo Nomad, Introduced in Kazakhstan, official press release (gov.kz)

• Official Internet Resource of the Embassy of the RK in London — Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1), official page in English (gov.kz)

• Qaz Tourism — Guide to Obtaining the Neo Nomad Visa for Digital Nomads, official tourism portal (qaztourism.kz)

• Kursiv Media — How to Obtain a Neo Nomad Visa in Kazakhstan — A Guide, citing clarification from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the RK (kursiv.media)

• Adilet Legal Information System — Joint Order of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the RK No. 11-1-4/612 and the Minister of Internal Affairs of the RK No. 872, dated 31 October 2024, amending the visa issuance rules (adilet.zan.kz)

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or consulting advice. Neo Nomad visa requirements and the application procedure may be clarified further by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the RK and the Ministry of Internal Affairs — verify current conditions directly with a Kazakhstani embassy or consular office before applying. Information is accurate as of July 2026.