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Kazakhstan

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
33,151
Top destination, 2023
Türkiye
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
28,746
UK visas issued, 2025
18,081
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
9.0%
NationalityKZISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<KZKAZAKHSTAN<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
KZ5<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<0

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Kazakhstan need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaVisa requiredRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomVisa requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongNo visa for visits of up to 14 daysImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Kazakhstan move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Türkiye10,813
  2. South Korea10,127
  3. United States2,570
  4. Germany2,042
  5. Lithuania1,594
  6. Czechia1,437
  7. Latvia900
  8. Hungary604
  9. Canada485
  10. Japan423
  11. Austria347
  12. Netherlands289
  13. Italy284
  14. France214
  15. Switzerland180

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

21k41k200020032006200920122015201820212023
21k41k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
20004,744
20014,429
200217,373
200315,630
200413,062
20059,867
20068,241
20077,024
20086,541
20096,634
20108,233
20116,430
20127,097
20138,628
201410,637
201511,364
201618,874
201725,050
201831,058
201931,707
202019,670
202134,291
202241,405
202333,151
Share going to the top destination
32.6%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Kazakhstan who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. Russia1,321,004
  2. Germany896,268
  3. Ukraine228,982
  4. Türkiye84,823
  5. Belarus68,126
  6. South Korea30,061
  7. Greece29,238
  8. Turkmenistan19,875
  9. Israel17,166
  10. Canada15,397
  11. Uzbekistan13,013
  12. Kyrgyzstan12,333

Living abroad by year

1.88M3.75M19901995200020052010201520202024
1.88M3.75M19902000201020202024
Data table
19903,178,221
19953,270,367
20003,407,178
20053,648,310
20103,753,542
20153,348,874
20203,029,566
20242,796,572
Living abroad, 2024
2,796,572
Change since 2000
-17.9%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
47.2%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Kazakhstan by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B219,974
  2. J15,266
  3. F11,343
  4. F2382
  5. J2251
  6. A2216
  7. G2192
  8. H1B151
  9. C1/D136
  10. L2132

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

15k30k201720182019202020212022202320242025
15k30k20172019202120232025
Data table
201713,577
201818,273
201922,029
20209,110
20218,515
202220,691
202329,933
202430,193
202528,746
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. DV770
  2. IR5128
  3. E183
  4. IR240
  5. IR140
  6. E234
  7. CR127
  8. I523
Immigrant visas, FY2025
1,217
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
87
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Kazakhstan who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Kazakhstan with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

1,4502,9002015201620172018201920202021202220232024
1,4502,900201520172019202120232024
Data table
20151,200
20161,310
20171,380
20181,380
20191,530
20201,310
20211,330
20221,790
20232,900
20242,490
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens900
  2. Diversity visa lottery850
  3. Employment-based preferences490
  4. Refugees and asylees200
  5. Family-sponsored preferences50
  6. Other classes10
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Spouses and children480
  2. Intracompany transferees (L-1)300
  3. Specialty occupations (H-1B)280
  4. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)150
  5. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)70
  6. Other temporary workers40
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Kazakhstan)
2,490
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Kazakhstan)
1,030
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
44,280
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Kazakhstan (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Kazakhstan (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor10,786
  2. Work5,997
  3. Study1,123
  4. Other109
  5. Family66

Visas issued by year

9,74119k201020122014201620182020202220242025
9,74119k201020132016201920222025
Data table
201013,937
201115,528
201216,532
201317,556
201417,541
201515,572
201612,378
201714,370
201814,862
201913,731
20203,953
20214,050
202213,302
202319,090
202419,482
202518,081
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
1,210
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Kazakhstan, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
2025526053526035
20242538559037570
20232046082548570
2022033052044530
20215255745455130
20205225395290120
20195240695405130
20180210720405100
20170200660335115
2016020562539515
201501155053355
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Kazakhstan, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

16322005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
16322005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–061
2006–079
2007–089
2008–095
2009–104
2010–1112
2011–1218
2012–1324
2013–1412
2014–1518
2015–1620
2016–1710
2017–1811
2018–1913
2019–2010
2020–217
2021–2215
2022–2324
2023–2425
2024–2532
2025–2621
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills13
  2. Specialist Skills8
Granted, 2025–26
21
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
0.0%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Kazakhstan living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

4959892012201420162018202220242025
4959892012201420162018202220242025
Data table
2012200
2013221
2014254
2015307
2016343
2017359
2018402
2019465
2022608
2023733
2024892
2025989
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Student394
  2. Dependent163
  3. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services155
  4. Permanent Resident80
  5. Designated Activities57
  6. Spouse or Child of Japanese National48
  7. Professor19
  8. Highly Skilled Professional14
  9. Long-Term Resident13
  10. Cultural Activities8
Residents, December 2025
989
In work-related statuses
219
Share in work-related statuses
22.1%
Students
394
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in Kazakhstan

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in Kazakhstan, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Germany45,09437,9166,92115.3%
Italy26,56225,1081,4375.4%
Spain23,13821,2801,4916.4%
France17,75916,2228744.9%
Hungary10,94410,2556896.3%
Czechia10,8439,7021,14110.5%
Greece10,32010,1461401.4%
Lithuania8,7017,3221,36415.7%
Bulgaria5,6735,1991272.2%
Austria5,1764,59057411.1%
Switzerland3,9053,28260815.6%
Poland3,8153,6231874.9%
Latvia1,9171,842623.2%
Finland1,9011,59824713.0%
Estonia1,1761,079968.2%

Applications by year

90k179k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
90k179k200920122015201820212024
Data table
200997,297
201099,859
2011121,578
2012140,512
2013159,403
2014148,879
2015143,605
2016124,735
2017153,563
2018157,608
2019173,073
202032,922
202120,468
2022106,097
2023159,072
2024179,446
Refusal rate, 2024
9.0%
Refusal rate, 2019
7.0%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of Kazakhstan in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Education7,186
  2. Work6,022
  3. Family2,292
  4. Other reasons1,952
First permits by country
  1. Poland5,090
  2. Lithuania2,198
  3. Czechia1,748
  4. Germany1,661
  5. Italy1,409
  6. Spain887
  7. Hungary809
  8. France611
  9. Slovakia529
  10. Austria359
  11. Netherlands320
  12. Cyprus187
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card209
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)254
  3. Researchers74
  4. Other paid activities5,485
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
364
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
2,984
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
23,648
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
340
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
90,201
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
4,121
Changed status into work, 2025
665
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
3
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
588
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Kazakhstan in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark2025734623400
Sweden20257410134146
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland2025301515
Austria2025530216314
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark46
  2. Sweden10
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Germany

Citizens of Kazakhstan living in Germany on 31 December 2025, by residence status in the Central Register of Foreigners (Destatis).

By residence status, 31 Dec 2025
  1. Permanent residence title27,090
  2. Family reasons8,950
  3. Application for a residence title pending3,095
  4. Neither tolerated nor permitted3,085
  5. Education and training1,455
  6. Special residence rights and national visas1,305
  7. Employment1,010
  8. International law, humanitarian or political reasons730
  9. EU free movement340
  10. Tolerated stay (Duldung)245
  11. Permission to reside during the asylum procedure110

Residents in Germany (31 Dec)

24k49k201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
24k49k2014201620182020202220242025
Data table
201446,633
201546,344
201646,540
201746,650
201846,740
201947,250
202046,980
202147,560
202248,655
202348,825
202448,125
202547,425
Residents in Germany, 31 Dec 2025
47,420
With a residence title for employment
1,010
Permanent residence title
27,090
Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), Central Register of Foreigners, 31 December 2025 (reproduction permitted with source)Data as at 31 Dec 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Kazakhstan

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Kazakhstan, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Afghanistan11—
Austria1——
Azerbaijan1——
Belarus1——
Belgium1——
Brazil1——
Bulgaria1——
Canada1——
China12—
Croatia1——
Czechia1——
Estonia1——
Finland1——
France11—
Germany11—
Greece1——
India1——
Indonesia1——
Israel1——
Italy1——
Japan1——
Latvia1——
Lithuania1——
Malaysia1——
Morocco1——
Netherlands1——
North Macedonia1——
Palestine1——
Poland11—
Portugal1——
Romania1——
Russia1——
Saudi Arabia1——
Serbia1——
Slovakia1——
South Africa1——
South Korea1——
Spain1——
Sweden1——
Switzerland1——
Türkiye13—
Ukraine1——
United Arab Emirates1——
United Kingdom1——
United States—1—
Countries
45
Missions
54
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by Kazakhstan, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

3096182000200320062009201220152018202120242025
309618200020052010201520202025
Data table
200067
200185
2002111
200342
200457
200562
200684
2007143
2008126
2009198
2010226
2011180
2012283
2013341
2014401
2015294
2016384
2017560
2018618
2019506
2020374
2021310
2022481
2023304
2024241
2025237
Remittances received, 2025
US$237 million
Share of GDP, 2025
0.08%
Average cost of sending US$200 to Kazakhstan, 2021
1.2%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from Kazakhstan

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Kazakhstan → Türkiye
  • Kazakhstan → South Korea
  • Kazakhstan → Germany
  • Kazakhstan → United States
  • Kazakhstan → Italy
  • Kazakhstan → Spain
  • Kazakhstan → France
  • Kazakhstan → Hungary
  • Kazakhstan → Czechia
  • Kazakhstan → Greece
  • Kazakhstan → Lithuania
  • Kazakhstan → Bulgaria
  • Kazakhstan → Austria
  • Kazakhstan → Poland
  • Kazakhstan → Slovakia
  • Kazakhstan → United Kingdom
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more