Kazakhstan Astana Hub C3 Work Visa
Application Fee
KZT 129,750 (≈ $289.49)
Processing Time
~1 wk
Difficulty
Moderate
Duration
60 months
Overview
The Astana Hub C3 work visa lets foreign managers and specialists work in Kazakhstan for an Astana Hub participant company. The employer files the petition. The visa lasts for the employment contract, up to five years. The state fee is KZT 129,750. Spouses and children under 18 can receive entry visas for the same period. The permit does not lead to permanent residency.
Eligibility Requirements
Application Fee
KZT 129,750 (≈ $289.49)
Duration
60 months
W2 Employee (foreign employer)
Requirements Checklist
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How and where to apply
Migration service of the city in Kazakhstan, or a Kazakh embassy or consulate abroad.
Tax Information
Tax residency and rates
A person who spends 183 days in Kazakhstan in any 12-month period is a tax resident and is taxed on worldwide income. Personal income tax is 10% on annual income up to KZT 36,762,500 and 15% above that. Dividend income is taxed at 5% up to 230,000 MCI and 15% on the excess.
US filing
The US-Kazakhstan income tax treaty has been in force since 30 December 1996. US citizens and green card holders still file with the IRS. The 2026 Foreign Earned Income Exclusion limit is US$132,900. A US person must file an FBAR when foreign account balances exceed US$10,000 at any point in the year.
Living in Kazakhstan
COL Index vs NYC
32.7
Monthly Cost (excl. rent)
$555
1BR Rent (City Center)
$498
Safety Index
54.8
Healthcare Index
60.7
Quality of Life Index
105.1
Time Zone
UTC+05:00
Capital
Nur-Sultan
Population
18.8M
Official Languages
Kazakh, Russian
Avg Internet Speed
90 Mbps
Public Transit Quality
Good
With a budget covering rent and living costs, you'd need roughly $1,053/mo for a comfortable single-person lifestyle in Kazakhstan.See how far your money goes →
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✦ 77Who qualifies
The C3 visa is for managers and specialists with higher education who are employees of an Astana Hub participant. The employing company must be a Kazakh legal entity that earns at least 90% of its income from priority ICT activities and keeps separate accounts.
How it works
The employer files a petition with the city migration service. Supporting documents include the employment contract, the participant certificate and a receipt for the state fee. The migration service reviews the file in five working days. The employee registers with the migration service after arrival.
Extension and permanent residency
The visa can be extended at the Astana Hub Fund's request without leaving Kazakhstan. The C3 visa is temporary and does not lead to permanent residency. Astana Hub runs a separate Digital Nomad Residency for a simplified PR process.
Work Permissions
Application Steps
- 1
📋 Obtain the Astana Hub participant certificate
- 2
📄 Prepare the petition and employment contract
- 3
📬 File at the city migration service
- 4
📄 Pay the state fee
- 5
⏳ Wait for the review
5 working days
- 6
🏛️ Register after arrival
3 working days
Frequently Asked Questions
Click any question to expand the answer.
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At a Glance
Last verified: November 4, 2026