According to the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan (source), the country has achieved a significant milestone in implementing the state program aimed at attracting IT specialists. For the first time under the Digital Nomad Residency initiative, a long-term residence permit valid for ten years has been issued.
This event marks an important milestone in Kazakhstan’s digital transformation and demonstrates the success of the government’s policy in attracting highly qualified technical personnel. The program continues to gain momentum, drawing the attention of specialists from around the world to opportunities for professional and personal growth in the country.
The First Participant of the Digital Nomad Residency Program in Kazakhstan
The first ten-year residency was granted to Pavel Filatov, a specialist in data analytics and business intelligence with extensive international experience. His decision to choose Kazakhstan for residence and career development highlights the country’s growing appeal to highly skilled technical professionals.
The selection of this particular specialist is symbolic: data analytics and business intelligence are key areas of the modern digital economy. Filatov’s international experience will enable him not only to advance his own career in Kazakhstan but also to contribute to the development of the local IT ecosystem by sharing knowledge and best practices with Kazakhstani colleagues.
Development of the Presidential Initiative and Its Strategic Significance
The program was initiated under the directive of Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and launched in 2023. From the outset, it was identified as a key instrument for attracting talented specialists in information technology and machine learning.
In January 2025, for the first time, a long-term residence permit valid for ten years was issued under the program. This marked a new stage in the initiative’s development, clearly demonstrating its effectiveness and demand.
The strategic significance of the program goes beyond merely attracting personnel. The Digital Nomad Residency is part of Kazakhstan’s broader state policy on digitalizing the economy and creating conditions for the development of high-tech industries. Bringing in international experts promotes technology transfer, fosters an innovation-driven culture, and enhances the competitiveness of Kazakhstani companies in the global market.
The application process is fully digitized and begins through the online platform Astana Hub — an international innovation cluster. A team of experts provides comprehensive support to candidates at all stages of document processing in accordance with national legislation. This approach demonstrates the modernity and client-orientation of state services.
International Interest in the Digital Nomad Residency
Official data indicate a high level of interest from foreign specialists. To date, more than 270 applications have been submitted by representatives from twenty different countries, including the USA, Canada, France, Turkey, and CIS countries.
The geographic diversity of applications demonstrates the program’s global reach and its appeal to specialists from various regions. Particularly noteworthy is the participation of experts from technologically advanced countries, confirming the competitiveness of Kazakhstan’s offering in the international talent market.
The highest activity comes from professionals in the following fields:
- Software development
- Information security
- User interface design
- DevOps engineering
These areas align with Kazakhstan’s priority goals for digital transformation and the needs of the national labor market.
Flexible Participation Formats
The Digital Nomad program offers two main formats to accommodate the diverse needs of IT professionals:
- Digital Nomad Visa — a short-term format, already obtained by specialists from Algeria and Botswana. Its main advantage is that there is no requirement to prove income level, making the visa process accessible and quick. This status provides opportunities for collaboration with both international and Kazakhstani companies. During the validity of the visa, holders can initiate the process of obtaining long-term residency.
- Digital Nomad Residency — an extended option that provides a long-term residence permit. This format was implemented for the first time in 2025, marking a milestone in the program’s development.
Participant Feedback
The first recipient of the long-term status, Pavel Filatov, highlighted the uniqueness of the opportunities offered, emphasizing the combination of comfortable living conditions with a dynamically developing technological environment.
According to him, the program opens new prospects for IT professionals worldwide, and Kazakhstan has significant potential for professional growth and international cooperation. Feedback from participants like this serves as effective “word-of-mouth promotion,” strengthening trust in the initiative.
Strategic Goals and Priority Areas
The state Digital Nomad program is aimed at attracting highly skilled specialists in key areas:
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Big data
- Industrial automation
- Information security
These fields form the foundation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and are crucial factors for the competitiveness of the 21st-century economy. Developing expertise in these areas will enable Kazakhstan to secure a prominent position in the global digital ecosystem.стеме.
Prospects for the Development of the Digital Nomad Residency for IT Specialists
The issuance of the first ten-year Digital Nomad Residency carries symbolic significance that goes beyond an administrative procedure. It demonstrates Kazakhstan’s openness to the global IT community and represents another step toward strengthening the country’s position as a regional hub for technological innovation.
The successful implementation of the program confirms the republic’s readiness to integrate into the international digital technology ecosystem and to create competitive conditions for leading global specialists. In the long term, this will contribute to the formation of a strong technological cluster in Kazakhstan, capable of competing with the world’s leading innovation centers.
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