Kazakhstan's Attractive Investment Residency
Gold visas granted by Kazakhstan offering residency for a decade.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MFA of RK) has stepped things up by announcing new investment visa rules. As stated on their official website, this move is aimed at magnetizing international investment and promoting long-term business relationships.
With an investment of at least $300,000 in Kazakhstani companies or local securities, foreigners can apply for the coveted "golden visa." This visa promises a residence permit in the country for a period of up to 10 years.
This approach isn't novel, with many countries, including European nations, the USA, UAE, and Singapore, employing similar strategies to attract capital, technology and boost business activity. Kazakhstan’s entry into this realm promises an investment residency model that mirrors these successful efforts.
Interestingly, back in March 2025, the USA started selling a 'golden card' for around $5 million. Former President Donald Trump highlighted that these cards would offer benefits akin to green cards, replacing the EB-5 investor immigration visa program, and functioning as an alternative pathway to US citizenship.
As for Kazakhstan’s past performance, our platform reported that in nearly two years since the introduction of the 'golden visa' program in Russia, 40 applications were submitted, yielding 23 positive decisions. Ten foreigners now boast the coveted documents, raking in 2.6 billion rubles for the Russian economy. For comparison, countries like Portugal, Greece, and Spain have issued thousands of "golden visas" since 2012, with a minimum investment threshold of €250,000.
It's worth mentioning that, in 2024, prior to the official launch of the new program, Kazakhstan had accepted 63 relevant investor applications. However, specific data pertaining to the new program launched in May 2025 is still pending.
On a regional context, Kazakhstan follows in the footsteps of neighboring countries like Uzbekistan, which is also launching a golden visa program. This trend highlights a broader strategy for Central Asian countries to attract foreign investment and talent.
In summary, while Kazakhstan’s concrete data for the new golden visa program is yet to be released, the program is intended to attract long-term investors and reinforce Kazakhstan's standing as a regional economic powerhouse.
I'm not sure if investing $300,000 in Kazakhstan's finance sector would be a wise decision, considering the uncertainty surrounding the long-term success of their newly launched investment residency program. However, the potential for long-term business relationships and reinforcing Kazakhstan's standing as a regional economic powerhouse could make it an attractive option for some investors.
