As of February 1, 2024, Kazakhstan has welcomed 1,306 ethnic Kazakhs who have returned to their historical homeland, granting them Kandas status. Since 1991, the total number of ethnic Kazakhs repatriated to the republic has reached 1 million 129.6 thousand.

The majority of the Kandas arriving in Kazakhstan since the beginning of this year originate from China, making up 48.9% of the total. Additionally, 29.6% have come from Uzbekistan, 8.3% from Mongolia, 4.4% from Russia, 7.3% from Turkmenistan, and the remaining 1.5% from other countries.

As of February 1, 2024, the demographic breakdown of the ethnic migrants shows that 56.2% are of working age, 33.6% are minors, and 10.2% are pensioners. Among those of working age, 15% possess higher education, 20.2% have secondary specialized education, 54.6% have general secondary education, and 10.2% do not have any formal education.

These newly arrived ethnic Kazakhs have been settling across various regions of Kazakhstan. Specifically, efforts have been made to direct resettlement towards regions experiencing labor shortages, including Akmola, Abay, Kostanay, Pavlodar, East, and North Kazakhstan regions.

The quota for accepting Kandas in the settlement regions for 2024 has been set at 2,433 individuals. To date, 332 Kandas have been resettled in these targeted regions.

The government provides comprehensive state support to those settling in the designated regions. This includes subsidies for relocation, amounting to a lump sum of 70 MCI (258.4 thousand tenge) for each family member, as well as assistance with rental housing and utility payments, calculated for one year at a rate of 15 to 30 MCI (from 55.3 to 110.7 thousand tenge).

Since the start of the year, 35 Kandas have received various support measures, and all have secured permanent employment.

Moreover, to enhance the effectiveness of voluntary resettlement, measures are in place to support employers who facilitate the relocation of citizens to the northern regions. This includes the introduction of an economic mobility certificate, which covers 50% of housing costs or up to 4.28 million tenge per family, aiding in the purchase or acquisition of housing, or in covering initial payments on mortgage loans.

Since 2023, a pilot scheme has been in operation allowing ethnic Kazakhs to submit a request for Kandas status through the Embassy of Kazakhstan, streamlining the process with a "one window" approach. This initiative enables them to address issues related to visiting the country, employment opportunities, housing provisions, and obtaining Kandas status without having to enter the republic's territory. To date, 6,203 applications have been received under this new format.

Source: Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan