As of 2024, individuals seeking citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan are required to demonstrate knowledge of the Kazakh language, the country’s history, and its Constitution. Applicants who do not pass the examination will not be granted citizenship. However, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education has recently proposed relaxing certain requirements, notably by lowering the minimum passing score for the Kazakh language component.
In this context, the Informburo portal provides a detailed overview of the current requirements for acquiring Kazakhstani citizenship, the necessary documentation, and the examination criteria.
The right to acquire citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan is extended to the following categories:
Foreign nationals and stateless persons who are permanent residents of Kazakhstan and have expressed a desire to obtain citizenship;
Individuals who previously held Kazakhstani citizenship but lost it for various reasons;
Members of the “Oralman” category — ethnic Kazakhs who have arrived in Kazakhstan for permanent residence.
To obtain citizenship, applicants must fulfill the following conditions:
Have resided permanently in Kazakhstan for at least five years,
or
have been married to a Kazakhstani citizen for at least three years;
Have no legal violations or criminal record;
Demonstrate financial stability and a legitimate source of income;
Show proficiency in the Kazakh language and knowledge of Kazakhstan’s history and Constitution.
Exceptions:
The five-year residency requirement does not apply to:
Minors;
Individuals legally deemed incapacitated;
Persons with special merits before the state;
Individuals engaged in professions designated by the President of Kazakhstan, as well as their family members.
Furthermore, citizens of former Soviet republics who have arrived for permanent residence in Kazakhstan and have close relatives (spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandparents) living in the country may apply for citizenship regardless of their length of stay.
Applicants must submit the following documents:
A written application addressed to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
A personal autobiography;
Four photographs (size 3.5 × 4.5 cm);
Copies of the applicant’s national identity card and international passport;
A signed declaration agreeing to comply with established legal requirements;
Proof of payment of the state duty;
A certificate from the competent authority of a foreign state confirming the absence or termination of previous citizenship;
Additional supporting documents, such as a marriage certificate or children’s birth certificates, where applicable.
For those married to Kazakhstani citizens, additional documentation includes:
A notarized declaration renouncing prior citizenship;
A copy of the applicant’s passport;
A copy of the marriage certificate;
A copy of the spouse’s Kazakhstani identity card.
Applicants who do not qualify for the simplified procedure must submit their documents to the territorial divisions of the migration police at their place of residence. The application, addressed to the President, must state the reasons for requesting citizenship.
The local internal affairs authority will forward the documents to the relevant police department, where they will be reviewed, and an official opinion will be prepared. The file is then submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which adds its conclusion and forwards the case to the State-Legal Department of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan for final consideration.
Citizenship may be granted through a simplified procedure, regardless of the period of residence, to the following individuals:
Oralmans (ethnic Kazakhs);
Individuals who lost their citizenship involuntarily or due to political repression, as well as their descendants;
Ethnic Kazakhs enrolled in Kazakhstani universities;
Widows or widowers of Kazakhstani citizens.
This simplified process also applies to citizens of the following countries:
The Russian Federation;
The Republic of Belarus;
The Kyrgyz Republic;
Foreign nationals married to Kazakhstani citizens.
Applicants eligible for the simplified process must provide the following:
A notarized declaration renouncing previous citizenship;
An Oralman certificate (for ethnic Kazakhs residing permanently in Kazakhstan);
A certificate from an educational institution confirming current enrollment (for ethnic Kazakh students);
A document verifying the applicant’s ethnic Kazakh identity;
A court decision on rehabilitation (for victims of political repression) or documents verifying descent from such individuals.
Applications under the simplified procedure must be addressed to the head of the police department in the respective region. The review period for these applications is up to three months from the date of submission.