Kazakhstan has issued the first 10-year residence permit under the Digital Nomad Residency program. The first recipient is Pavel Filatov, a Senior Analytics & BI Engineer with international experience, who has chosen Kazakhstan as a place to live and pursue his professional career.

Launched in January 2025 at the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the program has already established itself as an important tool for attracting leading global specialists in digital technologies and artificial intelligence. The residence permit application process begins online through the platform of the international innovation cluster Astana Hub. Specialists at Astana Hub then provide applicants with comprehensive guidance and advisory support throughout all stages of the process until the completion of registration in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

To date, more than 270 applications have been submitted from 20 countries, including the United States, Canada, France, Turkey, and CIS states. The majority of applications come from experts in programming, cybersecurity, UI/UX design, and DevOps. Today, IT specialists from across the globe have the opportunity to become part of this initiative.

The first Digital Nomad Visas—which do not require proof of income—have already been issued to IT professionals from Algeria and Botswana. This format not only simplifies entry into the country but also allows foreign specialists to work with both international and Kazakhstani companies. Moreover, during the validity of the visa, its holders may apply for a residence permit.

The issuance of the first long-term Digital Nomad Residency highlights the effectiveness of the program and the growing interest in Kazakhstan as an emerging digital hub in the region.

“The Digital Nomad Residency program provides a truly rare opportunity to combine comfortable living conditions with a rapidly developing technological ecosystem. I was particularly impressed by how convenient and modern the entire process was. For IT specialists worldwide, this truly opens up new horizons. Kazakhstan has enormous potential for professional growth and international cooperation, and it is a great honor for me to become the first holder of this residency,” said Pavel Filatov, the first recipient of the Digital Nomad Residency.

It should be recalled that the Digital Nomad Visa, as well as its extension in the form of the Digital Nomad Residency, is designed to attract “digital nomads” in high-tech fields, particularly in AI, Big Data, automation, and information security.

The issuance of the first Digital Nomad Residency represents far more than a formal procedure. It is a symbol of the country’s openness to global IT professionals and another step toward strengthening Kazakhstan’s position as a regional technology hub.