A total of 65 "Ata Zholy" cards have been issued to ethnic Kazakhs who are citizens of other countries, granting them the right to live and work in Kazakhstan for 10 years. Among them, 27 cards were awarded to business immigrants ready to establish and develop their enterprises in Kazakhstan, while 38 cards were granted to highly sought-after specialists.

"Wherever Kazakhs may live, their only homeland is Kazakhstan. That is why it is always important for us to support our compatriots living abroad," – President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The recipients of the "Ata Zholy" card include professionals such as engineer-physicists, engineer-mathematicians, chemical technologists, maxillofacial surgeons, paediatricians, and others from Russia, Germany, Mongolia, China, the United States, Israel, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Finland, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

The introduction of the "Ata Zholy" card aims to strengthen ties with the historical homeland, preserve national traditions, and attract skilled professionals and successful entrepreneurs to Kazakhstan to realize their potential. The card is issued to ethnic Kazakhs living abroad without requiring them to renounce their current citizenship.

Holders of the "Ata Zholy" card receive a residence permit for 10 years upon entering Kazakhstan and can freely choose the region where they wish to work or start a business.

An ethnic Kazakh holding the "Ata Zholy" card, while remaining a citizen of another country, enjoys equal rights with both Kazakhstani citizens and kandas.

Holders of the "Ata Zholy" card (including their family members) are entitled to:

• Receive social benefits and access medical services within the guaranteed volume of medical care.
• Employment in Kazakhstan in accordance with the Labor Code and the Law on Migration of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
• Engage in entrepreneurial activities in Kazakhstan under the Entrepreneurial Code and other legal regulations.
• Access free secondary education in public schools and, on a competitive basis, free vocational and/or higher education in public institutions, as well as paid education in private institutions, in accordance with the Law on Education.
• Obtain state-guaranteed legal assistance under the Law on Advocacy and Legal Aid.
• Acquire Kazakhstani citizenship through a simplified procedure, in accordance with international agreements and national legislation on citizenship.

However, holders of the "Ata Zholy" card do not have the right to:

• Vote or be elected to the Parliament or maslikhats of Kazakhstan.
• Participate in national referendums.
• Hold public service positions in Kazakhstan.

The "Ata Zholy" card becomes invalid if its holder obtains Kazakhstani citizenship.

As a reminder, per the President’s directive, the "Ata Zholy" card was introduced in July 2023 for ethnic Kazakhs residing abroad, with an expanded framework for simplified entry and exit procedures.