Moving to another country is a complex, troublesome and costly task, so you should approach it with all the responsibility.

Procedure for obtainment of exit permit to move abroad for permanent residence

Procedure for obtainment of exit permit to move abroad for permanent residence from the Republic of Kazakhstan is regulated by the “Rules for execution of documents to move beyond the bounds of the Republic of Kazakhstan for permanent residency”.

Departure for permanent residence from the Republic of Kazakhstan is carried out with the permission of local internal affairs bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Procedure for obtaining a permit to leave for permanent residence to another state from the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as the list of documents required for this purpose.

Applications for permanent residence outside the Republic of Kazakhstan may be submitted by persons who have reached the age of 18 and those who are married at the age of 16. Documents for children and citizens recognized as legally incompetent by the court are submitted by their legal representatives (parents, guardians, trustees).

Request of other documents from citizens is not allowed (clause 7 of the Rules).

In cases, when an applicant cannot get the stated documents for some reason then an issue is settled in court

Pursuant to Clause 9 of the Rules decision on issuance of exit permit to depart from the Republic of Kazakhstan for permanent residence is made not later than 30 calendar days from the date of provision of required documents.  

Important: Note that obtainment of exit permit to move abroad for permanent residence does not mean that you automatically would lose the Republic of Kazakhstan citizenship.

Where one can obtain exit permit, if a citizen lives outside the Republic of Kazakhstan?

The relevant permit is issued to citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan who have left the Republic of Kazakhstan on temporary business and have expressed a desire to stay there for permanent residence by diplomatic missions or consular offices of the Republic of Kazakhstan abroad in coordination with the territorial internal affairs bodies at an applicant's last place of residence in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In case of absence, loss or validity expiration of national ID or passport of a citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a citizen submits a written explanation in any format.

Renunciation from the Republic of Kazakhstan citizenship

Withdrawal from the citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan is carried out based on a voluntary expression of will. Issues related to renouncing the citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan are regulated by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan".

When submitting documents on renouncing the citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the divisions of the migration service, an applicant should submit a receipt stating that he/she is familiar with the conditions and consequences of renouncing the citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and also undertakes to hand over the Kazakh documents to the Migration Service Department.

The internal affairs bodies request information about an applicant from the legal statistics and information bodies of the Prosecutor General's Office and its territorial subdivisions on bringing him/her to criminal responsibility as an accused person or on serving his sentence under a court verdict.

In a statement on renunciation of citizenship, an internal affairs body indicates the following information:

• whether or not an applicant has outstanding obligations to the state or property obligations that relate to the essential interests of citizens, state and other organizations;
• whether a citizen was charged with accusations;
• whether renunciation of citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan does not contradict the interests of state security.

Thus, if a citizen is brought to criminal responsibility as an accused or has served a sentence under a court verdict, has unfulfilled obligations to the Republic of Kazakhstan, or if a person's renunciation of citizenship is contrary to the interests of state security of the Republic, then in accordance with article 20 of the Law "On Citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan" he/she will be denied renunciation of citizenship.

You can get acquainted with the step-by-step procedure for renouncing citizenship, as well as learn about the terms of the service provided by following the link.

Upon renouncing citizenship, a person has the right to withdraw their pension savings. To do this, he/she should contact the branch of pension fund with which the pension assignment agreement was concluded and provide the necessary documents. You can learn more about the withdrawal and transfer of pension savings by following the link.

The procedure for renouncing the citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan is regulated by the following documents:

Regulation on Citizenship Commission

Renunciation from citizenship for citizens living abroad

Citizens can also apply for withdrawal from citizenship while residing outside the Republic of Kazakhstan. By itself, living outside of Kazakhstan does not entail termination of Kazakh citizenship. However, long-term residence abroad and subsequent acquisition of foreign citizenship leads to permanent loss of citizenship of Kazakhstan. 

Citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan permanently residing abroad (that is, who have withdrawn from registration in Kazakhstan and received permission to travel abroad for permanent residence in the internal affairs bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan), submit an application for renunciation of citizenship to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan through a foreign institution of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Applications for citizenship in respect of persons under the age of 18, as well as those recognized as legally incompetent, are considered at the request of their legal representatives, certified by a notary, and in other states – certified by a foreign institution, together with a copy of a child's birth certificate (adoptive parents, guardians and trustees submit a copy of the decision of the local executive body of the Republic of Kazakhstan) or with a document certifying the identity of an incapacitated person.

When submitting an application for changing the citizenship of a child between the ages of 14 and 18, his/her consent is required, which should be expressed in writing and notarized, and in other countries – certified by a foreign institution.

Documents should be written in the state or Russian languages, or in another language with a notarized translation into the state or Russian language.

The deadline for reviewing applications is no more than 6 months.