Moving to Almaty: a step-by-step plan for your first months

Step 1. How to enter Kazakhstan and on what basis to stay

Start with the entry rules for your country. Citizens of Russia, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan enter without a visa and can stay up to 90 days in every 180. Citizens of the UAE, USA, EU countries, UK, Korea, Japan and China enter visa-free for up to 30 days at a time. The lists change, so check them on the Kazakh Foreign Ministry website before you travel.

If you plan to live here longer, you need a status: a temporary residence permit through work or business, the Neo Nomad visa for remote workers earning at least $3,000 a month, an investor visa or a residence permit. I'd settle this before the move, because your status affects renting, banking and whether you can buy an apartment.

Visa-free foreigners should keep an eye on QazETA, the electronic travel authorisation. For now it's an advisory pilot; according to the media, it becomes mandatory from 1 July 2027.

Step 2. Registering your place of stay

Since 1 July 2026, the Rules for the Registration of Immigrants under Ministry of Internal Affairs Order No. 923 have been in force. Registration goes through the Migration Portal information system, and the host confirms it in the app. If you came visa-free for up to 90 days, you need to register no later than 30 days after entry, unless an agreement with your country says otherwise.

The host is usually a hotel, an employer or the owner of the apartment. So when renting, I agree registration with the owner before the lease is signed.

Step 3. How to get an IIN in Kazakhstan as a foreigner

You need an IIN (individual identification number, Kazakhstan's personal tax ID) for a bank, a property deal, registering an LLP and many everyday services. Since 1 January 2026 it's issued only in person at a TsON (public service centre) or a specialised TsON in Kazakhstan; embassies no longer issue it.

You need your passport and proof of entry, plus a notarised translation if your passport isn't in Kazakh or Russian. It's free and usually takes 1–3 working days. In 2026 issuance was stopped twice for technical reasons, so leave a couple of spare days.

Step 4. Bank account and mobile phone

Non-residents may open accounts at Kazakh banks. In practice you need a personal visit, an IIN and often a local phone number. Each bank has its own requirements, and since 2022 checks have been stricter for Russian citizens. If you're bringing a large sum for a future purchase, gather documents on the source of the money in advance.

Buy a local SIM card at an operator's shop with your passport. What else the operator will ask for, and whether it needs your IIN for certain services, is best checked on the spot, as requirements change. A local number makes banking, deliveries and taxis easier.

Step 5. Housing: rent first, buy later

I almost always advise renting for the first 3–6 months. In that time you'll find out where you like living, how long the commute to work and school takes, and what the winter smog feels like. According to OLX for June 2026, average rent for a one-bedroom ranges from 128,000 ₸ in Turksib district to 189,000 ₸ in Bostandyk.

Buying makes sense once the district is clear and your status is settled. Without a residence permit a foreigner can't buy housing in their own name, which leaves an LLP or non-residential property. And remember: buying an apartment doesn't give you a residence permit by itself.

Best districts in Almaty for families

Families with children most often look at Bostandyk and Medeu districts: the mountains and parks are closer, there's more choice of new complexes, and private schools and kindergartens are easier to find. Within each district the differences are big. Samal and upper Dostyk suit people who work in the centre. Remizovka and Gorny Gigant offer quiet and fresh air, but you need a car.

Before choosing, check the building's earthquake safety: the whole city lies in a 9–10 point seismic zone, and the year of construction and the structure matter more than a nice facade. I spent about four years building houses, and this is the first thing I look at.

Step 6. Long-term status and business

If you plan to stay a long time, a residence permit gives you more freedom, including the right to buy housing in your own name. In 2026 most applicants fall under the pilot rules: the KAZTEST language exam, about 5.71 million ₸ in a bank account and a year in a resettlement region, which doesn't include Almaty. Investors are exempt from the regional requirement.

For business, a foreigner can open a 100% foreign-owned LLP. Since 1 April 2026 the founder has to be present in person at registration, so it's convenient to combine registration with the IIN trip.

Where you'll need help with the move

People usually handle the visa and the phone on their own. Help is more often needed with housing, registration with the owner, the bank and choosing a district. I offer paid relocation accompaniment: I find a rental before you arrive, check the owner, arrange registration, and show you districts and schools on the ground.

My partner lawyers handle residence permits, LLPs and employment, and I keep everything in one plan so the steps don't contradict each other. When it's time to buy, you'll know the city and I'll know what you need.