Digital Nomad
Digital Nomad Residency
💰 Minimum Income
No minimum income requirement. Eligibility is based on IT qualifications and professional experience.
⏱️ Duration
Initial 1-year single-entry visa, convertible to a multiple-entry visa for 1 year, then to a permanent residence permit valid for up to 10 years.
👪 Dependants
No
The Digital Nomad Residency does not provide visas for accompanying family members.
The Digital Nomad Residency (visa category B9-1) is a pilot program launched in March 2025 that provides foreign IT professionals with a simplified path to permanent residency in Kazakhstan for up to 10 years. The program targets highly skilled specialists in fields such as programming, cybersecurity, UI/UX design, DevOps, artificial intelligence, big data, and automation. Unlike the companion Neo Nomad Visa, this program has no minimum income requirement but requires applicants to demonstrate in-demand IT qualifications verified by Astana Hub. It is available to citizens of 109 countries eligible for electronic visas.
Requirements
- Must hold qualifications in an in-demand IT specialty (programming, cybersecurity, UI/UX design, DevOps, AI, big data, automation, or related fields)
- Educational diploma and professional portfolio required
- Must pass IT qualification verification by Astana Hub, which may include an online interview
- Must obtain a petition from Astana Hub confirming IT specialist status
- Must be a citizen of one of 109 countries eligible for Kazakhstan's electronic visas
- Criminal record certificate from country of citizenship or permanent residence (legalized)
- No minimum income requirement
Required Documents
- Valid passport (minimum 180 days remaining validity)
- Certified passport translation
- CV/resume
- Professional portfolio
- Motivation letter
- Criminal record certificate (legalized)
- Colour photograph (3.5 x 4.5 cm)
- Kazakhstan Individual Identification Number (IIN) and Electronic Digital Signature (EDS), obtainable remotely before applying
Duration & Renewal
The program follows a three-stage progression. First, a single-entry electronic visa valid for up to 1 year is issued. This can be converted to a multiple-entry visa for up to 1 year through the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Finally, holders can obtain a permanent residence permit valid for up to 10 years. The first 10-year residence permit under this program was issued in September 2025.
Tax Implications
Holders who obtain permanent residency and reside in Kazakhstan for more than 183 days per calendar year are considered tax residents, subject to a flat 10% personal income tax on worldwide income. Non-residents are taxed only on Kazakhstan-sourced income.
Application Process
- Obtain a Kazakhstan Individual Identification Number (IIN) and Electronic Digital Signature (EDS) remotely
- Submit an application through the Astana Hub portal (astanahub.com) with passport copy, CV, portfolio, motivation letter, criminal record certificate, and photograph
- Astana Hub reviews the application within 45 calendar days and may conduct an online interview
- If approved, Astana Hub issues a petition confirming IT specialist status
- Register on the eGov.kz portal, upload the petition and supporting documents, and sign using EDS
- Apply for the electronic B9-1 visa via the Visa-Migration Portal (vmp.gov.kz) — consular fee is USD 80
- Travel to Kazakhstan (entry only through international airports with e-visas)
- Complete in-person requirements: biometric registration, medical certificate, proof of accommodation, and submission of original documents to migration police
The overall process takes approximately 25-40 calendar days in practice.
Employment Restrictions
The B9-1 visa is designed for IT professionals seeking to work in Kazakhstan's tech sector. A separate C3 work permit may be required for employment with Kazakh entities. This differs from the Neo Nomad Visa, which restricts holders to remote foreign employment only.
Entry Requirements
The initial electronic visa is single-entry and permits entry only through international airports. Overland border crossings are not possible with an e-visa. Upon arrival, the host party must notify migration services within 3 working days. Mandatory fingerprinting registration applies since January 2024.
Other Visa Programs in Asia
Country↑ | Program↕ | Income↕ | Investment↕ | Funds Required↕ | Capital Required↕ | Duration↕ | Dependants↕ | Citizenship↕ | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan | Highly Skilled Migrant Programme | — | — | — | — | 3 years — 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan | Investor Temporary Residence Permit | — | AZN 100,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 3 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇧🇭 Bahrain | Golden Residency Visa for Property Owners | — | BHD 130,000 one-time | — | — | 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇧🇭 Bahrain | Golden Residency Visa for Talented Individuals | — | — | — | — | 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇧🇭 Bahrain | Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit (Investor) | — | BHD 100,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇧🇭 Bahrain | Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit (Property Owner) | — | BHD 50,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇧🇭 Bahrain | Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit (Retired Foreigner) | BHD 500 / month | — | — | — | 2 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇧🇩 Bangladesh | Investor Visa | — | $75,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇧🇹 Bhutan | Digital Nomad Residence Programme | No minimum income thresho... | — | — | — | 1 year — 2 years | No | — | ||
🇧🇹 Bhutan | Investor Card | — | BTN 15,000,000 one-time | — | — | 3 years | Yes | Yes (20yr) | ||
🇰🇭 Cambodia | Cambodia My 2nd Home (CM2H) | — | $100,000 one-time | — | — | 10 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇰🇭 Cambodia | Retirement Visa (ER Extension of Stay) | $1,500 / month | — | — | — | 1 month — 1 year | No | Yes | ||
🇨🇳 China | Permanent Residence Permit (Investment Category) | — | $500,000 one-time | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇨🇳 China | Private Affairs Residence Permit (Entrepreneurship) | — | — | — | CN¥50,000 one-time | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇬🇪 Georgia | Investment Residence Permit | — | $300,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes (10yr) | ||
🇬🇪 Georgia | IT Residence Permit | $25,000 / year | — | — | — | 3 years | Yes | Yes (10yr) | ||
🇬🇪 Georgia | Remotely from Georgia | $2,000 / month | — | — | — | 6 months — 1 year | Yes | — | ||
🇬🇪 Georgia | Short-Term Residence Permit (Property Ownership) | — | $150,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year | Yes | Yes | ||
🇭🇰 Hong Kong | Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs | — | — | — | No fixed minimum; must de... | 3 years | Yes | — | ||
🇭🇰 Hong Kong | New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme | — | HK$30,000,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — Permanent | Yes | — | ||
🇭🇰 Hong Kong | Quality Migrant Admission Scheme | — | — | — | — | 3 years — 8 years | Yes | — | ||
🇭🇰 Hong Kong | Top Talent Pass Scheme | HK$2,500,000 / year | — | — | — | 2 years — 3 years | Yes | — | ||
🇮🇳 India | Permanent Residency Status for Foreign Investors | — | ₹100,000,000 one-time | — | — | 10 years — 20 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇮🇩 Indonesia | Golden Visa (Global Talent) | $2,000 / month | — | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇮🇩 Indonesia | Golden Visa (Investor) | — | $350,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇮🇩 Indonesia | Remote Worker KITAS | $60,000 / year | — | — | — | 1 year — 2 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇮🇩 Indonesia | Retirement KITAS | $1,500 / month | — | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇮🇩 Indonesia | Silver Hair Visa | $3,000 / month | — | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | — | ||
🇮🇷 Iran | Investor Residence Permit | — | €100,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇮🇷 Iran | Special Residence Permit for Non-Iranian Elites | — | — | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇮🇶 Iraq | Investment Residency | — | No fixed minimum investme... | — | — | 1 year | No | Yes | ||
🇮🇱 Israel | B/5 Investor Visa | — | $220,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇮🇱 Israel | Innovation Visa for Foreign Entrepreneurs | — | — | — | No minimum capital requir... | 1 year — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇯🇵 Japan | Business Manager Visa | — | — | — | ¥30,000,000 one-time | 6 months — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇯🇵 Japan | Designated Activities (Long Stay for Sightseeing and Recreation) | ¥30,000,000 one-time | — | — | — | 6 months — 1 year | Yes | No | ||
🇯🇵 Japan | Digital Nomad Visa | ¥10,000,000 / year | — | — | — | 6 months | Yes | No | ||
🇯🇵 Japan | Future Creation Individual Visa (J-Find) | — | — | — | — | 6 months — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇯🇵 Japan | Startup Visa | — | — | — | No fixed minimum capital ... | 1 year — 2 years | No | — | ||
🇯🇴 Jordan | Annual Residence Permit Based on Bank Deposit | JOD 10,000 one-time | — | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇯🇴 Jordan | Citizenship by Investment | — | JOD 500,000 one-time | — | — | 3 years — Permanent | Yes | Yes (3yr) | ||
🇯🇴 Jordan | Residency by Investment | — | JOD 200,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | A6 Investor Visa (Golden Visa) | — | $300,000 one-time | — | — | 10 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | C5 Business Immigrant Visa | — | — | — | No minimum capital for sm... | 90 days — 2 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | Digital Nomad Residency | No minimum income require... | — | — | — | 1 year — 10 years | No | — | ||
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | Neo Nomad Visa | $3,000 / month | — | — | — | 1 year — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | Permanent Residence Visa for In-Demand Professions | — | — | — | — | 90 days — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇰🇼 Kuwait | Investor Residency Permit | — | No fixed minimum — KDIPA ... | — | — | 5 years — 15 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan | Digital Nomad Status | No fixed minimum income t... | — | — | — | 60 days — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan | Investment Visa | — | KGS 10,000,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | — | ||
🇱🇦 Laos | Investor Visa (NI-B2) | — | No universal fixed minimu... | — | — | 3 months — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇱🇧 Lebanon | Annual Residence Permit (Cash Bond Deposit) | Cash bond of 1,500,000,00... | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇱🇧 Lebanon | Permanent Residence Permit (Financial Independence) | Cash guarantee of 4,500,0... | — | — | — | 3 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇲🇴 Macau | Major Investment Temporary Residency | — | No fixed statutory minimu... | — | — | 18 months — 3 years | Yes | — | ||
🇲🇴 Macau | Talent Recruitment Residence Permit | — | — | — | — | 3 years — 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇲🇾 Malaysia | DE Rantau Nomad Pass | $2,000 / month | — | — | — | 3 months — 2 years | Yes | No | ||
🇲🇾 Malaysia | Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) | — | MYR 675,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 20 years | Yes | No | ||
🇲🇾 Malaysia | Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme (MTEP) | — | — | — | MYR 50,000 one-time | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇲🇾 Malaysia | Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) | — | MYR 1,000,000 one-time | — | — | 20 years | Yes | — | ||
🇲🇾 Malaysia | Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T) | MYR 15,000 / month | — | — | — | 10 years | Yes | — | ||
🇲🇻 Maldives | Corporate Resident Visa | — | $250,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years | Yes | No | ||
🇲🇳 Mongolia | Investor Visa | — | $100,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 3 years | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇳🇵 Nepal | Residential Visa for Investors | — | $100,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year | Yes | Yes | ||
🇳🇵 Nepal | Residential Visa for Persons of Exceptional Merit | — | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | No | ||
🇳🇵 Nepal | Residential Visa for Retirees | $20,000 / year | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | No | ||
🇴🇲 Oman | Golden Residency Program | — | OMR 250,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇴🇲 Oman | Retiree Residence Card | OMR 4,000 / month | — | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇵🇰 Pakistan | Business-Investor Visa | — | $50,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇵🇰 Pakistan | Long-Term Residency (LTR) | — | $50,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇵🇭 Philippines | Digital Nomad Visa | $2,000 / month | — | — | — | 1 year — 2 years | No | — | ||
🇵🇭 Philippines | Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV) | — | $75,000 one-time | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes (10yr) | ||
🇵🇭 Philippines | Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) | $800 / month | — | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇶🇦 Qatar | Mustaqel Visa (Entrepreneur) | — | — | — | QAR 250,000 one-time | 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇶🇦 Qatar | Mustaqel Visa (Talent) | — | — | — | — | 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇶🇦 Qatar | Real Estate Investment Residency | — | QAR 730,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Entrepreneur Residency | — | — | — | SAR 400,000 one-time | 5 years — Permanent | Yes | No | ||
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Gifted Premium Residency | — | — | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Investor Residency | — | SAR 7,000,000 one-time | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Real Estate Owner Residency | — | SAR 4,000,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year | Yes | Yes | ||
🇸🇬 Singapore | EntrePass (Entrepreneur Pass) | — | — | — | SGD 100,000 one-time | 1 year — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇸🇬 Singapore | Global Investor Programme (GIP) | — | SGD 10,000,000 one-time | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes (2yr) | ||
🇸🇬 Singapore | Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) | SGD 30,000 / month | — | — | — | 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇸🇬 Singapore | Tech.Pass | SGD 22,500 / month | — | — | — | 2 years — 4 years | Yes | — | ||
🇰🇷 South Korea | D-10 Job Seeker Visa | — | — | Must demonstrate sufficie... | — | 6 months — 1 year | No | — | ||
🇰🇷 South Korea | Immigrant Investor Scheme for Public Business | — | ₩1,500,000,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — Permanent | Yes | — | ||
🇰🇷 South Korea | Permanent Residence for Overseas Pension Beneficiaries | $6,083 / month | — | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇰🇷 South Korea | Technology Startup Visa | — | — | — | No fixed minimum capital ... | 1 year — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇰🇷 South Korea | Tourism and Leisure Facility Investment Immigration | — | ₩1,000,000,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — Permanent | Yes | — | ||
🇰🇷 South Korea | Workation (Digital Nomad) Visa | $6,083 / month | — | — | — | 1 year — 2 years | Yes | No | ||
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | Colombo Port City Investor Visa | — | $100,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | Condominium Investment Visa | — | $75,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | Digital Nomad Visa | $2,000 / month | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | No | ||
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | Golden Paradise Residence Visa | — | $100,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | Individual Investor Residence Visa | — | $100,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | No | ||
🇸🇾 Syria | Investment Residency Permit | — | No fixed minimum threshol... | — | — | 1 year — Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇼 Taiwan | Digital Nomad Visitor Visa | $40,000 / year | — | — | — | 6 months — 2 years | No | Yes | ||
🇹🇼 Taiwan | Employment Gold Card | — | — | — | — | 1 year — 3 years | Yes | Yes (3yr) | ||
🇹🇼 Taiwan | Entrepreneur Visa | — | — | — | NT$2,000,000 one-time | 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇼 Taiwan | Investor Resident Visa | — | $200,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 5 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇼 Taiwan | Plum Blossom Card (Investment APRC) | — | NT$15,000,000 one-time | — | — | Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇯 Tajikistan | Investor Visa (Category C) | — | $500,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) | THB 500,000 / funds | — | — | — | 180 days — 5 years | Yes | No | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | Long-Term Resident Visa (Work-from-Thailand Professionals) | $80,000 / year | — | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | LTR Visa (Wealthy Global Citizens) | — | $500,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | LTR Visa (Wealthy Pensioners) | $80,000 / year | — | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | Non-Immigrant Visa (Investment) | — | THB 10,000,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | Non-Immigrant Visa O-A (Long Stay) | THB 65,000 / month | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | Non-Immigrant Visa O-X (Long Stay 10 Years) | THB 3,000,000 one-time | — | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇭 Thailand | SMART Visa S (Startup) | — | — | — | THB 600,000 one-time | 6 months — 2 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇱 Timor-Leste | Business Visa Class II | — | — | — | No minimum capital thresh... | 6 months — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇱 Timor-Leste | Investor Residence Authorization | — | $1,500,000 one-time | — | — | 2 years — Permanent | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇷 Turkey | Citizenship by Investment | — | $400,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇷 Turkey | Digital Nomad Visa | $3,000 / month | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇷 Turkey | Short-Term Residence Permit (Tourism Purpose) | $1,200 / month | — | — | — | 6 months — 2 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇷 Turkey | Turkiye TechVisa (Startup) | — | — | — | — | 3 years | Yes | — | ||
🇹🇷 Turkey | Turquoise Card | — | — | — | — | 3 years — Permanent | Yes | Yes | ||
🇹🇲 Turkmenistan | Investor Residence Permit | — | $500,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes (7yr) | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Golden Visa (Entrepreneur) | — | — | — | AED 500,000 one-time | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Golden Visa (Investor) | — | AED 2,000,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years — 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Golden Visa (Talented Individuals) | — | — | — | — | 10 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Green Visa (Freelancer / Self-Employed) | AED 360,000 / year | — | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Green Visa (Investor/Partner) | — | AED 1,000,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years | Yes | Yes | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Job Exploration Visa | — | — | Must prove sufficient fun... | — | 60 days | No | — | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Retirement Visa | AED 20,000 / month | — | — | — | 5 years | Yes | No | ||
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Virtual Work Residence Permit | $3,500 / month | — | — | — | 1 year | Yes | No | ||
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | Golden Visa | — | $250,000 one-time | — | — | 5 years | Yes | No | ||
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | Investment Visa | — | $280,500 one-time | — | — | 3 years — Permanent | Yes | Yes (5yr) | ||
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | IT Visa | $2,500 / month | — | — | — | 1 year — 3 years | Yes | — | ||
🇻🇳 Vietnam | Investor Visa (DT1-DT4) | — | ₫3,000,000,000 one-time | — | — | 1 year — 10 years | Yes | — | ||
🇻🇳 Vietnam | Special Visa Exemption Card | — | — | — | — | 5 years | No | Yes |