Current as of August 5, 2026. In 2026, 1 MCI equals ₸4,325. Amounts in tenge are converted from MCI at the 2026 rate and may change in following years.
What an RVP is and why you need it
Put simply, an RVP is a legal way to live in Kazakhstan longer than the visa-free regime allows, without "burning out" on the stay limit. Citizens of a number of countries (Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Russia) may stay in the country without a permit for up to 90 days within every 180 days. The "exit-and-re-enter" trick to reset the clock no longer works: to stay longer you need an RVP, and it is best to apply within the first 90 days from entry. Citizens of Uzbekistan have 30 days to apply.
It is important to understand from the outset: an RVP is not granted "just because" but for a specific purpose of stay. No legal ground (for example, an employment contract) — no permit.
Grounds for obtaining an RVP
An RVP is issued to those who come with a clear purpose. The main grounds are:
- work — under an employment or civil-law contract;
- study — at a Kazakhstani educational institution;
- medical treatment;
- family reunification — an accompanying RVP for family members;
- business activity — business-immigrant status to set up or run a business;
- missionary activity.
The permit's validity is tied to the ground. For example, for employment an RVP is issued for the term of the contract, but for a maximum of one year. For EAEU citizens the term may in certain cases be longer. In any event, an RVP cannot be valid longer than your national passport.
Documents for an RVP (using employment as an example)
The exact set depends on the ground. For the most common case — employment — the applicant is the employer, and the following are usually required:
- an application form (submitted by the employer);
- a copy of the foreigner's passport;
- medical insurance;
- proof of housing: if the housing is not owned by the foreigner — the owner's notarized consent;
- an employment contract registered in the ESUTD (the unified system for registering employment contracts); for EAEU citizens this is mandatory. A civil-law contract also works if the relevant permits from the local executive authorities are in place.
Documents in a foreign language are translated into Kazakh or Russian. For some grounds a certificate of no criminal record, proof of income, apostilles and translations may also be required — it is best to check the set of documents in advance at a TsON or on the eGov.kz portal.
Where to apply and how long to wait
An RVP application is submitted to a TsON (Public Service Center) at the place of registration — for employment this is the employer's place of registration. It can also be submitted through a migration-service office or the eGov.kz portal. The public service is provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan. By regulation, for employment the service fits within one business day from submitting the complete set, and in this case the service itself is free.
What not to forget after getting an RVP
After obtaining an RVP there are several obligations, and breaching them carries fines under Kazakhstan's Administrative Offences Code:
- Change of employer. When moving to a new employer, the RVP must be updated within 15 days.
- Exit and return. If you leave and return before the permit expires, you do not need to reissue it, but the employer must notify the migration service of your arrival within 3 days.
- End of the ground. When the employment contract ends, the RVP "expires" with it: extending the permit without a valid purpose makes no sense.
What an RVP does and does not give you
An RVP removes everyday obstacles but does not turn a foreigner into a permanent resident. With it you can, for example, enroll a child in a school at your place of residence, and — with formal employment and contributions to the Social Health Insurance Fund — use care at state clinics.
At the same time an RVP has important limits: it does not allow you to register as a sole proprietor and does not give the right to buy real estate in Kazakhstan. Those steps require a different, more "permanent" status.
RVP, permanent residence and residence permit card: the difference
These three are often confused, though they are different stages:
- RVP — a temporary residence permit, for a specific purpose, for a maximum of one year (renewable). Good for living legally and, for example, working.
- Permanent residence permit — the next stage for those who want to stay long-term. The service is provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs; processing takes 45 calendar days and costs 4 MCI (₸17,300 in 2026).
- Residence permit card (VNZh) — a document issued after obtaining permanent residence that confirms the foreigner's right to permanent residence. It is issued for 10 years (or for the validity of the passport), costs 0.2 MCI (₸865 in 2026), and takes up to 17 business days (up to 7 on an expedited basis).
This difference is crucial for business: to open a sole proprietorship a foreigner needs a residence permit card (permanent residence), whereas to found an LLP an RVP or a visa is enough. More on this in the article how a foreigner can open an LLP.
Common mistakes
In practice, three things get in the way most often. First — focusing on the form instead of the ground: without an employment contract or another legal purpose, an RVP won't be issued no matter how you fill in the papers. Second — housing: the owner agreed verbally but there is no notarized consent, and the application is turned away. Third — forgotten notification deadlines (of return, of change of employer), which bring a fine. The fix is simple: gather proof of purpose in advance, have the housing consent notarized, and keep the contract dates under control.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How long is an RVP valid?
The term is tied to the purpose of stay and does not exceed 1 year (longer in certain cases for EAEU citizens). In any event, no longer than the validity of your passport.
How much does an RVP cost?
For employment the service is free. For other grounds the set of documents and the cost may differ.
Can you register as a sole proprietor with an RVP?
No. An RVP does not give the right to register as a sole proprietor — for that you need a residence permit card. But you can found an LLP with an RVP.
How long does an RVP take to process?
By regulation, for employment it is one business day from the moment the complete set of documents is submitted.
What happens if you miss the deadline?
A missed deadline means a fine for both the foreigner and the host party. It is important to keep track of the permit's validity and file documents on time.
How does an RVP differ from a residence permit card?
An RVP is a temporary permit for a specific purpose (up to a year). A residence permit card (VNZh) is a document for permanent residence, issued for 10 years after obtaining a permanent residence permit.
How we can help
You can get turnkey services from us:
- LLP registration and changes — company registration, changes of director, participants, activity codes, address and name.
- Accounting and tax bookkeeping — records, reporting and taxes turnkey, with liability fixed in the contract.
This material is for information only and is not legal advice. The set of documents, timelines and service costs may change. Before applying, check the current information on the eGov.kz portal, at a TsON or with the migration service of Kazakhstan's Ministry of Internal Affairs. Current as of August 5, 2026.