Test for permanent residency in Kazakhstan: new rules from February 2026
EL.KZ Информационно-познавательный портал
Kazakhstan is introducing mandatory test for foreign citizens applying for permanent residency, El.kz reports.
From February 3 to 10, applications will be accepted for participation in the citizenship test. The exam itself is scheduled for February 11 and will be held in the format of a centralized computer-based test organized by the National Testing Center.
“Applications can be submitted on the National Testing Center’s website,app.testcenter.kz, or via the UTO app,” the message reads.
This is a fundamentally new procedure that has not previously existed in Kazakhstan. Until now, applicants were only required to meet formal criteria. For the first time, the state is introducing an assessment of knowledge of the language, history, and the foundations of the constitutional system.
How the test will be conducted
The exam includes three sections and lasts 2 hours and 10 minutes. It assesses knowledge of the Kazakh language, the fundamentals of the Constitution, and knowledge of Kazakhstan’s history. To pass, applicants must score at least 50 points out of a possible 100.
Participation in the test is paid. The exam fee is set at 14,693 tenge, a practice test is available for 3,355 tenge via the National Testing Center’s digital platforms.
Applications can be submitted online without visiting government offices for people with disabilities.
How residency tests work in other countries
Test for residency is well-established practice in other countries. In Germany, citizenship candidates must pass a mandatory test on history, rights, and the foundations of the political system; In the United Kingdom, the Life in the UK test includes questions about the political system and social norms.
In USA, the process includes a test on the country’s history and Constitution, as well as an interview. Canada tests knowledge of citizens’ rights and responsibilities, key historical events, and the system of government.
In France, the emphasis is on language proficiency and understanding the values of the republic, while in the Netherlands the exam is supplemented by an assessment of social integration. Switzerland’s process is even more complex, with candidates potentially interviewed at the federal, cantonal, and communal
What does it mean for applicants
Exam preparation becomes a mandatory part of the process, as it has long been in Europe and North America. For the state, this is a step toward a more structured and transparent system; for applicants, it is a clear signal of the requirements.
In this way, Kazakhstan aligns itself with global practice, where residency is viewed as a conscious choice and demonstrated knowledge of the country, rather than a paper formality
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