The Ata Zholy card is a special document issued to ethnic Kazakhs who have specialties in short supply in the country or successful business cases to realize their potential in Kazakhstan. The card gives the right to permanent residence in the territory of the republic without losing their current citizenship for up to 10 years. To obtain a document, you must submit an application through the Kutty Meken mobile application, or contact the embassies of Kazakhstan, Turanews.kz reports..
According to the Ministry of Labor, this card was developed in accordance with the instruction of the Head of State, voiced in the Message to the people of Kazakhstan dated September 1, 2022, “A Just State. United nation. Prosperous Society,” as well as in accordance with the Concept of the Migration Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2023-2027 for the development of human potential, strengthening ties with the historical homeland and preserving national traditions, as well as attracting professional specialists and successful businessmen to the country.
In accordance with the Rules, the Ata Zholy card is provided to ethnic Kazakhs living abroad who meet one of three categories:
- The presence of a profession, in relation to the owners of which a simplified procedure for granting citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan is established.
- The applicant has a profession in demand in Kazakhstan.
- Ownership of an operating business registered in the country of permanent residence or citizenship.
To obtain a document, you must submit an application through the Kutty Meken mobile application, or contact the Embassy of Kazakhstan.
After registration, the application is considered within five working days, after which the local executive body in the field of social protection and employment of the population through the same application notifies the recipient of the provision of the document.
You can get the Ata Zholy card in the Kutty Meken application.
After that, an ethnic Kazakh can apply to a foreign office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan for a visa, or (in the case of a visa-free regime with the country of residence) immediately go to the republic, in accordance with the Kazakhstan Procedure for Entry and Stay of Immigrants.
Upon arrival, the holder of the Ata Zholy card must apply to the territorial internal affairs bodies to obtain a residence permit for a period of 10 years, with the possibility of extension.
Depending on the category for which the card was received, an ethnic Kazakh either signs an agreement with the employer and registers it in the Unified System for Recording Employment Contracts, or proceeds to implement his business plan.
The main difference between ethnic Kazakhs with the Ata Zholy card is that they have almost the same rights as citizens and kandas, while remaining a citizen of another country.
Thus, they have access to the right to employment or entrepreneurial activities in accordance with Kazakh legislation, the opportunity to make social payments and receive services within the guaranteed volume of medical care, receive free secondary education, participate in the competition for free secondary specialized or higher education in state institutions or study for a fee in private educational institutions, etc.
In addition, Ata Zholy card holders have the opportunity to obtain citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan in a simplified manner.
It should be noted that at the same time, persons who have an Ata Zholy card do not have the right to elect and be elected to state bodies and local self-government bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan, cannot participate in a republican referendum and work in the civil service.
