Kazakhstan has long sought to cultivate a positive image abroad, as reflected in its foreign direct investment. By mid-2025, the country had attracted $9.4 billion from Eurasian nations alone, securing the top position among Central Asian nations. On the tourism front, 7.5 million foreigners visited Kazakhstan in the first half of 2025, with growth also recorded in related service sectors. The country’s visa-free regime with several nations likely contributed to the increase.
Yet statistics reveal little about everyday life, particularly for foreigners who have made Kazakhstan their temporary or long-term home. To look beyond the numbers, The Times of Central Asia spoke with expatriates living across the country.
Expectations vs. Reality
Most interviewees admitted to having few expectations before their arrival, citing limited awareness of Kazakhstan in their home countries. One recounted a peculiar question posed by their family before departure: “People don’t really talk about Kazakhstan very often in the U.S., and when they do, they’re often very misinformed about what life is like here. For example, my family asked if I would have running water.”
While few voiced concerns about basic amenities, several mentioned the difficulty of finding specific goods and services.
“It can be frustrating sometimes trying to find specific items, and line culture (waiting one’s turn) is non-existent. It’s definitely every man for himself,” said one expat.
The same individual noted that although bureaucratic procedures can be cumbersome, essential services, such as obtaining a personal identification number, remain accessible, a sentiment echoed by others.
Those living in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s southern capital, praised the public transportation system while acknowledging worsening traffic:
“Traffic jams have become awful over the past two years, but that’s a problem in all major cities,” said a French expat. “It’s a shame there are no more city bike rentals. I really hope they’ll come back in the spring.”
Downtown Almaty; image: TCA
Adapting to Society and Intentions to Stay
Most respondents said they had few difficulties adjusting to life in Kazakhstan, crediting their ability to communicate in Russian as a key factor in social integration and building local friendships. Three interviewees said they spent more time with fellow expatriates, with two attributing this to the nature of their stay, while one felt his professional and daily interactions with locals were sufficient.
One interviewee said their smooth adaptation was helped by the modernity of Kazakhstan’s major cities: “I’ve spent some time out in the Karaganda region, in small villages. I think adapting there would be a much bigger adjustment,” they told TCA.
All interviewees described locals as exceptionally hospitable, even to strangers: “You always hear about hospitality being important here and in other Central Asian countries. Whenever we needed help, friends or even people we didn’t know were incredibly helpful.”
In discussing professional environments, most agreed that work culture is far more relaxed than in the West. However, one noted a downside: “In Kazakhstan, there’s a very strict hierarchy. Of course, it varies by firm, but in more traditional companies, entry-level workers are expected to grind things out, work hard, and not question their superiors.”
When asked about plans to stay, most indicated that anything beyond a year would depend on pay and visa conditions. One also cited political dynamics as a factor: “I wouldn’t want to live here long-term if the political situation starts resembling some of the countries that neighbor Kazakhstan.”
No one expressed concerns about their personal safety. However, one expat highlighted the lack of social safety nets: “Kazakhstan has a cash-based mentality to the extent that many people don’t think about what their money can do for them, like saving for retirement or building a pension. Also, I couldn’t see myself living in an apartment forever.”
Baiterek, Astana; image: TCA
Overall Migration Trends
In 2024, 29,282 people arrived in Kazakhstan for permanent residence, while 12,732 left the country. The vast majority of these movements involved Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, 81.6% of arrivals and 74.8% of departures.
Among non-CIS nations, the largest numbers of arrivals came from China, Mongolia, and Turkey. Departures were primarily to Germany, Poland, and the U.S.
As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, by December 1, 2025, a total of 14,103 foreign citizens were officially employed in Kazakhstan under permits issued by local executive authorities.
