← Back to results

Kazakhstan

Astana · Kazakh / Russian

Central Asia's economic leader — Almaty and Astana offer surprisingly modern infrastructure, rock-bottom prices, and a Russian-speaking environment ideal for CIS expats.

Cost of living
$500/mo
Rent (1-bed)
$350/mo
Income tax
10%
Currency
KZT (Kazakhstani Tenge)
Safety
7
Internet
50 Mbps
Quality of Life
6
Pros
  • Very low cost of living
  • Russian-speaking environment
  • Fast-growing economy (Almaty, Astana)
  • Low flat tax (10%)
  • Easy access to CIS countries
  • Modern infrastructure in major cities
Cons
  • −Language barrier (Kazakh/Russian)
  • −Limited nightlife outside cities
  • −Extreme continental climate
  • −Limited English
  • −Less developed in rural areas
Visa-free 30 days (many countries)Temporary ResidenceWork PermitInvestor Visa
✈️ Pre-departure checklist
  • ✅Visa-free entry: up to 30 days — no visa needed
  • 🏥Get travel / health insurance (min $50 000 coverage)
  • 💳Notify your bank; get a no-foreign-fee card (Wise, Revolut)
  • 📱Get a local SIM on arrival (avg internet 50 Mbps)
  • 🏠Book accommodation for first 3–7 days (easier to find long-term rental on the ground)
  • 📄Make copies of passport, insurance, bookings — store in cloud & email to yourself
  • 💰Bring some KZT (Kazakhstani Tenge) cash for the first few days
  • 🗣Download Google Translate offline pack for the local language