Who can participate in the Ata Zholy card project to start a business

The Ata Zholy card is a document issued to ethnic Kazakhs located abroad to implement a business case in their historical homeland and serve scarce specialists in the country. Cardholders are allowed permanent residence on the territory of the republic for up to 10 years with the preservation of citizenship. This document can be obtained by contacting the Kutty Meken mobile application or by contacting the Embassy of Kazakhstan.

This map was developed in accordance with the concept of Kazakhstan's migration policy for 2023-2027 to attract professionals and successful entrepreneurs to the country.

According to the rules, the Ata Zholy card is provided to ethnic Kazakhs living abroad who correspond to one of three categories:

• The availability of professions for persons who have a simplified procedure for admission to citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
• the candidate has sought-after professions in Kazakhstan;
• the presence of an operating business registered in the country of permanent residence or citizenship.
• To receive the 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 notifies the recipient of the submission of the document through this application.

The Ata Zholy card can be obtained in the Kutty Meken application.

After that, an ethnic Kazakh can apply for a visa at the foreign office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan or (in a visa-free regime with the country of residence) immediately come to the country in accordance with the Kazakh order of entry and stay of immigrants.

Upon arrival, the holder of the Ata Zholy card must apply to the territorial bodies of internal affairs for a residence permit for a period of 10 years with the possibility of extension.

Depending on the category from which the Card is obtained, an ethnic Kazakh either signs a contract with an employer and registers it in the "unified system of accounting for employment contracts", or proceeds to implement his business plan.

The main difference between Ata Zholy cardholders and ethnic Kazakhs is that, while remaining citizens of another country, they have the same rights as citizens and Kandases.

Thus, they will have the opportunity to find employment or carry out entrepreneurial activities in accordance with Kazakh legislation, make social payments and receive services within the guaranteed volume of medical care, free secondary education, participate in a competition for free specialized secondary or higher education in public institutions or paid tuition in private educational institutions, etc.

In addition, holders of the Ata Zholy card have the opportunity to obtain citizenship of Kazakhstan in a simplified manner.

It is worth noting that persons with the Ata Zholy card do not have the right to elect and be elected to state and local government bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan, cannot participate in the republican referendum and work in public service.