Month: May 2025

Kazakhstan has approved new regulations allowing foreign nationals to obtain an investor visa, a move aimed at boosting the country’s investment appeal and fostering long-term business partnerships, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Under the new framework, foreign nationals who invest a minimum of $300,000 into the charter capital of Kazakh companies or in locally listed securities can apply electronically for an investor visa. This so-called “golden visa” also offers the opportunity to obtain a residence permit valid for up to 10 years.

The Ministry highlights that similar visa programs in Europe, the United States, the UAE, and Singapore have proven effective in attracting capital, technology, and business activity. With this initiative, Kazakhstan joins a growing number of countries adopting investment residency schemes.

The introduction of “golden visas” aims to create a more favorable and predictable environment for foreign investors by offering legal protections and reinforcing trust in Kazakhstan’s investment climate. The initiative reflects the government’s broader strategy of promoting openness, safeguarding capital, and developing sustainable international economic partnerships.

Kazakhstan has recently launched several new visa categories, including the Neo Nomad Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, and Residence Visa, to attract business migrants, skilled professionals, and international visitors.

The Digital Nomad Visa provides long-term residency options for freelancers, self-employed entrepreneurs, IT specialists, and startup founders.

The Neo Nomad Visa is tailored for remote workers who travel while working. Applicants must demonstrate a verified monthly income of at least $3,000, along with valid health insurance and a clean criminal record.

The Residence Visa targets foreign professionals in medicine, science, innovation, education, and the creative industries. It allows recipients to stay in Kazakhstan for up to 90 days.

According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, 15.3 million people visited Kazakhstan in 2024, a 66% increase compared to the previous year.

On April 29, an interagency delegation from Uzbekistan visited Moscow for the inaugural session of the Uzbekistan–Russia working group on labor migration and migrant rights. The Prosecutor General’s Office of Uzbekistan reported that the delegation was led by Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prosecutor General Shohrukh Aminov.

The Russian delegation was headed by Deputy Prosecutor General Pyotr Gorodov and included representatives from the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Federal Security Service, and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Internal Affairs.

Uzbekistan’s delegation comprised officials from the Prosecutor General’s Office, the State Security Service, the Migration Agency, and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, and Health.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the current state of labor migration, identified ongoing challenges, and explored potential solutions. They agreed to develop joint measures to regulate legal migration while balancing the interests of both countries.

The delegations also agreed to strengthen oversight of the rights of Uzbek citizens working in Russia and Russian citizens visiting Uzbekistan. Both countries’ Prosecutor General’s Offices pledged to closely monitor the protection of migrant rights.

At the conclusion of the meeting, a protocol was signed outlining the decisions made. The implementation of these agreements will be jointly monitored by both Prosecutor General’s Offices.

The session followed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s recent visit to Uzbekistan, during which he stressed the importance of migrants understanding Russian laws and language. While warning of an increase in migrant-related crime, he also acknowledged Russia’s ongoing need for foreign labor.

On April 29, the United Nations General Assembly officially declared a new international observance — the International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes. The initiative, jointly proposed by Chile, the Philippines, and Uzbekistan, received widespread support from UN member states. The day will be commemorated annually to honor the victims of past earthquakes and raise awareness about seismic risks and disaster preparedness.

Earthquakes remain among the deadliest natural disasters in human history, responsible for massive destruction and loss of life. Most recently, on March 28, a powerful earthquake in Myanmar claimed more than 3,700 lives. In Turkey and Syria, millions are still recovering from the devastating earthquakes of 2023, which killed over 55,000 people.

Uzbekistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ulugbek Lapasov, stated that the declaration is not only a tribute to victims but also a global call to action. “We thank all member states who supported the resolution, as well as the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction for their help,” he stated.

Uzbekistan has itself experienced devastating earthquakes. One of the most significant occurred in the early morning of April 26, 1966, when a powerful earthquake struck the capital city of Tashkent. The disaster left 300,000 people homeless and caused severe damage to homes, schools, hospitals, and factories. Eight people were killed, and about 150 were injured.

Important documents and photographs from the 1966 disaster are preserved in the Central State Archive of Tashkent.

Located in a seismically active region, Tashkent has a long history of earthquakes. Historical sources, including the writings of 19th-century historian Muhammad Solih, document earlier seismic events, such as the destructive earthquake of April 1866, which caused widespread damage to mosques and homes and many deaths.

The city’s history of resilience lives on today. Many of Tashkent’s buildings, decorated with colorful mosaics, were built during the post-earthquake reconstruction.