Ethnic Kazakhs holding citizenship from other countries are being issued "Ata Zholy" cards, as reported by Tengrinews.kz, citing the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population.
This card provides the opportunity to obtain a residence permit for 10 years, as well as the ability to work and conduct business in Kazakhstan in any chosen settlement region. Currently, 65 such cards have already been issued.
"27 cards have been issued to business immigrants ready to develop their businesses in our republic, while 38 cards have been granted to in-demand specialists. Among those who received the 'Ata Zholy' card are professionals such as physicists, mathematicians, chemical technologists, maxillofacial surgeons, pediatricians, and others arriving from Russia, Germany, Mongolia, China, the USA, Israel, France, the UK, the Netherlands, Finland, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan," the statement said.
The "Ata Zholy" card has been implemented to strengthen ties with the historical homeland, preserve national traditions, and attract professionals and successful entrepreneurs to the country to realize their potential in Kazakhstan.
"The card is provided to ethnic Kazakhs living abroad without loss of citizenship," the information clarifies.
It is noted that an ethnic Kazakh with an "Ata Zholy" card has equal rights with the citizens of Kazakhstan and kandas.
"Individuals holding the 'Ata Zholy' card do not have the right to vote or be elected to the parliament and maslikhats of the Republic of Kazakhstan, participate in national referendums, and do not have access to state service. The 'Ata Zholy' card becomes invalid if its holder obtains citizenship of Kazakhstan," the statement indicates.
Holders of the "Ata Zholy" card and their family members can enjoy rights to:
- receive social benefits and services in medical institutions within the framework of the guaranteed volume of medical assistance;
- employment in Kazakhstan in accordance with the Labor Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Population Migration";
- engage in entrepreneurial activities in Kazakhstan in accordance with the Entrepreneurial Code and other legal acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
- receive free secondary education in state educational institutions, competitive access to free secondary specialized and/or higher education in state secondary specialized and/or higher educational institutions, as well as paid education in private educational institutions in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Education";
- obtain guaranteed state legal assistance in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Advocacy and Legal Assistance";
- acquire citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan in a simplified manner in accordance with international treaties and legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of citizenship.
It is reminded that the "Ata Zholy" card was implemented at the direction of the Head of State starting in July 2023 for ethnic Kazakhs living abroad, with a focus on simplifying entry and exit from the country.
"Wherever Kazakhs live, their only homeland is Kazakhstan. Therefore, it is always important for us to support our compatriots living abroad," said the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, as quoted in the information.
Previously, we reported on how many Kazakhs have returned to their historical homeland since 1991.
