Kazakhstan eases language test requirements for citizenship

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education has proposed easing citizenship requirements by lowering the minimum score needed on the Kazakh language test, according to a draft order published on the government’s Legalacts.egov.kz portal.

New requirements

Under the proposed changes, foreigners seeking to obtain or restore Kazakhstani citizenship would need to score at least 15 points on the Kazakh language exam, down from the previous 36 points. The minimum score on the basics of the Constitution would increase to 20 points from 9, while the minimum score for knowledge of Kazakhstan’s history would remain at 15 points.

The new rules would standardize the number of questions across subjects and reduce the overall passing score by 10%.

The ministry stated that the changes would not compromise national security or have negative consequences. Officials said the simplified requirements are intended to make it easier for foreigners to pass the test while maintaining a fair and consistent assessment process.

Background

Subparagraph 14 of Article 17 of Kazakhstan’s Law «On Citizenship» states that applications for citizenship or restoration of citizenship will be rejected if the applicant lacks elementary knowledge of the state language, the fundamentals of the Constitution or the history of Kazakhstan — as determined by the authorized body (the Ministry of Science and Higher Education).

While no formal written exam was previously required, as of 2024, applicants must pass a state-administered test demonstrating knowledge of the Kazakh language.

On Oct. 8, 2024, the Minister of Science and Higher Education issued an order setting the minimum passing scores for citizenship and citizenship restoration applicants: at least 36 points for elementary-level knowledge of the Kazakh language, at least 9 points on the basics of the Constitution and at least 15 points on the history of Kazakhstan.

In May 2025, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law explicitly outlining new grounds for denying applications for Kazakh citizenship or its restoration, including a lack of basic knowledge of the state language.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs said the new requirements are intended to help foreigners integrate more easily into Kazakh society.

These amendments align with international practice, according to Shyngys Alekeshev, spokesman for the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In many countries, citizenship applicants must pass exams on the nation’s history and language. For example, Germany has strict language proficiency and cultural knowledge requirements for prospective citizens. In Canada, applicants must demonstrate knowledge of the country’s history, civic duties and pass a language test in either English or French, depending on the province. In Turkey, proficiency in the Turkish language is mandatory for those seeking citizenship through the standard process. 

How to obtain Kazakhstani citizenship?

Notably, more than 90,000 foreigners have obtained Kazakhstani citizenship over the past four years. The process involves both state authorities and private companies that help applicants submit their documents more efficiently. Demand for these services has risen significantly since the start of the war in Ukraine.

One key requirement that distinguishes Kazakhstan from some other countries is that applicants must renounce their previous citizenship to become citizens of Kazakhstan. There are two paths to citizenship: standard and facilitated.

The facilitated citizenship option is available to:

• Ethnic Kazakhs returning to Kazakhstan after living abroad (kandas).
• Foreigners married to Kazakhstani citizens.
• Citizens of the former USSR countries with relatives in Kazakhstan.
• Citizens of Russia, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan.
• Ethnic Kazakhs from abroad studying at Kazakh universities.
• Victims of political repression and their descendants.
• Children of Kazakhstani citizens.

All other applicants must follow the standard procedure.