Homeland calls: Kazakhstan issues special cards to ethnic Kazakhs abroad

©️ Tengrinews.kz / Turar Kazangapov

Tengrinews.kz – Ethnic Kazakhs who have citizenship in other countries are being given "Ata Zholy" cards, according to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population.

This card allows one to obtain a 10-year residence permit, as well as work and conduct business in Kazakhstan in any chosen region of settlement. Currently, 65 such cards have already been issued.

"27 cards were received by business immigrants who are ready to develop their business in our republic, and 38 cards were received by sought-after specialists. Among those who received the ‘Ata Zholy’ card are specialists such as engineer-physicists, engineer-mathematicians, chemical engineers, maxillofacial surgeons, pediatricians and others who arrived from Russia, Germany, Mongolia, China, the USA, Israel, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Finland, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan," the report says.

The "Ata Zholy" card was introduced to strengthen ties with the historical homeland, preserve national traditions, attract professionals and successful businessmen to the country to realize their potential in Kazakhstan.

"The card is provided to ethnic Kazakhs living abroad without losing their citizenship," the information states.

It is noted that an ethnic Kazakh with an "Ata Zholy" card has equal rights with citizens of Kazakhstan and kandases.

"Persons with an ‘Ata Zholy’ card do not have the right to vote and be elected to the parliament and maslikhats of the Republic of Kazakhstan, participate in a national referendum and do not have access to civil service. The ‘Ata Zholy’ card is considered invalid if its owner receives citizenship of Kazakhstan," the message states.

Holders of the "Ata Zholy" card and their family members can enjoy the rights to:

receiving social benefits and services in medical institutions within the guaranteed volume of medical care;
employment in the territory of Kazakhstan in accordance with the Labor Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Population Migration";
carrying out entrepreneurial activities in the territory of Kazakhstan in accordance with the Entrepreneurial Code and other legal acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
obtaining free secondary education in state educational institutions, on a competitive basis free secondary specialized and / or higher education in state secondary specialized and / or higher educational institutions, paid education in private educational institutions in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Education";
receiving state-guaranteed legal assistance in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Advocacy and Legal Assistance";
acquisition of citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan in a simplified manner in accordance with international treaties and legislative legal acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of citizenship.
It is recalled that the "Ata Zholy" card, on the instructions of the Head of State, was introduced in July 2023 for ethnic Kazakhs living abroad, with the development of the issue of simplified entry/exit from the country.

"Wherever the 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, whose words are quoted in the information.

In addition, since Kazakhstan's independence in 1991, 1,146,400 ethnic Kazakhs have returned to their historical homeland.