Moving Without Chaos: What to Know When Moving Inside Kazakhstan or to Kazakhstan from Another Country

Moving always feels like a disaster until you break it down into steps. This article covers two full scenarios: moving inside Kazakhstan (from Almaty to Astana, from Shymkent to Karaganda or just to a neighboring district) and relocation to Kazakhstan from another country. No general advice like “choose a mover”. Only real steps that people actually use in 2026.

For citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan, moving has been simplified. The main thing is to register at your new place of residence within 10 calendar days of arrival. Since 2025, the service is fully online via eGov.kz or the eGov Mobile app. You need an EDS (or SMS password if you are in the mobile citizens database) and the consent of the property owner (they confirm with their own EDS in their account). The service is free and takes 15 minutes plus about an hour for approval.

If the owner is not online — go to the PSC together. Children under 14 are not registered separately.

This is more complicated. The receiving party (relative, employer or housing owner) must notify the migration service of your arrival within 3 working days via vmp.gov.kz or eQonaq.kz. The foreigner does not submit the notification themselves. Late notification results in a fine for the host.

Citizens of the EAEU can stay up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa. For longer stays, a temporary residence permit (RVP) is often issued. Rules depend on the country and purpose of stay — always check the latest information on egov.kz and vmp.gov.kz before traveling.

• ID card / passport (and foreign passport for foreigners).
• Birth certificates of children, marriage certificate.
• EDS (get it in advance if you don’t have one).
• Property documents (if selling/buying).
• Veterinary passport for pets.
• Medical cards, children’s vaccination records.

Photograph and save everything important in the cloud. Keep originals with you in your carry-on luggage.

Search on krisha.kz — it has the largest number of current listings.
Be sure to:
- Check the owner using their ID and certificate of registered rights.
- Sign a written contract (sample available on krisha.kz). Specify the rent amount, deposit, refund conditions, and frequency of apartment checks.
- Draw up an acceptance-transfer act with photos/videos of the apartment and property condition.
- The deposit is usually equal to one month’s rent.

Pay only after signing the contract and inspection. Avoid prepayment to “agents” without a meeting.

Compare the cost of transportation versus buying new items. It is often more profitable to sell large furniture and appliances on Kaspi or OLX and buy locally.

What to do with belongings:
- Make a list and sort by categories (clothes, kitchen, documents).
- Label boxes: “Kitchen”, “Children’s”, “Fragile”, “First Things Needed”.
- Valuable documents and gadgets — only carry-on.
- Choose a mover: check reviews, sign a contract with fixed volume and deadlines. Calculators are available on pereezdy.kz and from large logistics companies. Prices in 2026 have increased, but exact cost is given only after measurement.

For international relocation of personal belongings, customs limits apply (as of April 2024 and later: 500 euros / 25 kg by land for personal use). Always check current norms on egov.kz.

Categories (2026 prices depend on distance, volume and city — get 2–3 commercial quotes):

• Transportation of belongings + packaging + loaders
• Temporary housing (daily rent for 1–2 weeks)
• Rent + deposit + agency fee (if any)
• Utilities + connecting internet/communication
• Transport and taxis for the first days
• Buying dishes, cleaning supplies, household essentials
• Documents and government services
• Unforeseen expenses (10–15% of budget)

Add separate costs for children (new school uniform, stationery) and pets (veterinary).

Transfer to a new school is now done online via eGov.kz (service “Acceptance of documents for transferring children from school to school”). A parent submits an application with EDS; the system selects a school based on the micro-district.

For kindergarten — queue based on place of registration. Choose the district in advance if a state group is important. Bring the child’s medical card and vaccination certificate.

Within the country: veterinary certificate or passport with vaccination records (especially rabies).
For international relocation: microchip, international veterinary certificate, vaccinations no earlier than 30 days and no later than 12 months.
Airlines and trains have their own rules — book in advance.

30–60 days before:
- Decide what you are taking.
- Post ads to sell unneeded items.
- Get/check your EDS.
- Start looking for housing.

14 days before:
- Order transportation.
- Pack and label boxes.
- Prepare the rental agreement.

7 days before:
- Disconnect old services (internet if not transferring).
- Take meter readings.

1 day before:
- Pack an “emergency suitcase” (documents, medicines, chargers).

On moving day:
- Photograph/video the condition of the old and new apartment.
- Hand over keys.

First 7 days:
- Register at the new address.
- Connect internet and utilities.
- Buy the bare minimum for living.

First 30 days:
- Transfer children to school/kindergarten.
- Change polyclinic (attachment online).
- Unpack belongings and set up everyday life.

7 days: registration, local operator SIM card, internet, first purchases (dishes, bedding).
30 days: school/kindergarten, polyclinic, bank cards, getting used to the new district.

• Not signing a rental agreement.
• Not documenting the apartment condition.
• Bringing everything instead of selling.
• Forgetting about EDS and registration.
• Not checking the housing owner.
• Delaying connection of internet and utilities.

Before entry:
- Check entry and stay rules on egov.kz.
- The receiving party submits the arrival notification.
- Prepare documents for RVP (if needed).
- Get an IIN (can be done online).

After arrival:
- Buy a local SIM (Beeline, Tele2, Kcell).
- Open a bank account (needs IIN and document).
- Get medical insurance.
- Choose temporary housing for the first 2–4 weeks.
- Transport personal belongings within customs limits.

Rules differ for citizens of different countries — check the latest information on official resources before moving.

Moving is a new beginning, not the end of the world. Break the process into steps, document everything on paper and in photos — and there will be no chaos.

• Rental housing — direct link after the housing search section (reader goes straight to practice).
• Short-term rental — in the temporary housing section.
• Utilities — after the first days section.
• Home internet — next to connecting services.
• Mobile communication — in the relocators and first 7 days section.
• Parcel delivery — in the belongings transportation section.
• Furniture / Household goods — when we say “more profitable to buy locally”.
• Family budget — in the expense calculation section.
• Kindergarten / School — in the children section.
• Taxi / Public transport — in first expenses.
• Cleaning / Apartment repair — in the first 30 days checklist.
• Home safety — in the rental agreement tips.

• egov.kz — services for registration at place of residence for RK citizens, entry and stay rules for foreigners, customs norms for importing personal goods (data as of April 2026).
• krisha.kz — recommendations on rental agreements, housing checks and contract samples (articles 2025–2026).
• vmp.gov.kz and eQonaq.kz — information on notification of foreigners’ stay.
• Official changes in registration and migration rules 2025–2026 (zakon.kz, gov.kz).
• Movers and calculators (pereezdy.kz, DELLA, etc.) — for understanding price structure.

All data checked at the time of writing (April 2026). Migration, customs and government service rules may change — always double-check on egov.kz and other official resources before moving. The article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.

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Need help calculating your budget or finding housing in a specific city? Go to the “Individual Consultation” section on the website — we’ll help you create a personal plan.