Choosing a remote‑work visa in Central Asia? Read our side‑by‑side comparison of Kazakhstan’s Neo Nomad Visa and alternatives to find the best option for entrepreneurs.
How to choose: Decision Framework, Checklist and Next Steps
Choosing the right remote‑work visa in Central Asia can make or break an entrepreneur’s plans to scale, hire, and operate internationally. This article compares Kazakhstan’s Neo Nomad Visa with other Central Asian remote‑work options, focusing on eligibility, costs, tax implications, family provisions, and practical living considerations for digital nomads and founders. You’ll get a clear side‑by‑side comparison, real‑world scenarios, and a decision framework that prioritizes business needs, tax exposure, and lifestyle preferences.
Whether you’re weighing Kazakhstan against Uzbekistan, Georgia, or regional alternatives, this guide highlights the tradeoffs entrepreneurs care about: proof of income, permitted activities, duration and renewals, ease of application, and local business‑friendly infrastructure. Read on for a concise verdict, a downloadable checklist, and actionable next steps so you can choose the visa that aligns with your growth plans and personal priorities. By the end you’ll know which visa minimizes friction and maximizes entrepreneurial freedom in Central Asia today.
Side‑by‑Side Comparison
Kazakhstan (Neo Nomad B12‑1), Uzbekistan (IT / My Second Home pathways), and Georgia (Remotely from Georgia / visa‑free year) each offer distinct tradeoffs: Kazakhstan = higher income threshold but clear one‑year nomad visa, Uzbekistan = strongest long‑term IT/investor routes, Georgia = easiest entry, lowest financial bar and best tax flexibility. The side‑by‑side table and decision framework below can help nomads and entrepreneurs pick the best fit for themselves.
| Visa | Validity | Income requirement | Family & work | Application route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kazakhstan Neo Nomad (B12‑1) | Up to 1 year, extendable 1 year. | $3,000/month (bank statements 6 months). | Family may join; no local employment allowed. | Apply via Kazakh consulate; document checklist required. |
| Uzbekistan IT / My Second Home | IT visa: up to 3 years; My Second Home: 1 year pilot. | IT visa: ~$30,000/year (IT applicants); My Second Home: varies (proof of funds). | IT visa supports family; investor routes allow residency and local services. | IT visa via IT Park portal; e‑visa or investment/residence applications for other paths. |
| Georgia (Remotely / visa‑free) | Up to 360–365 days (visa‑free for many nationalities). | $2,000/month OR $24,000 savings alternative. | Family can accompany; low barriers to banking; limited tax until 183 days. | Online application or enter visa‑free and register; simple online portal. |
Decision Framework
- If you need predictability and a formal nomad visa: prioritize Kazakhstan for a clear B12‑1 pathway and one‑year validity. (Best if you meet $3,000/mo).
- If you’re in tech and want longer stability or residency: prioritize Uzbekistan IT or investor routes (multi‑year, family benefits).
- If low friction, low cost, and tax flexibility matter: prioritize Georgia (easy entry, $2,000/mo or savings option, strong nomad infrastructure).
Key Risks, Limitations, and Action Steps
- Policy changes: rules are evolving; always verify with official consulate pages before applying.
- Tax residency traps: staying >183 days can trigger tax residency (notably in Georgia); consult a tax advisor for cross‑border income.
- Documentation & scams: prepare certified criminal records, insurance, and bank statements; use official portals (avoid unverified agents).
Below are some pros and cons about taxes in each country as they pertain to nomads and residents.
Taxes in Kazakhstan for Nomads
Kazakhstan can be tax‑friendly for short‑stay nomads who remain non‑residents, but it becomes materially more burdensome once you trigger tax residency (generally after 183 days) — expect worldwide taxation, formal reporting, and documentation requirements.
Quick comparison table
| Aspect | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Tax residency rule | Non‑residents taxed only on Kazakhstan‑source income. | Residency if ≥183 days (or “centre of vital interest”) triggers worldwide taxation. |
| Tax rates | Clear withholding regimes for employment income; predictable rates for source income. | Residents pay personal income tax on worldwide income; compliance can be complex. |
| Compliance & documentation | Formal rules and deadlines exist (annual declaration deadlines). | Certificate of foreign tax residency often required and must be legalized/notarized. |
| Employer/PE risk | Remote work for foreign employers generally treated as foreign‑source income. | Client‑facing activities or local business ties can create PE or payroll risks. |
How the rules work (key facts)
- Tax residency: An individual becomes a Kazakhstan tax resident if they spend 183 or more days in any 12‑month rolling period, or if their “centre of vital interest” is in Kazakhstan. Residents are taxed on worldwide income; non‑residents are taxed only on Kazakhstan‑source income.
- Documentation: If you claim non‑resident status or foreign tax credits, Kazakhstan often requires a certificate of foreign tax residency, properly legalized (apostilled) and translated. Missing paperwork can trigger audits or double taxation risk.
- Deadlines & filings: Individuals may face annual declaration obligations and employer withholding/reporting schedules; deadlines include mid‑September for certain individual declarations.
Pros for Nomads
- Short stays can avoid residency: Staying under 183 days keeps tax exposure limited to local‑source income, which is attractive for truly mobile entrepreneurs. This is the main lever for minimizing Kazakhstan tax obligations.
- Predictable withholding on Kazakh source pay: If you do contract with local clients, withholding regimes make the tax treatment clearer.
Cons and Practical Risks
- World‑wide taxation once resident: If you cross the 183‑day threshold or establish vital interests, you’ll face global income reporting and potential double taxation unless a treaty applies.
- Administrative friction: Apostilles, notarized translations, embassy interviews for visas, and quarterly reporting for agents increase compliance burden.
- PE and payroll risk for entrepreneurs: Client‑facing activities or local contracting can create corporate tax or permanent establishment exposure for your business.
Actionable Steps
- Track days precisely and plan stays to stay under 183 days if you want non‑resident status.
- Get a foreign tax residency certificate from your home jurisdiction before arrival if you expect to rely on non‑resident treatment.
- Consult a cross‑border tax advisor before signing local contracts or hiring locally to assess PE and payroll risk.
Georgia is attractive for nomads because of its territorial tax approach and relatively simple residency test, but crossing the 183‑day threshold or establishing domicile can trigger reporting and potential taxation on Georgian‑source income. Read the table and action steps below to decide how to minimize tax friction.
Quick Comparison Table
| Topic | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Residency test | 183‑day rule is clear and based on physical presence. | Rolling 12‑month counting means short repeated visits can add up to residency. |
| Tax scope | Territorial taxation often means foreign‑source income is not taxed in Georgia. | Residents must still report worldwide income even if most foreign income is exempt, increasing paperwork. |
| Rates and regimes | Competitive personal tax regimes and special incentives for IT and remote workers exist. | Some Georgian regimes have specific eligibility rules; mistakes can lead to unexpected tax bills. |
| Administrative burden | Straightforward registration and access to tax treaties once resident. | Filing deadlines and documentation requirements apply; proof of days and residency certificates may be needed. |
Pros
- Clear residency trigger: Spending 183 days in any rolling 12‑month period makes you a tax resident, which is easy to monitor.
- Territorial tax advantage: Foreign‑source income is generally not taxed in Georgia, so many nomads keep most earnings untaxed locally even if they become residents.
- Competitive regimes and incentives: Georgia offers targeted regimes and incentives (notably for IT and remote work) that can lower effective tax rates for qualifying entrepreneurs.
Cons and Risks
- Reporting burden: Even when foreign income is exempt, residents must report worldwide income, which increases compliance complexity and the chance of errors.
- Rolling day count trap: The rolling 12‑month calculation can unexpectedly convert a nomad into a resident after a sequence of visits.
- Source ambiguity and PE risk: Working for local clients or having a business presence can create Georgia‑source income or permanent establishment exposure for your company.
Practical Steps to Manage Tax Exposure
- Track days precisely with a rolling 12‑month calendar and receipts. Count arrival and departure days as full days.
- Obtain a foreign tax residency certificate from your home country before arrival if you plan to claim non‑resident status.
- Consult a cross‑border tax advisor before signing local contracts or hiring in Georgia to assess PE and withholding risks.
Uzbekistan can be attractive for nomads who want clear residency options and new foreign‑income incentives, but it carries important residency triggers, documentation costs, and potential permanent‑establishment risks that can create surprise tax exposure.
Snapshot comparison table
| Topic | Key fact |
|---|---|
| Residency test | 183 days in any 12‑month period (standard) but new pathways may change tests. |
| Special regimes | New non‑dom style incentive for foreigners (benefits for foreign‑source income) announced 2025–2026. |
| Costs to obtain | Some programs require substantial fees and proof of local ties (property/lease). |
| Tax scope if resident | Residents taxed on worldwide income unless covered by special regime. |
Pros
- Potential non‑dom incentives: Recent policy moves introduce a Non‑Dom style regime that can exempt foreign‑source income for qualifying foreigners, making Uzbekistan attractive for entrepreneurs with offshore earnings.
- Clear baseline residency rule: The standard 183‑day presence test is familiar and trackable for nomads who plan stays carefully.
- Pathways to formal residency: Uzbekistan is actively creating investor/long‑term routes (IT and residency programs) that can offer multi‑year stability for founders who want a regional base.
Cons and Risks
- New rules carry strings: The attractive new regime may require substantial fees (reported ~USD 50,000), proof of property/lease, and ongoing local economic ties — not a low‑cost nomad solution. This can negate tax savings for many.
- Residency can be triggered unexpectedly: Beyond the 183‑day test, administrative interpretations (centre of vital interests, local contracts) can create residency or tax obligations sooner than you expect.
- Documentation and legalization burden: Claiming non‑resident status or foreign tax credits typically requires certified residency certificates, translations, and legalization, increasing friction and cost.
- PE and payroll exposure: If you perform client‑facing work in Uzbekistan or hire locally, your company may create a permanent establishment or payroll obligations, triggering corporate and payroll taxes.
- Risks & transparency: policy details are evolving rapidly; rely on official Uzbek tax guidance and professional advice before applying.
Actionable Steps
- Track days precisely with a rolling 12‑month calendar and receipts; treat any part‑day as a full day for safety.
- Get a foreign tax‑residency certificate from your home country before arrival if you plan to rely on non‑resident treatment.
- Evaluate the new regime costs: compare the fee/lease/property requirements against expected tax savings before committing.
- Consult a cross‑border tax advisor to model PE risk, withholding, and double‑tax outcomes for your business activities.
If you’re thinking about Central Asia as a possible destination as a digital nomad, these are three great options depending on your goals. For more information, insights, and guidance on next steps and other considerations in becoming a digital nomad, click here to join GWP Insiders today.
