ALMATY, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Kazakhstan has issued its first 10-year residence permit under the Digital Nomad Residency program, designed to attract high-tech professionals, the Kazinform news agency reported Wednesday.

According to Kazakhstan's Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, the program, launched in January 2025 at the initiative of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has already proven to be an important tool for bringing leading global experts in digital technologies and artificial intelligence to Kazakhstan.

So far, more than 270 applications have been submitted from 20 countries, including the United States, Canada, France and Türkiye.

The Digital Nomad Residency offers information technology specialists a simplified path to permanent residence in Kazakhstan. It builds on the Digital Nomad Visa, which allows foreign professionals to live and work in the country under similar terms. ■