Law and Order

April 1, 2026, 8:20 PM

Kazakhstan dismantles massive illegal residency scheme involving bribes

Authorities have dismantled a criminal ring facilitating illegal residency legalization for foreigners in Kazakhstan, our website reports, citing the Chief Transport Prosecutor's Office.

Over 5,000 citizens from Central Asian countries obtained work permits, temporary residency registrations, and visa extensions in exchange for bribes.

The scheme involved employees of the migration service and a branch of the Government for Citizens state corporation in Astana, along with other accomplices linked to the illegal operation.

The suspects face charges under Articles 366 (receiving a bribe), 367 (offering a bribe), 368 (acting as an intermediary in bribery), 394 (organizing illegal migration), and 190 (fraud) of Kazakhstan's Criminal Code.

The case has been forwarded to court.