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YouTube Video Transcript Summary

Key Concepts: Kazakhstan visa requirements, work visas, language learning (Russian, Kazakh), job opportunities for foreigners, business platforms/marketplaces, IT jobs and salaries, scholarships, cost of education, Kazakh language difficulty, English proficiency in Kazakhstan.

Visa Requirements for Kazakhstan

• Tourism Visa: To visit Kazakhstan, an invitation is crucial. A list of eligible countries for e-visas exists, but the invitation is paramount.
• Invitation Source: Invitations can be obtained through:
  • Touristic agencies (easiest for tourism purposes).
  • Family members residing in Kazakhstan.
  • Potentially friends in Kazakhstan (less certain).
• E-Visa Application: The invitation number is the key detail needed to apply for an e-visa or to visit an embassy.
• Work Visa: A touristic visa cannot be converted to a work visa. This is a universal rule.
• Obtaining a Work Visa: Requires being hired by a company or embassy in Kazakhstan that will handle the necessary paperwork.

Work Opportunities for Foreigners

• Part-Time Jobs for Foreign Students: Legally, there are no part-time job opportunities for foreign students in Kazakhstan.
• Illegal Work: Working illegally is complicated and risky.
  • Discrimination: Foreigners who don't resemble locals (e.g., Indian students) are more easily noticed than those who do (e.g., Uzbek students of Kazakh ethnicity).
  • Language Barrier: Lack of Russian or Kazakh proficiency is a significant obstacle. Kazakhstan is not like the USA or UK in terms of English usage.

Business Platforms in Kazakhstan

• Marketplaces: Several online marketplaces exist, many affiliated with banks.
• Caspi Shop/Caspi Magazine: A popular marketplace run by a bank. Allows users to create shops and sell products. Similar to Shopify but considered more reliable due to its banking affiliation.
• Joseph: Another bank-related marketplace, but less popular than Caspi.
• OLX: A platform for selling secondhand items.
• Wildberries: A large, independent marketplace (not bank-affiliated) where users can create shops and sell products. Handles delivery and operates internationally, including in Russia.

IT Jobs and Salaries in Kazakhstan

• Job Search Websites:
  • LinkedIn (global platform).
  • Indeed (global platform).
  • HH.kz (HeadHunter Kazakhstan): The most popular job search website in Kazakhstan and the broader region (including Uzbekistan).
• Application Process: Requires a Kazakhstan phone number for registration and CV creation.
• Job Application Reality: Similar to LinkedIn, expect a low response rate. Applying to many jobs (e.g., 100) may yield only a few interview opportunities (e.g., less than 5%).
• Salary Expectations: Average salaries in Kazakhstan are around $500-$600 USD per month.
• IT Salary Variation: Salaries depend on skills and experience. Experienced programmers can command higher salaries, while beginners should expect lower pay.

Education and Scholarships

• Application Process: Contact the speaker directly via Instagram for guidance on school applications.
• Visa on Arrival: No longer possible to obtain a visa on arrival in Kazakhstan.
• Scholarships: The speaker has a video dedicated to scholarships.
• International Students: Foreign students are generally not allowed to work in Kazakhstan.
• Scholarships for Postgraduate Studies: Scholarships are available for postgraduate studies, but internal scholarships may have specific requirements. Inquire directly with the university offering the scholarship.
• Visa for Nigerians: Nigerian applicants may need to travel to Egypt to apply for a visa.
• Cost of Masters in Cyber Security (Nazarbayev University): Approximately $3,300 USD (increased from a previous estimate of $2,700).
• Cost of Bachelor's Degree: Around $3,000 USD.

Language Learning

• Russian: The speaker took one year to learn Russian, but their proficiency is still not perfect.
• Kazakh:
  • Difficulty: Potentially challenging but likely easier than Chinese, Japanese, or Korean.
  • Alphabet: Currently uses the Cyrillic alphabet, which must be learned first.
  • Latin Alphabet Transition: A planned transition to the Latin alphabet in 2025 may simplify learning for foreigners.
  • Learning Time: One year of intensive classes may be sufficient to reach basic proficiency. Advanced proficiency requires immersion and continuous practice.
• English Proficiency:
  • General Population: English is not widely spoken.
  • Urban Areas: In cities like Almaty and Astana, English speakers can be found, especially in malls and VIP service locations.
  • Open Markets (Bazaars): English is unlikely to be understood in traditional markets.

Conclusion

The video provides practical advice and realistic expectations for individuals considering visiting, working, or studying in Kazakhstan. It emphasizes the importance of proper visa procedures, the challenges faced by foreign workers (especially students), the availability of online marketplaces for business, and the realities of job searching and salary expectations in the IT sector. It also addresses language learning and the level of English proficiency in the country. The speaker encourages viewers to research thoroughly and adjust their expectations accordingly.