Diploma Nostrification in Kazakhstan

The state service called “Recognition and Nostrification of Educational Documents” is provided by the Republican State Enterprise “Bologna Process and Academic Mobility Center” under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Nostrification is required to obtain a work permit for teachers, medical workers and specialists in certain sectors — as decided by the competent authorities.

Which documents are or are not subject to nostrification and recognition?

• Diplomas of secondary, secondary specialized, higher and postgraduate education obtained abroad are subject to recognition.
• The diploma supplement is also a mandatory document for the recognition procedure.
• Diplomas of professional retraining confirming a qualification in a specific field are not subject to recognition.
• Diplomas obtained by citizens of Kazakhstan at foreign universities, research centers and laboratories under the international “Bolashak” scholarship are recognized automatically.
• Education obtained at the branch of Lomonosov Moscow State University in Kazakhstan is also recognized without going through the procedure.
• Educational documents issued in CIS countries before 15 May 1992 do not require nostrification.

Ways to apply for the state service

The application can be filed and the result received in one of the following ways:

• Through the NJSC “Government for Citizens” State Corporation.
• Through the e-government portal.

Timeframes for the nostrification service

If the educational documents were issued in a country that is a party to the Hague Convention or has an international agreement with Kazakhstan on abolishing legalization:

• At the State Corporation offices in Astana — up to 30 business days.
• In other regions — up to 45 business days (including postal delivery).
• Through the portal — up to 30 business days.

If the document has already been legalized or apostilled in the country of receipt:

• In Astana — up to 15 business days.
• In the regions — up to 30 business days (including forwarding).
• Through the portal — up to 15 business days.

If the initial request to confirm the diploma or the accreditation of the educational institution goes unanswered, a repeat request is sent. In this case the review period is extended by 10 business days.

How much does nostrification cost?

The state fee is:

• For documents on basic and general secondary education — 6 MCI.
• For documents on technical and vocational education — 8 MCI.
• For documents on higher and postgraduate education — 10 MCI.
• For issuing a duplicate of the certificate of recognition / nostrification — 3 MCI.

List of required documents

• Application for recognition of the educational document.
• Copy of the diploma and supplement with the legalization or apostille mark. The original document is required for verification.
• Copy of the diploma holder's passport.
• Receipt for payment of the state fee.