Moving To Kazakhstan? Tips To Ease The Transition |
Posted: May 30, 2018 |
Let's say, you're planning a trip to any country. What you should catch for rest? Your luggage should include a lot of different things, but in all cases you shouldn't forget about caps or hats.
Dealing with the Government Before you travel to the country, talk with your employer to be sure that all of the paperwork is in order. The local government in Kazakhstan is often the biggest struggle for new expats. As soon as you arrive in the country, you must register with the local government. This registration must be renewed every three months, or any time you leave the country. You’re also required to carry your passport at all times. Before you register a car or conduct any other personal business, take time to research all of the requirements. Many of the officials are unfamiliar with the requirements to complete these tasks for expats, as it may be different than for local citizens. Go into each transaction armed with the information that you need as well as some patience. Finding a Place to Live Your search for housing in Kazakhstan will likely bring you to many apartment buildings, as apartments are the primary residential choice. There are houses available in the country, but they are more difficult to find. Apartment buildings and landscape views vary widely, from riverfront structures to high-rises in the city. Your budget, or perhaps your housing allowance, will heavily dictate the type of property that you can rent. Rates vary widely depending on the area and the size of the apartment. If you have a large family, you may struggle to find apartments with more than three bedrooms. Four bedroom and larger units are unusual, though they do exist. Understanding the Utilities One of the biggest adjustments when moving to a home in Kazakhstan is managing the local utilities. Utility rates for hot water and heat are affordable, saving you from overextending your budget during the cold-weather months. Utility costs are kept under control by eliminating individual control of your heat and hot water. Instead, all of the utilities are managed through a central hub. Heating systems are turned on in the fall, and off in the spring. If the weather gets cold early in the year, you’ll have to invest in a portable electric heater. The lack of control over the thermostat may leave you opening windows even in the middle of winter. Communicating with the Locals Traditionally, Russian has been the primary language in the business circles in the country. Recently, the locals have been trying to return to their roots. In doing so, they have increased the use of Kazakh as a local language. While you will need to know Russian to conduct business, knowing a bit of Kazakh will certainly work in your favor. Challenges of Doing Business You are likely to find that most Kazakhstanis are friendly, pleasant and helpful. When it comes to doing business, this is both a good thing and a challenge. As a culture, the locals always aim to appear accommodating and helpful. This often means not saying no to any request. Instead, any business matters that are too difficult to solve or not possible to complete are often ignored. This can be frustrating for expats who are simply trying to get something done. In some situations, you may have to make requests multiple times before seeing results. You can save yourself a lot of frustration by familiarizing yourself with the structure of the business as well as the internal culture and expectations before you go to work there. As you can see, the culture in Kazakhstan requires some adaptability, particularly when you are relocating from a North American country. Make sure that you go into the relocation with an open mind, ready to embrace the new culture. You can attend Astana Forum or another educational event to get more information about the country. A sense of adaptability and flexibility will help make the transition a success.
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