The Kazakh government has prepared a bill under which knowledge of the Kazakh language, the country's history, and legislation will be mandatory for individuals seeking naturalization, Prime Minister Alikhan Smaiylov said on November 8. Smaiylov’s statement comes amid an influx of Russian citizens who left to evade partial mobilization to the war in Ukraine. Kazakh authorities said earlier that since Russia started the mobilization on September 21 about 200,000 foreigners have applied for individual identification numbers that would allow them to work and open bank accounts in Kazakhstan. To read the original story from RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, click here.
Knowledge Of Kazakh Language, History, Laws To Be Mandatory For Those Seeking Citizenship
Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smaiylov (file photo)