For my first KZ work visa I dealt with the consulate in New York and they got it back to me in 3 days. Being from Texas you will send your documents to the embassy in DC I think (they divide up the USA regionally for visa services) but it probably wont take more than a week.

Almaty or Astana = 4000 USD a month
Regional School (Semey, Taldykorgan, Uralsk, Kokshetau etc) = 5000 USD a month
there is a 1000 USD bonus for working in one of the smaller cities, maybe that is why someone was quoted the 4000 a month?

Just a heads up on flights. Since the customs union with Belarus / Russia and Kazakhstan, flights between Russia and KZ are considered "semi-domestic" and a transit visa may be required. This is at least what I was told the last time I flew through Russia and I got held up in Domodedevo, they let me continue on but said that I should have had a visa. There is conflicting info on the net and whether or not they let you pass can possibly depend on the mood of the border guards in Moscow on a given day. Post customs union I started arriving at a different terminal when flying through Russia to/from KZ. Normally if you are staying for less than 24 hrs and not changing airports you do not need a visa.

I have lived for over two years in a city that is not Astana or Almaty and I have high speed internet, access to all imports, a shopping mall with an indoor skating rink and movie theatre (Mega), and a host of other modern conveniences. I am related through marriage to those who lived here during the cold war and there is no comparison to life during that time. One example, there was one grocery store 20 years ago, now we have several chains that are the same size and have the same goods that I get in the states. There are plenty of sports, restaurants, night clubs if dancing is your thing and a very good fitness center. In the summer the well maintained parks are crowded and in the winter you can ice skate to your hearts content. Winters are extremely cold however and a lot of time is spent indoors.

I will say that the previous poster is correct in that there is little English spoken by locals as compared to my experience with Almaty, however, that is changing and more and more people speak English, especially students.

I would be interested to hear in which city that the previous poster (s) have lived in because it does not match with my experience,especially the cold war statement. I live in Aktobe. (the NIS being built is next to a massive Dina store which is like a Walmart) All the NIS campuses are located in cities and the previous poster describes what sounds like a small village, who have access to internet BTW. I will say that if you need an expat scene and have trouble integrating with local cultures then yes, life outside Astana or Almaty may not be for you.

I did have some pains adapting to some local habits so I do not want to give the impression that everything was completely rosy. I also understand that personalities are different, I can only speak for myself and can say that I enjoy life in a smaller city. I do see how others may not feel the same way but I do hope you get opinions from those who can relate direct experience because it bears repeating that much of the info you get on KZ via the internet is not accurate.

In a provincial city you can save a lot of that money. One can live comfortable in 1.5k plus housing.

redrider, my second interview on skype required me to teach a portion of a lesson. I only had two but my first one was in person because a committee was in town from Astana interviewing local teachers and I met with a board at that time.

Hi traveler,

I have taught in Kazakhstan for the last two years and will be starting at a NIS in August. I agree with much of what redster has to say. If you are open minded and respectful of your local colleagues you should have no problems. My experience with Kazakh students has been wonderful and I expect those that gain admission to a NIS will be great to work with.

I live in a provincial city and redster is spot on, be ready to live without much of an expat scene but I would not call the adventure scary. :) We have a large shopping mall, restaurants, a bunch of night clubs, supermarkets etc. I can get everything I need locally. Some Russian or Kazakh will be necessary for day to day life in most cities. Allot of what is written on the internet about KZ is by people who have no idea what they are talking about. Acclimating to local culture will take time but if you can do that then life here is good.

A couple things to be aware of, I am sure that NIS will brief you but it doesn't hurt to let you know now.

1) always carry your passport and migration card with you (if you are American, think the US embassy can provide a notarized copy) because police can and will check.

2) As a foreigner you will stand out and be noticed, especially in a smaller city, be mindful that how you comport yourself in public will be talked about. In a small city everyone will know who you are, I try to remember that I am a guest in Kazakhstan and try to behave in a respectful and mature manner. Being a teacher at a NIS will require this even more so.

Let me know if you have any other specific questions or if you know what city your headed to I might be able to put you in touch with someone who is there.