Foreign citizens enter and leave the Republic of Kazakhstan through checkpoints on the state border using foreign passports or documents replacing them, if they have Kazakhstan visas (if required).
As of March 2020, citizens of 75 countries could enter Kazakhstan without a visa. However, visa-free regime for 54 countries has been suspended until December 31, 2021. Visa-free regime now applies only to citizens of Azerbaijan, Argentina, Armenia, Belarus, Brazil, Ecuador, Georgia, Hong Kong, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, Serbia, South Korea, Tajikistan, Turkey, UAE, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
Who doesn’t need a visa?
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Visa-free entry with the
right to stay in the country for up to 30 days is granted to citizens of the
following countries:
Argentina, Azerbaijan,
Brazil, Ecuador, Serbia, South Korea, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan.
The list of countries with
visa-free entry to Kazakhstan up to 30 days also included the following
countries (suspended until December 31, 2021):
Australia, Austria, Bahrain,
Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New
Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi
Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand,
United Kingdom, United States of America, Vatican, Vietnam.
Visa-free entry with a right to stay in the country for up to 90 days is granted to citizens of the following countries: Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine.
Hong Kong citizens can enter Kazakhstan without a visa with the right to stay in the country for up to 14 days.
Until December 31, 2020, a 72-hour visa-free regime for entry, stay and departure from the Republic of Kazakhstan was valid for citizens of China and India traveling in transit through the international airports of Astana, Almaty, Aktau, Shymkent, Karaganda, and Taraz to a third country or returning from a third country. As of April 30, 2021, this regime was suspended until December 31, 2021.
How to apply for a Kazakhstan visa?
For foreign citizens who require a visa to Kazakhstan, today there are two options for obtaining it:
Option 1
Visas are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, foreign agencies and consular posts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In the absence thereof, by specially authorized representatives of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Multiple visas can be issued to foreigners at the request of host organizations.
Option 2. Resuming issuance of e-Visa
June 13, 2022
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and National Security Committee have resumed the service for issuing KZ electronic visas (e-Visa) through the Visa-migration portal vmp.gov.kz.
Citizens of 109 countries* can apply for one of the following categories of single-entry electronic visas:
- business B1, B2, B3
- tourist B12
- for medical treatment C12
E-Visa is issued based on the invitation letter from KZ side (individual or legal entity). Invitation is valid only for the visa recipient, does not apply to accompanying persons and is not subject to renewal.
For obtaining e-Visa, a foreigner should:
- register on the portal vmp.gov.kz
- follow the "Electronic visa" section and enter the invitation number (the invitation number is forwarded by the Kazakhstan side)
- fill in the required passport data and proceed with payment of the consular fee ($60 for a single–entry tourist visa, $80 for a business and medical visa)
- print out e-Visa and present it at the passport control at one of the Kazakhstan international airports
Since June 13, access to the visa and migration portal of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the issuance of electronic visas has been resumed vmp.gov.kz .
The basis for issuing Kazakhstan visas and extending their validity are:
The grounds for issuing entry visas must be consistent with the purpose of stay. Thus, those arriving in Kazakhstan at the invitation of friends and relatives, that is, for private purpose, as well as those arriving for business, studying or tourism purposes, cannot be employed in Kazakhstan, and engage in other activities not related to the purpose of entry indicated on a visa, except as provided for by legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The category and types of visas, the procedure of their issue, as well as the reduction and extension of their validity are determined by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan in coordination with the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Foreigners traveling through the territory of Kazakhstan in transit to visa exempt countries are required to have a transit visa of Kazakhstan.
Passing through the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan in transit by vehicles, including those engaged in international transportation of goods, must follow only roads open to international traffic.
Do I need to register with the migration service after arrival?
30 days without registration
Since 2020, according to the Law signed on December 30, 2019, the compulsory registration of foreigners staying in Kazakhstan for up to 30 days has been canceled. Nevertheless, the receiving party remains obligated to notify the migration service of the arrival of a foreign guest within three business days from the moment of crossing the border. Notification of the arrival can be done online, through www.vmp.gov.kz.
The service is free and has been provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs since 2014.
If a foreign citizen stays in Kazakhstan for more than 30 days
When a foreign citizen stays in Kazakhstan for more than 30 days, the receiving party (hotels, hostels, rental apartments, medical institutions and other legal entities and individuals) must issue a temporary residence permit (kazakhstan registration).
Please note that registration of foreigners and notification of the arrival of foreigners in Kazakhstan are two separate duties that are now assigned to the receiving party.
Additional information on the visa regime of Kazakhstan
Entry/transit to/through the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan of foreigners from among the citizens of the states with which direct (regular, irregular charter flights) air communication has been resumed by the decision of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan is allowed - subject to visa requirements, unless otherwise provided by international agreements of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Foreigners from among the citizens of the states with which direct air communication has been resumed by the decision of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan can enter Kazakhstan through third countries (if they have an appropriate visa).
In other cases, to enter the territory of Kazakhstan during quarantine restrictions, a foreign citizen must have an entry permit according to the decision of the Interdepartmental Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan (to present a copy of the Protocol of the Interdepartmental Commission, which he can request from the inviting organization).
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