Kazakhstan

Navigating Central Asia's Gateway

Whether you're planning to explore Almaty's vibrant cultural scene, conduct business in the modern capital of Astana, or pursue educational opportunities at leading Kazakhstani institutions, understanding the country's visa framework is essential for seamless travel planning.

Professional Immigration Services Overview

Kazakhstan maintains visa-free entry for citizens from over 60 countries, with policies that vary significantly based on nationality, travel purpose, and duration of stay. As Central Asia's largest economy and a crucial link between Europe and Asia, Kazakhstan attracts diverse categories of international visitors requiring specialized documentation guidance.

Key Traveler Categories Requiring Expert Guidance:

• Business professionals and investors
• Academic researchers and students
• Tourism and cultural exchange participants
• Transit passengers and long-term residents
• Golden Visa applicants seeking 10-year residency through USD 300,000 investment

Kazakhstan issues business, investor, medical treatment and tourist e-visas for eligible nationalities. U.S. travelers may enter without a visa for stays up to 30 days on each visit and may not stay more than a cumulative 90 days within a six-month period, while similar provisions apply to many European and Commonwealth countries. Our comprehensive analysis transforms complex regulatory requirements into clear, actionable strategies tailored to your specific circumstances and travel objectives.

Your visa requirements for Kazakhstan depend on your nationality and travel purpose. Citizens from numerous countries enjoy visa-free access, while others must obtain a visa prior to arrival. Kazakhstan does not offer visa on arrival; visas cannot be obtained or converted in-country after entry.

Visa-Free Countries

Following expansions in July–August 2025, approximately 56 countries are included in Kazakhstan's 30-day unilateral visa-free scheme, with further nationalities covered under bilateral treaties. Citizens from the countries listed below may enter without a visa:

• 30 days visa-free per entry (max 90 days per 180-day period): Most EU countries including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Portugal, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia
• 30 days visa-free per entry (max 90 days per 180-day period): United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Monaco
• 30 days visa-free per entry (max 90 days per 180-day period): UAE, Israel, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Vietnam, Thailand, Qatar (Vietnam, Thailand and Qatar added to the unilateral scheme in July 2025)
• 90 days visa-free (bilateral agreements): Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and other CIS member states
• 90 days within a 180-day period: Turkey (increased from 30 days effective 25 August 2025 under Government Decree No. 678)
• 30 days visa-free per entry (max 90 days per 180-day period): China — ordinary PRC passport holders under the bilateral visa-free agreement of May 2023

Passport Requirements

For visa-free entry, your passport must be valid for at least 30 days from your arrival date and have at least one blank page. If you require a visa, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the expiry date of your visa and have at least two blank pages for sticker visas.

Electronic Visa Availability

Kazakhstan issues tourist (B12), business (B1, B2, B3), investor, and medical treatment e-visas through the official Visa and Migration Portal at vmp.gov.kz. E-visas are single-entry only. Holders must enter and exit exclusively through Astana International Airport (IATA: TSE, formerly Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport) or Almaty International Airport (IATA: ALA). Citizens from most countries are eligible for an e-visa, with certain exceptions including Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, and several other nations.

Transit Passengers

Holders of Indian and Chinese passports do not require transit visas for stopovers of 72 hours or less when transiting through Astana or Almaty international airports, provided they hold a valid onward air ticket and travel with a Kazakhstan-registered airline. Other transit passengers remaining in the international zone for under 24 hours typically do not require visas, but leaving the airport requires meeting standard entry requirements.

Visa Required Countries

Citizens from countries not covered by visa-free or e-visa arrangements must obtain a Kazakhstan visa before travel through embassies, consulates, or authorized visa centers. This includes many Asian, African, and Middle Eastern countries.

Registration Requirements

All foreign visitors, regardless of entry type, must be registered with migration services within 3 working days of arrival. Hotels and hosting entities are obliged to notify the internal affairs authorities of the visitor's arrival within 3 working days.

Verification Recommendations

Permitted stay durations vary by nationality group — some countries hold shorter per-entry allowances than the standard 30-day groups listed above. Always verify the exact allowance applicable to your passport through the official Visa and Migration Portal (vmp.gov.kz) or the Kazakhstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs before departure to ensure compliance with the latest regulations.

Kazakhstan offers a comprehensive range of visa types designed to accommodate various travel purposes, from short-term tourism to long-term business engagements. Understanding the specific category that aligns with your travel objectives ensures a streamlined application process and compliance with immigration requirements.

Tourist and Visitor Visas

Single-entry tourist visas are issued for a period of up to 90 days with a stay period of no more than 30 days. Multiple-entry visas are issued for up to 180 days with the right to stay up to 90 days. If you enter Kazakhstan on a multiple-entry visa, you can stay in the country continuously for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Business Visa Categories

Business visas cater to commercial activities with varying durations:

• B1 visas for business meetings, conferences, forums, and symposiums allow stays of up to 60 days with validity of 90 days for single-entry or 180 days for multiple-entry
• B2 visas for consulting, auditing, or professional business activities provide 30-day stays with 90-day validity for single-entry or 90-day stays with 180-day validity for multiple-entry
• B3 visas for board members, founders, and business negotiators offer 30-day stays with 90-day validity, or up to 1 year as multiple-entry
• Investor visas (A5) are issued for up to 5 years for business investments, while A6 visas for investors with over 300,000 USD are valid for up to 10 years
• Long-term business visas of up to 10 years are available for regular commercial engagements

Work and Employment Visas

Work visas (C3) require employer sponsorship, with single-entry visas issued for up to 90 days of stay and multiple-entry visas issued for the period of validity of a work permit, but not more than 3 years. Business immigrant visas (C5) for those establishing entrepreneurship activities are issued for up to 90 days for single-entry, with multiple-entry extensions up to 2 years. Processing typically requires work permits approved by the labor ministry.

Student and Academic Visas

Educational visas require institutional acceptance letters and cover undergraduate, graduate, and research programs. Visas for practical training or internship (B7) are issued as single-entry for up to 90 days or multiple-entry for up to 180 days. Academic exchange visas accommodate short-term scholarly activities and conferences.

Transit and Special Categories

Transit visas (H1) allow stopovers no later than 5 days from arrival. Transit visa exemptions apply for up to 72 hours at Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport or Almaty International Airport for certain nationalities. Diplomatic visas (A1, A2) are issued for up to 90 days single-entry, or up to 1 year for A1 and 180 days for A2 multiple-entry. Family reunion visas (C2) accommodate joining Kazakhstani residents, with single-entry visas issued for up to 90 days and multiple-entry for up to 1 year.

Most visa categories offer extension possibilities through local immigration offices, with processing fees varying by type and nationality. Kazakhstan issues 39 types of visa to accommodate diverse travel and residence purposes.

Processing Times by Visa Type

Tourist e-visas are processed within 30 minutes of submission through vmp.gov.kz once an approved invitation is on file. Standard embassy-processed tourist and business visas require 5–7 business days. Consulate visa applications may be extended up to 30 days or, in exceptional cases, 60 days if closer examination is required. Work permits require separate ministry processing of 1–2 months. Peak summer months (June–August) may extend standard timeframes by 3–5 additional days.

Visa Fees and Costs

E-visa fees (non-refundable; paid in KZT equivalent via the egov.kz payment gateway — bank card, QR code, or mobile payment):

• Tourist e-visa (B12, single-entry): USD 60
• Business or medical treatment e-visa (B1/B2/B3, single-entry): USD 80

Embassy/consular fees (Order No. 11-1-4/227, Annex 1, as amended 21 July 2025; non-refundable; charged in KZT equivalent):

• Single-entry tourist visa: USD 60
• Single-entry standard visa (business and other categories): USD 80
• Multiple-entry tourist visa: USD 90
• Multiple-entry standard visa (1 year): USD 200
• Multiple-entry standard visa (up to 5 years): USD 1,000
• Transit visa: USD 20

Application Locations and Methods

Submit applications through Kazakhstan consulates, authorized visa centers, or the official e-visa portal (vmp.gov.kz). Electronic visas are processed online; holders must enter and exit exclusively through Astana International Airport (IATA: TSE, formerly Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport) or Almaty International Airport (IATA: ALA). Electronic visas are issued to citizens of 109 countries. Major processing centers operate in Washington DC, London, Moscow, and Beijing.

Essential Documentation

• Valid passport: at least 30 days beyond arrival date for visa-free entry; at least 3 months beyond visa expiry for visa holders; minimum two blank pages for sticker visas
• Completed application form
• Recent passport photographs
• Travel itinerary or invitation letter
• Proof of accommodation
• Financial statements

E-visa payment is by bank card via the egov.kz gateway. Consular fees are non-refundable. Visa validity ranges from 30 days to 5 years depending on category. No ordinary in-country extension exists; only a force-majeure extension of up to 30 calendar days to facilitate departure may be granted by migration authorities.

Biometric Requirements (from 10 March 2026)

Effective 10 March 2026, all visa applicants aged 16 and over applying through Kazakhstan embassies or consulates must submit fingerprints in person at the point of application (Joint MFA/MIA Order No. 11-1-4/71 and No. 72, in force 10.03.2026). This requirement applies to the consular route only and does not affect e-visa applicants using vmp.gov.kz.

Step 1: Determine Your Visa Category

Select the appropriate visa type based on your travel purpose—tourist, business, transit, or other categories. Verify the maximum duration allowed and whether single or multiple entry suits your itinerary. Review current visa requirements as regulations may vary by nationality.

Step 2: Prepare Required Documentation

Gather essential documents including:

• Valid passport: at least 3 months validity beyond your visa expiry date for visa holders, or at least 30 days from arrival for visa-free entry; minimum two blank pages for sticker visas
• Completed application form with accurate information
• Recent passport-sized photographs meeting official specifications
• Supporting documents specific to your visa category
• Financial proof demonstrating sufficient funds
• Invitation letter for most visa types (issued by Kazakhstani organizations)

Ensure all documents are translated into Kazakh or Russian by certified translators and properly notarized where required.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Applications can be submitted through:

• Kazakhstan diplomatic missions abroad — many countries now require in-person submission by the applicant
• Authorized visa application centers
• Online e-visa portal (vmp.gov.kz) for eligible nationalities and categories

Electronic visas are available to citizens of 109 countries for tourist, business, investor, and medical treatment purposes. E-visa holders can only enter and exit through Astana International Airport (IATA: TSE) or Almaty International Airport (IATA: ALA). Kazakhstan does not offer visa on arrival or in-country visa conversion. Schedule appointments in advance for embassy submissions.

Step 4: Obtain Invitation Letter (If Required)

Most applicants need an invitation letter from a Kazakhstani organization, which submits an application to the migration service department. The invitation approval process takes an average of 5 business days, though the migration service may extend the period up to 30 calendar days. For e-visa applications, you must enter the invitation letter date and number when applying online.

Step 5: Pay Processing Fees

Visa fees depend on your nationality and visa type. E-visa payments are made by bank card through the egov.kz gateway. Embassy and consular fees are paid at the mission and are non-refundable. Retain payment receipts for tracking purposes.

Step 6: Biometric Data Collection

From 10 March 2026, all applicants aged 16 and over applying for visas through Kazakhstan embassies or consulates must provide fingerprints in person at the time of submission (Joint MFA/MIA Order No. 11-1-4/71 and No. 72). E-visa applicants submitting through vmp.gov.kz are not subject to this in-person biometric requirement.

Step 7: Track and Collect Your Visa

Monitor application status through official tracking systems. Traditional visa processing typically takes 7 calendar days, though it may be extended up to 30 days or exceptionally 60 days if closer examination is required. E-visa applications submitted through the portal are processed in 30 minutes once the invitation is approved. Collect your visa personally or authorize a representative with proper documentation. Print your e-visa and present it at passport control — digital copies on phones are not accepted.

In July 2025, Kazakhstan launched QazETA, a unified state digital platform combining electronic visa applications, electronic residency status, and a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for visa-exempt visitors. The platform is accessible via a mobile app (iOS and Android) and through the Visa and Migration Portal at vmp.gov.kz.

What Is the QazETA ETA?

The Electronic Travel Authorization is a pre-arrival electronic permission for travelers whose nationality qualifies them for visa-free entry to Kazakhstan. It functions similarly to the US ESTA or the UK ETA: it does not replace the visa exemption itself but adds a pre-screening step processed electronically before travel. As of early 2026, the QazETA platform is operating in pilot mode. Obtaining an ETA is currently recommended but not yet mandatory for citizens of visa-exempt countries; travelers without an ETA are still being admitted at the border during the pilot phase. Official communications from Kazakhstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicate that the ETA will become mandatory for visa-exempt travelers once the pilot period concludes.

Who Should Use QazETA?

All travelers whose nationality is on Kazakhstan's unilateral or bilateral visa-free list are encouraged to apply for an ETA before departure. Citizens of countries that require a standard e-visa or embassy visa should not use the ETA pathway — those travelers must continue to apply through the standard e-visa process on vmp.gov.kz or through the relevant Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.

How to Apply for an ETA

• Download the QazETA app (iOS or Android) or visit vmp.gov.kz
• Register or log in to your account
• Select the Electronic Travel Authorization section and enter your passport details and intended travel dates
• Submit the application and retain the electronic confirmation for presentation at the border

E-Visa Services on QazETA

QazETA also consolidates all standard e-visa applications previously handled through vmp.gov.kz. Tourist e-visas (B12; USD 60 per single entry), business e-visas (B1/B2/B3; USD 80 per single entry), investor visas, and medical treatment visas can all be applied for through the same platform. For visa categories that require an invitation letter, the Ministry of Internal Affairs-registered invitation must be obtained before the online application can be completed. All e-visas issued through QazETA remain single-entry and must be used at Astana International Airport (IATA: TSE) or Almaty International Airport (IATA: ALA).

Monitor vmp.gov.kz and the Kazakhstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for announcements regarding the transition from the current pilot ETA to a mandatory pre-arrival requirement.