Kazakhstan visa regulations

Foreign nationals require a visa to enter Kazakhstan, unless their country is included in the visa-free list. Generally, visitors may fall under one of the following three categories:

• Visa-free entry;
• Visa on arrival;
• Visa obtained at an embassy.

An additional key requirement upon arrival is registration with the immigration authorities. Depending on your nationality, one of the following three rules will apply:

• Registration must be completed within 5 days of arrival;
• Registration is required after 30 days of stay;
• No registration is necessary, as two stamps are provided on the migration card upon arrival.

Citizens of countries eligible for visa-free entry are further divided into two groups: those who do not need to register their stay upon arrival and those who must ensure their registration within 5 calendar days of entering Kazakhstan.

Visa-free entry without registration (ensure you have received two stamps on your immigration card upon arrival):

Visa-free and registration neede within 5 calendar days upon arrival:

* Multiple entry, but cumulative duration of no more than 30 days in any 365-day period.
** Registration of stay at the immigration police is required after 30 days of arrival.
*** Multiple entry, but cumulative duration of no more than 42 days in any 180-day period.

An e-visa is suitable for foreign citizens who enter and leave Kazakhstan only through the international airports of Almaty and Astana. An e-visa for Kazakhstan is valid only for the individual visa recipient and does not apply to any persons (such as children) accompanying him/her. Children should also obtain separate individual evisas. 

Citizens of the following countries and territories can apply for single-entry tourist e-visas for Kazakhstan:

Citizens of the following countries and territories can apply for single-entry business or medical treatment e-visas:

If your country is not included in Kazakhstan’s visa-free list, you’ll need to apply for a visa at a Kazakh Embassy or Consulate. The first step in the process is to obtain a Letter of Invitation (LOI), also known as visa support, from a travel agency. The visa support process can take up to two months. Once this is secured, you can proceed with your visa application at the nearest Kazakh embassy.

Our agency specializes in providing visa support letters exclusively to tourists who book our full-service tour packages. These packages cover everything from hotel accommodations for your entire stay in Kazakhstan to transfers and guided city tours.

Learn more about visa support here.

1. Copy of the first two pages of their passport a valid passport (or international travel document)
2. A copy of their Kazakhstan visa support (invitation letter) with a notification of their visa support number by the DCS of the MFA (or the original individual invitation issued by the Police)
3. Completed visa application form (pdf) 
4. One passport-size photo;
5. Fee, payable on collection of visa
6. For 5 days transit visas, the visa of the destination country and onward ticket (or a reservation) are required.
7. Hotel booking confirmation
8. International flight booking confirmation.

The passport should not expire earlier than six months after the validity term of the requested visa. Other necessary documents will be determined by the consul at the time of application.

Visas are issued within 7 calendar days from the day of presenting all documents. Documents are accepted with a visa support letter from the Diplomatic-consular service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

You can apply for the Kazakhstan visa outside of Kazakhstan where Kazakhstan Embassy or Consulate exist.

1. Diplomatic Kazakhstan visa – А1, А2, А3: issued to holders of diplomatic passports and in some instances, when the issue of a diplomatic visa has been recognized expedient. Diplomatic visas are registered without levy of consular fees.
2. Official Kazakhstan visa – B1, B2, B3: issued to personnel of foreign diplomatic and other representations and international organizations, who are not considered diplomatic personnel, and also to foreign citizens and persons without citizenship traveling on business, invited by government bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
3. Investor Kazakhstan visa – С1, С2: issued to genuine investors – managers and representatives of managerial staff of major foreign companies, operating on the Kazakhstani market or who have genuine plans to develop business projects.
4. Work visas – M1, M2, M3, M4, M5: issued upon provision of a permission for foreign labor recruitment and other documents, unless stated otherwise by an international treaty or agreement of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
5. Business Kazakhstan visa – D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8: issued to foreign citizens and persons without citizenship traveling to Kazakhstan for business (to attend business negotiations, forums, market research, etc.) upon application of non-governmental legal entities, registered on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
6. Tourist Kazakhstan visa – F1: issued upon approval of a local travel agency’s application, licenses to operate as such.
7. Study visa – L1, L2: issued with permission of the immigration police upon application of educational institutions.
8. Visas for medical treatment – G1, G2, G3, G4: issued to foreigners and persons without citizenship traveling to Kazakhstan for treatment, medical checks, consultations and similar reasons upon application of the relevant institutions and organizations confirming the character of the invitation.
9. Visas for permanent residence – J1, J2, J3: issued upon provision of documents stipulated by the legislation.
10. Transit Kazakhstan visa – H1: issued upon provision of a visa valid to enter the country of destination and relevant tickets with confirmation of departure date from the transfer point on the territory of Kazakhstan, no later than 5 days from the moment of arrival to the port or station in Kazakhstan.