Kazakhstan is a big country in Central Asia. It is now becoming a great place for both travelers and investors. You will find amazing nature, new cities, and a history filled with moving people. Many people now want to visit it. In 2024, 15.3 million people from other countries came to Kazakhstan. This is a record number for travel in the country. Out of all these people, about 10.4 million stayed for more than one day. This shows that Kazakhstan has a lot to offer, and people enjoy being here. China had the most visitors, with 655,000 people coming. A big reason for this rise is Kazakhstan now lets some people from China come without a visa and there are more direct flights.
Before you book your trip to see this interesting country, there is one important question. Do you need an entry visa?
Visa policies can feel hard to understand, but they do not have to stop you from planning your travel. You will need a visa based on three main things. The first is what country your passport is from. The second is why you want to visit. The third is how long you plan to stay. Knowing these rules will help you get what you need. This way, your travel can be easy and fun.
Welcome to Your Essential Guide
This guide will be your main place for learning about Kazakhstan’s travel rules and visa needs. We will make the visa system easy to understand. You will read about visa-free travel, the quick E-Visa, and the usual way to apply at the Kazakhstan Embassy or other offices. We want to give you simple and useful details so you know what you need for your next trip.
What This Guide Covers
We will guide you through every part of the entry process for Kazakhstan. You will find out if you can enter Kazakhstan without a visa, why you may visit, and how long you are allowed to stay. We will also go over the online E-Visa system. You will see what you need for each kind of visa, like for travel, business, or study. By the end, you will know all about the travel papers, steps, and rules for visits to Kazakhstan. We will also talk about important things like consular charges, how long things take to process, and the right ways to apply for a visa.
Start Here: Do You Qualify for Visa-Free Entry to Kazakhstan?
The easiest way to get into Kazakhstan is by using its visa-free program. The country has made deals with many countries. This lets a lot of people travel or do business there without getting a visa first. This should be the first thing all visitors look at before they go.
Key Visa-Free Nationalities and Conditions
People from more than 100 countries can come into Kazakhstan without a visa. The number of days you can stay depends on where you are from. This list gives the countries whose people can enter if they show a passport.
- Europe: All countries that are in the European Union, plus the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and several other countries that are not in the EU.
- North America: United States and Canada.
- Asia-Pacific: Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, and several more.
- Middle East & Africa: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Egypt, Morocco, and other places.
- Americas: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and several Caribbean islands and Central America countries.
- Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS): Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan (with certain rules).
The impact of these policies is big. In 2024, Kazakhstan saw more international tourists than ever before. Visa-free policies helped make this happen.
Conditions for Visa-Free Stays
Visa-free entry is easy and useful. But, there are strict rules you need to know before you travel. The main reasons you can visit are tourism, private visits, and short business talks. You cannot work, study, start missionary work, or do business in the country for a long time with visa-free entry.
Duration Limits:
The longest you can stay with one visa-free visit is often 30 days for most people who can enter this way. But the rule about total stay is very important. A lot of people need to follow a hard rule: you can only stay 90 days in a 180-day time frame. This means:
- You can stay up to 90 days in total within any 180-day period.
- Count backwards from the day you come in or the day you go out, counting 180 days back.
- This rule is the same no matter how many trips you make in that time.
- If you go over this limit, there can be strong penalties.
Passport and Document Requirements:
Your own passport has to meet these important needs:
- The passport should work for at least six months after the day you want to leave Kazakhstan.
- It needs to have at least two blank pages for entry and exit stamps, and for the migration card notes.
- The passport should not be lost or stolen.
- It should be in good shape and easy to read.
Important Considerations: Visa-Free Does Not Mean Rule-Free
Even if you do not need a visa, you have to follow all local laws and entry rules. When you get there, you will get a migration card. You need to keep it with your travel papers during your trip. You cannot ignore this rule. If you lose it or forget to show it, it can cause problems.
Overstay Penalties:
It is very important that you do not stay longer than you are allowed. If you do, you could face harsh penalties.
- If you stay longer than allowed, you can get fines. These fines can be from a few thousand to tens of thousands of tenge.
- You may not be allowed to enter again for some time. This ban could last for a few months or several years.
- The immigration police can decide to take you to court.
- Your name might go on watchlists, and this could make it hard to get a visa later.
Important Exception – The 3-Day Grace Period:
There is a practice in place where if you go to the immigration police within 3 days after your visa is no longer valid, you might get a formal warning and some extra days to leave (usually 5 more days) before you face any real penalties. But you should not count on this to always work out.
If you plan to stay more than 30 days, or if you want to do things that the visa-free rule does not cover, such as work or study for a long time, you need to get a travel visa before you go.
Who Needs a Visa for Kazakhstan? Understanding Your Requirement
If you are from a country that is not on the visa-free list, you need a visa. You also need a visa if your reason for travel or how long you stay does not meet visa-free rules. It is good to find out what you need soon so you can apply without any stress.
Determining Your Visa Need
Your need to get a visa depends on three main things:
1. Nationality: The passport you have shows if you can travel without a visa. Look at the official list made by the Kazakhstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2. Intended Length of Stay:
If you want to stay for more time than the visa-free time (usually 30 days, with a 90-day rolling limit), you will need a visa.
3. Purposes of Trip: If you want to work, study in a school, do missionary work, or do business for a long time, you will always need a special type of visa. This rule applies to everyone, no matter where you are from.
General Rule: If Not Visa-Free, a Visa is Required
The easiest thing to do is this: unless you know for sure that your nationality is on the list of people who can visit without a visa for your trip’s purpose and time, it is best to think that you will need a visa. It’s always smarter to check your status on the official website of the Kazakhstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the official eGov portal (egov.kz), or with the nearest Kazakhstan Embassy instead of risking being turned away at the border.
Kazakhstan E-Visa: Your Convenient Online Application Option
For many people who need a visa, Kazakhstan has an easy online E-Visa system. This process lets people from some countries apply online in a simple way. It is now a popular choice for travel and business visits.
What is the Kazakhstan E-Visa?
The Kazakhstan E-Visa is an online way to get permission to visit Kazakhstan. This E-Visa works for one trip for people who can get it from other countries. When you get this E-Visa, it will be sent to you by email as a PDF file. You need to print it in color. Bring the printed paper and your main passport with you when you get to one of the main airports in Kazakhstan.
Eligibility and Available Categories of Visas for E-Visa
The E-Visa system can be used by people from more than 100 countries. It gives you a way to get certain kinds of visas on the internet. The types you see most often in the online portal are:
- Tourist Visa (B12): For travel, sightseeing, and fun
- Business Visa (B1, B2, B3): For work meetings, deals, and job-related events
- Private Visa (B10): For seeing family or friends (this is for some nationalities)
- Medical Treatment Visa (C12): For getting health care
It is important to look at the official E-Visa site (vmp.gov.kz) to see if your passport and why you want to travel make you able to use this easy way to apply.
Step-by-Step E-Visa Application Process
The E-Visa application process is made to be simple and easy for people to use.
Step 1: Obtain an Invitation (If Required)
For a lot of visa types, mainly business visas, you need to have someone in Kazakhstan invite you and register your visit with the Migration office. The person or group inviting you (a company, an organization, or one person) must:
- Submit an invitation request by using the Visa and Migration Portal
- Get an invitation number
- Give this invitation number to you
Step 2: Register on the Portal
- Go to the official Kazakhstan Visa-Migration Portal at vmp.gov.kz
- Make a new account with your email address
- Make your password so you can use the site safely
- Fill in your details
Step 3: Complete the Application Form
- Log in with your email and password
- Fill out the online application form with all your details as they are in your documents
- Enter your passport information just like it shows in your passport
- Give the invitation number you got from your inviting party
- Pick your visa category (Tourist, Business, etc.)
- Say when you will travel and why you are going
Step 4: Upload Required Documents
You will need to upload digital copies of:
- A color scan of your passport’s personal data page
- A new digital color photo that meets international passport photo rules
Step 5: Pay the Service Fee
- Pay the consular fee by using your credit or debit card.
- The processing takes place through the safe e-pay payment gateway.
- The payment cannot be refunded, no matter what happens with your application.
- Keep the electronic receipt for your records.
Step 6: Receive Your E-Visa
- The system will usually look at applications in a few minutes or some hours.
- When your E-Visa gets approved, the system will send it to your email address.
- You can also find it in your own account on the portal.
E-Visa Documents for Finalization
To finish your E-Visa application, make sure you have all the papers that you need.
- Clear Color Scan of Passport: You need a good color scan of the page with your personal details. It must be good for at least six months after your E-Visa runs out.
- Digital Photograph: A recent color photo that meets normal passport rules:
- The background should be white or light.
- Your face should not show any feeling.
- Your face must be easy to see and in the middle.
- The size is usually 3.5 x 4.5 cm or close to it.
- Don’t wear glasses with dark shade.
- Don’t cover your head unless your religion needs it.
Depending on the kind of visa you want, there may be other papers you have to give when you apply.
E-Visa Processing Times and Issuance
The time it takes to get a Kazakhstan E-Visa is very quick:
- Initial Portal Processing: This can take about 30 minutes to some hours.
- Total Processing Time: Most of the time, it takes up to 5 business days from when you send it.
- Issuance: When you get approved, the E-Visa will come as a PDF file by email.
After your application is checked and approved, the E-Visa will be put in your online account. You will get an email with the official E-Visa PDF. You must print this paper in color. Be sure to bring it with you, because you need to show it to the immigration staff when you get to Kazakhstan.
Important Notes:
- E-Visas can be used to come in through two airports, Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport in Astana and Almaty International Airport.
- You have to keep the printed E-Visa with your passport for your whole trip.
- You can use the visa one time to enter.
- The time for using the visa usually starts on the day you get it and lasts for a set period.
Specific Kazakhstan Visa Categories and Their Requirements
If you can’t enter Kazakhstan without a visa or use the E-Visa, or if you need a visa for another reason, there are a few kinds of visas you can get. Each kind has its own rules. The visa you need will depend on why you want to make the trip.
Kazakhstan Tourist Visa
Purpose: This is for people who travel for fun, to see new places, to relax, or to enjoy tourism and other things to do.
Requirements:
If you do not meet the rules for visa-free entry or the E-Visa, you have to get a regular tourist visa. Go to a Kazakhstan Embassy or consulate in the country you live in to apply.
The application typically requires:
- Fill out the visa application form.
- Bring your own passport. It should be good for at least 6 more months after your trip.
- Give one color photo (size 3.5 x 4.5 cm).
- Sometimes you need a letter from a licensed Kazakhstani tour company that says where you will stay and your travel plans.
- Show proof that you have enough money to pay for your stay.
- Pay the consular fee. This fee cannot be returned.
Processing: It takes about 5 to 7 business days to go through the normal steps using traditional channels.
Business Visa for Professional Engagements
Purpose: This visa is for people who travel to Kazakhstan for work reasons. You can use it if you are going there for meetings, signing contracts, taking part in conferences, or looking at ways to invest in the country.
Kazakhstan has a strong investment climate. In the first part of 2025, gross FDI inflows reached $6.6 billion. This makes it a popular and important visa type for business professionals.
Requirements:
- Your original passport
- Filled-out visa application form
- A recent photo (size 3.5 x 4.5 cm)
- A formal letter of invitation from a registered company in Kazakhstan (this is required)
- Paperwork that shows the reason for your work visit
- Proof that you have enough money for the trip
- Consular fees
The formal letter of invitation has to be from a known business in Kazakhstan. It should clearly say:
- Your name and passport details
- Why you want to visit
- How long you plan to stay
- Details of the host company and the person from them who is allowed to speak for them
Private Visa for Visiting Family or Friends
Purpose: The visa is for when you want to see family or friends who live in Kazakhstan.
Requirements:
- Original passport
- Completed visa application form
- One professional photograph
- Official letter of invitation issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan (mandatory)
- Your host must set up this invitation for you
- Papers that show your connection to your host
- Proof that you will have a place to stay
- Proof of money support (from you or your host)
Your Kazakhstani host or family member must:
- Contact the local migration office
- Fill out an invitation request
- Show proof of their home and citizenship
- Get official papers to send to you
Student Visa for Educational Pursuits
Purpose: This is for people from outside the country who plan to study at a school or college in Kazakhstan.
Requirements:
The Student Visa application process usually needs more paperwork than a tourist visa.
- Original passport
- Completed visa application form
- Photograph (3.5 x 4.5 cm)
- Official letter of admission from the school, college, or university
- Proof that you have enough money for your studies and living costs
- Proof that you have medical insurance
- Police certificate or certificate showing good conduct
- School mark sheets or certificates showing you finished studies
- Proof that you know English well (if classes are in English)
Processing usually takes about 5 to 7 business days. But it can be faster or slower, depending on the place and how much work they have.
Transit Visa for Layover Stays
Purpose: This is for people who want to travel through Kazakhstan on their way to another country. If you have a layover that is more than 24 hours or you need to go out of the international transit area in the airport, you need this.
Requirements:
- A passport that is yours
- A filled out visa application form
- A photo
- Proof that you are traveling ahead (a flight ticket for where you will go next)
- A visa for the country you are heading to
- A place where you will stay if you have to leave the airport
- Fees to pay at the consular office
Important Note: If you stay for less than 72 hours in the airport between flights, and you are from some countries, you may get to use a visa-free transit program. This lets you leave the airport without needing a transit visa.
Work Visas for Employment
Purpose: This is for people from other countries who want to work in Kazakhstan with companies that are registered there.
Requirements:
- Original passport
- Employment contract or job offer letter from Kazakhstani company
- Proof that no Kazakhstani citizen can take the job
- Medical certificate that shows your health
- Police certificate
- Documents that show what you can do and your work history
- Work permit from the company (in some cases)
Processing time: 7-10 business days typically.
Medical Treatment Visas
Purpose: This is for people who want to get healthcare services in Kazakhstan.
Requirements:
- Original passport
- Medical papers from a healthcare provider in Kazakhstan that show what treatment is needed
- Proof that you have an appointment or that you are going to the hospital
- Medical insurance or proof that you have money to pay for treatment
- Proof of where you will stay
Other Visa Categories
Kazakhstan gives people other types of visas for different reasons:
- Diplomatic/Official Visas: For people working for government and official groups
- Missionary Visas: For people working with religions and spreading faith
- Humanitarian Visas: For people helping others and giving aid
- Investor Visas: For people putting money into businesses
- Digital Nomad Visas: For people working online and those who travel for work
Each of these has a special way to apply and needs its own set of documents. These things are not part of normal tourism applications.
Traditional Visa Application Process (If E-Visa Isn’t an Option or Preferred)
When an E-Visa is not offered for your nationality or visa type, you have to use the usual application process at a Kazakhstani office in another country. In this case, you need to give your physical papers to their embassy or local office.
Where to Apply: Embassies and Consulates
You need to apply at the Kazakhstan Embassy or consulate for the country where you live. For example:
- United States Applicants: Kazakhstan Embassy in Washington, DC:
- Address: 1401 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA
- Phone: +1 (202) 232-5488
- Consular Services: Call 127, 109, or 121
- Fax: +1 (202) 232-5845
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM (EST)
- Consular Area: Eastern United States and territories
- Other US Offices:
- New York (Consulate General)
- San Francisco (Consulate General)
- New York (Mission)
It is a good idea to look at the embassy’s website for their hours. You can also find out how to give them your papers, get details about their consular office in the area, and read the latest news about how they are working.
Required Documents for Traditional Application
The main travel papers you need for a regular visa are the same for most types of visas.
Always Required:
- Original Passport: The passport should work for at least 6 more months after your planned stay. You also need at least 2 blank pages in it.
- Completed Entry Visa Application Form: Fill out the form completely and sign it. The form is usually found on the embassy website.
- Recent Passport-Sized Photograph: Provide one color photo. The size should be 3.5 x 4.5 cm. The photo needs to follow international rules.
- Proof of Payment: Give the receipt or other proof showing that you paid the consular fees.
- Return Envelope: Include a prepaid envelope that has your address. This is for mailing your passport back, if you do not pick it up yourself.
Category-Specific Supporting Documents:
Your supporting documents vary by visa category:
- Tourist: Show your hotel booking, flight plan, how you will pay for things, and travel insurance.
- Business: Bring a letter from the host company, business papers, and trade fair signup.
- Private: Bring a letter from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, proof that you are related, and a place to stay.
- Student: Show your admission letter, proof of money support, and school papers.
- Work: Bring your job contract, medical paper, and a police record.
All travel documents you give must be current and in good shape. If your documents are not in English or Russian, you might need to get Kazakhstan papers notarized or have an apostille.
The Submission Process
The process to apply usually means you will mail your application package to the embassy office. You can also take it there yourself when they are open to help people.
In-Person Submission:
- Book a time if you need one. Most embassies ask that you do this now.
- Go to the office during consular hours and bring all your papers.
- Hand in your application and pay the fees.
- Take your receipt. It will show the date you gave your papers.
- Write down when and how to pick up your results. You can get them by mail or pick them up yourself.
By Mail (Using a Return Envelope):
- Place all papers in the order the embassy wants.
- Send your passport and papers using tracked mail.
- Put a prepaid envelope in the package.
- Keep copies of everything you send.
- Check the sending progress.
- Wait for your passport to be sent back to you.
Make sure you have added all needed papers and filled out the form the right way. This helps you avoid any hold-ups. It is a good idea to use tracked mailing, such as DHL, FedEx, or registered mail, to send your own passport and other key papers.
Important Reminders:
- Keep copies of all the documents you have sent for your records.
- Write down the tracking numbers of the documents and the dates you sent them.
- Make sure the embassy got your documents.
- Don’t send your first copies of the documents unless you must.
Interview Requirements
For some visa categories or for people from some countries, you may need to meet a consular officer for an interview. If you need to have an interview:
- The Embassy will get in touch with you after they get your initial application
- You will get an interview date and time
- Bring all your first papers and copies
- Answer questions in an honest way about your travel plans and your background
- Be ready to talk about why you want to visit and talk about your money situation
Interviews with you are more often needed for long-term visas, like work, study, or living in a new place. Tourist visas do not need interviews as much.
Understanding Kazakhstan Visa Fees and Processing Times
Visa fees and how long it takes to get them are important things you need to know before you travel. The cost and time can change a lot. It depends on the kind of visa you want, what country you are from, and which embassy is handling your application.
E-Visa Fees and Timeline
- Processing Time: It can take from 30 minutes up to five business days.
- Cost: The cost ranges from 5,000 to 20,000 tenge (about $10-50 USD). This depends on the kind of visa you get.
- Payment Method: You pay with a credit or debit card by using a secure online payment site.
- Refund Policy: The payment is not refunded, no matter what happens with your application.
Traditional Visa Processing Times and Fees
Standard Processing:
- Processing Timeline: It usually takes about 5 to 7 business days from when the embassy gets all of your application.
- Expedited Services: You can often get your application done faster if you pay an extra fee.
- Consular Fees: The price can be different by country and visa type, but it is often between $50 and $200 USD.
Important Notes:
- The processing time is based on when all of your papers are correct and complete.
- If your application is not finished, it may be turned down. You would need to send it in again.
- When there are holidays or the embassy is closed, it can take more time to process.
- If you need an emergency or faster service, you will pay about 1.5 to 2 times more than the usual fee.
- All visa fees are non-refundable, no matter what happens with your application.
Always check the official consular website for:
- The most current fee schedule (fees may change)
- Current processing time indications
- Payment methods accepted
- Any recent changes to requirements
Migration Card and Registration Requirements
Upon Arrival: The Migration Card
When you get to Kazakhstan, you will get a migration card. Border staff will give it to you at passport check. You have to keep this paper safe because it is important.
- It shows the date when you enter and the time for your visa to be valid.
- You need to keep it with your passport all the time during your stay.
- You will need it for every registration, a place to stay, and any official activity.
- You must show it when you leave the country.
Do not lose your migration card or put it somewhere you can’t find it. Getting a new one can be hard and takes a lot of time.
Registration Requirements
Your accommodation provider, like the hotel or host, has to register you with the local migration office in 3 business days of your coming. If you stay at a hotel, they usually do this for you. If you stay in a private home:
- The host has to send a notice using the Visa and Migration Portal (vmp.gov.kz).
- Paper registration can be done at a migration service office too.
- If you do not register, both the host and the foreigner can get fines.
Your Path Forward
The first thing you need to do before you go to Kazakhstan is to understand what you need for your visa. It is important to know what you have to do based on where you are from, why you are going, and how long you want to stay. This will help you plan your trip well in this amazing country.
For many people who travel, the visa-free system makes short trips easy. If you meet the rules, you should remember the important limit that you can stay for only 90 days in a 180-day period. Also, make sure your passport is good for at least six more months.
For people who need a visa, the E-Visa system gives a new and easy way for tourists and business travelers to apply. If these choices do not fit your needs, you can use the regular process at the Embassy, which is still a good and clear way to get your visa.
Your Next Steps Should Be Clear:
- Know Your Status: Right away, look at the official list of visa-free countries on the website of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (egov.kz) or your local Kazakhstan Embassy.
- Pick Your Way: Look at your status and your trip plans. Then, pick if you will go visa-free, get an E-Visa, or use the old type of application.
- Get Your Papers: Bring all the travel papers you need. Make sure you have your real passport. See if it is good for use, and if it has extra empty pages.
- Apply Soon: Give yourself good time for it to go through, and not just at the last minute. E-Visa goes fast, but older ways may need 2-3 weeks’ extra time.
- Look Over Everything Again: Use official sites to look at all details once more before you set your trip plan.
By using this guide and checking with official sources, you can make sure your trip to Kazakhstan goes well. The whole experience can be easy, just like the wide open steppes you will see there.
Additional Resources
- Official Kazakhstan Visa and Migration Portal: www.vmp.gov.kz
- Kazakhstan Government E-Services Portal: egov.kz
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: www.gov.kz (English section)
- Kazakhstan Embassies Directory: Go to www.gov.kz for all embassy contact details
- E-Government Payment Gateway: e.pay
This guide was last updated in December 2025. Visa rules, costs, and steps can change. You should always check official Kazakhstan government sources for the latest information before you plan your trip.
