Rules of entry to Kazakhstan for foreigners. What are the options?

This article has been prepared for foreign citizens who are planning to visit Kazakhstan regardless of their purpose, age and nationality. 

Visa-free regime for foreign citizens to Kazakhstan

There is a list of countries for whose citizens entry to Kazakhstan is open. The full list of visa-free countries can be found in our infographic. If you are a citizen of one of these countries, you can come to Kazakhstan without a visa. It is enough to present a valid passport at the border crossing point.

IMPORTANT:

• after crossing the border and entering Kazakhstan, it is necessary to submit a notification of entry to the migration authorities regardless of the purpose of entry, age, citizenship and other details within 3 working days;
• do not confuse the period of stay per entry (usually 30 days for most countries) with the total period of stay in Kazakhstan (usually 90 days within a 180-day period). The period of stay 90-180 can be calculated using a visa calculator;
• under the visa-free regime foreigners cannot work and receive remuneration for labour. Purposes of entry under the visa-free regime: tourism, private and short-term business trips.

Types of visas for foreign citizens to Kazakhstan

If your country of citizenship is not included in the list of visa-free countries, then you need to obtain a visa. All categories of visas to Kazakhstan are described in our article. Here we will tell you in brief what are your options for entering Kazakhstan?

1. C3 work visa. The visa can be obtained under the standard procedure or under exemption. The procedure takes 1-1.5 months on average, taking into account the processing of work permit and other documents. The visa is issued for 1 year.
2. C5 visa for business immigrants. If you plan to open a legal entity or buy a share, you need a C5 visa. The primary visa is issued in the country of citizenship for 90 days, then upon arrival in Kazakhstan can be extended for 1 year. The visa entitles you to work.
3. A5 visa, investor visa. The visa is issued to middle and senior managers subject to an investment agreement with the government of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The visa gives the right to work.
4. Family Reunification Visa C2. If you have children, parents, spouse permanently residing in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan or citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The visa can be issued for up to 1 year with the right to work.
5. Business visas B2, B3: negotiations, contracts, for founders and members of the Board of Directors, consulting, audit services, installation, repair and maintenance of equipment. Visa is issued for a period of up to 6 months, but with a period of stay in Kazakhstan not exceeding 90 days. Without the right to work.
6. Visa for residence permit, B8. Visa category B8 is issued for up to 90 days. It is required to obtain a residence permit. The visa can be obtained in the country of citizenship, and in the territory of Kazakhstan. The B8 visa does not entitle you to work.
7. Visa B12, tourist. The visa is issued for up to 90 days, with a period of stay not exceeding 30 days. The visa does not give the right to work and is issued only in the presence of an invitation from a travel company. We do not deal with B12 visas.
8. Visa B10 for private travel. Issued to family members of citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan or ethnic Kazakhs, for private travel or for travelling in connection with the death of a loved one. As a rule, the visa is issued for up to 90 days. The visa does not grant the right to work.

IMPORTANT: after entering Kazakhstan and regardless of the category of visa obtained, it is necessary to submit a notification of entry to the migration authorities within 3 working days.

Electronic visas to Kazakhstan

An electronic visa is available to enter Kazakhstan. All of them are single entry and can be issued for tourism, treatment and business trips. List of countries which allowed to get electronic visas you can find here.

TRP (temporary residence permit) what is it and who needs it?  

Citizens of some CIS countries must obtain a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) to stay in the Republic of Kazakhstan for a longer period of time than allowed. The temporary residence permit is an analogue of a visa, only for some CIS countries. Ukraine and Georgia, for example, must obtain a visa for long-term stay.

In order to obtain a temporary residence permit, the accepting party should apply to the Public Service Center at the place of registration. A temporary residence permit can be obtained for a maximum of 1 year, with the right to renew it every year.

A temporary residence permit is issued for the following purposes:

1. Carrying out labour activity
2. Family reunification
3. Obtaining education in Kazakhstani educational institutions
4. Receiving in-patient treatment in Kazakhstani medical institutions
5. Carrying out missionary activities
6. Carrying out entrepreneurial activities (business immigrant)
7. Applying to the internal affairs authorities for a permanent residence permit.

IMPORTANT: Children under the age of 16 do not need a temporary residence permit.

You can find detailed information on obtaining a residence permit here.

Obtaining a residence permit in Kazakhstan. What are the advantages and how long does it take?

The procedure for obtaining a residence permit takes about 2.5-3 months. The list of documents is quite extensive. The advantage is that practically the whole package of documents can be collected while staying on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The exception is a certificate of absence of a criminal record. The personal presence of the applicant and the owner of the flat at some stages will be required.

Among the important documents required for submission for a residence permit:

1. Criminal record certificate issued in the country of citizenship or citizenship, if there is dual citizenship. The certificate is valid for 180 days from the date of issue. Apostille and legalisation is required for most countries except for participants of the Minsk and Kishinev Conventions (CIS countries). The certificate is required on the letterhead of the Ministry of Internal Affairs with the stamped seal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. We recommend to send a scan copy of the document for coordination with the authorised body.
2. Notarised agreement on free housing or notarised agreement on rent of housing in the Republic of Kazakhstan for at least 8 calendar months.
3. Medical certificates. To be collected on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan accompanied by our employees.

The main criteria for obtaining a residence permit in the Republic of Kazakhstan:

• absence of criminal record of the foreigner and close relatives;
• availability of a deposit in the Republic of Kazakhstan in the amount of 1,320 MCI. The amount for 2024, taking into account the increase in the MCI to 3,692 tenge will be 4,873,440 tenge. This is about 11 000 USD with a small reserve;
• it is desirable to have close relatives who are citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
• work on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan for at least 6-12 months or work remotely, etc.;
• having a residence permit or a visa of category B8.

Pros of applying for a residence permit:

• is issued for a period of 10 years or the validity period of the passport;
• requirements of the migration legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan (notification, work permits, registration of residence permits and visas, other procedures) are not applicable;
• possibility to purchase real estate and transport in one’s own name;
• possibility to re-register vehicles registered in one’s own name abroad in Kazakhstan;
• possibility to open a business without special requirements.

RED FLAGS WHEN ENTERING KAZAKHSTAN 

– Filing a notification of entry of a foreigner into Kazakhstan. If you have a visa and entered Kazakhstan, it is necessary to additionally submit a notification to the migration services within 3 working days from the day of arrival. If you have a visa-free regime, it is necessary to submit a notification within 3 working days. If you are travelling with your spouse, children and other relatives, it is necessary to submit a notice of entry. Notification is an additional procedure and having a residence permit, visa is not an exception.

– Visa-free regime and periods of stay. For most countries, the rule is no more than 30 days per entry and a total of no more than 90 days within a 180-day period. If you have already been in Kazakhstan for 90 days under the visa-free regime, you cannot enter for the next 90 days. The 90 days of visa-free regime are given so that you have time to draw up the appropriate documents for a long-term stay. Use the visa calculator to calculate 90-180.