How can foreigners enter Kazakhstan? Visa-free regime, varieties of visas, TRP, Permanent Residency, etc

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 whose citizens are allowed to enter Kazakhstan without a visa. You can find the full list of visa-free countries in our infographic. If you are a citizen of one of the listed countries, you may enter Kazakhstan without a visa. You only need to present a valid passport at the border crossing point.

IMPORTANT:

• After entering Kazakhstan, you must submit a notification of arrival to the migration authorities within 3 working days, regardless of the purpose of your visit, age, citizenship, or other circumstances.
• Do not confuse the period of stay per entry (generally 30 days for most countries) with the total permitted period of stay in Kazakhstan (generally 90 days within a 180-day period). The 90/180-day period can be calculated using a visa calculator.
• Under the visa-free regime, foreign nationals are not permitted to work or receive remuneration for employment. Permitted purposes of entry under the visa-free regime include tourism, private visits, and short-term business trips.
• The 90/180 rule means that a foreign national may stay in Kazakhstan for no more than 90 days within any 180-day period. The calculation is relatively simple:

1. Take the date of entry or departure.
2. Count back 180 days from that date.
3. Calculate the actual number of days spent in Kazakhstan during this period. The total must not exceed 90 days.

Types of visas for foreign citizens to Kazakhstan

If your country of citizenship is not included in the list of visa-free countries, you will need to obtain a visa. All visa categories in Kazakhstan are described in our separate article. Below is a brief overview of the main entry options available to foreign nationals.

Visas with the Right to Work

1. C3 Work Visa. The visa can be obtained under the standard procedure based on a work permit, or under an exemption, for example, for employees of companies with 100% foreign ownership, as well as in other cases provided for by law. The procedure generally takes approximately 1–1.5 months, including the processing of the work permit and other required documents. The visa is issued for 1 year.

2. C5 Business Immigrant Visa. If you plan to establish a legal entity in Kazakhstan or acquire a share in an existing company, you may need a C5 visa. The initial visa is issued in the applicant’s country of citizenship for 90 days. After entering Kazakhstan, it can be extended for up to 1 year. The visa provides the right to work.

3. A5 Investor Visa. The A5 visa is issued to middle- and senior-level executives, provided that there is an investment agreement with the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The visa provides the right to work.

4. A6 Investment Visa. This is a multiple-entry visa issued for a period of up to 10 years. The main requirement is an investment of more than USD 300,000 into the economy of Kazakhstan through a legal entity.

5. C2 Family Reunification Visa. The C2 visa is available if you have children, parents, or a spouse who permanently reside in Kazakhstan or are citizens of Kazakhstan. The visa may be issued for a period of up to 1 year and provides the right to work.

Visas Without the Right to Work

6. B2 and B3 Business Visas. These visas are intended for:

• business negotiations;
• conclusion of contracts;
• founders and members of boards of directors;
• consulting and auditing services;
• installation, repair, and technical maintenance of equipment.

The visa may be issued for up to 6 months, with the period of stay in Kazakhstan not exceeding 90 days. These visas do not provide the right to work.

7. B8 Visa for Obtaining Permanent Residence. The B8 visa is issued for up to 90 days and is required for obtaining a permanent residence permit in Kazakhstan. The visa may be obtained either in the applicant’s country of citizenship or while already in Kazakhstan. The B8 visa does not provide the right to work.

8. B12 Tourist Visa. The B12 visa is issued for up to 90 days, with a maximum period of stay of 30 days. The visa does not provide the right to work and is issued only if the applicant has an invitation from a tourism company. We do not provide assistance with B12 visas.

9. B10 Private Visit Visa. The B10 visa is issued to family members of citizens of Kazakhstan or ethnic Kazakhs for private visits or in connection with the death of a close relative. As a rule, the visa is issued for up to 90 days. The visa does not provide the right to work.

10. Neo Nomad Visa B12-1. The Neo Nomad Visa is a type of tourist visa intended for foreign nationals who work remotely and receive a stable income from foreign sources. The visa is issued as a multiple-entry visa for up to 1 year. It may be requested by any foreign national who has an income of more than USD 3,000 per month for the previous 6 months.

11. B9-1 Digital Nomad Visa. The B9-1 Digital Nomad Visa may be issued as either a single-entry electronic visa or a multiple-entry visa for up to 1 year. It allows the holder to remain in Kazakhstan for the entire validity period of the visa and provides an opportunity to obtain Digital Nomad Residency for up to 10 years. According to the established procedure, the visa is initially issued as a single-entry visa. After entering Kazakhstan, it may be replaced with a multiple-entry visa. The visa is available only to representatives of in-demand IT professions, subject to confirmation of their education and portfolio.

12. Electronic Visas. Foreign nationals may obtain an electronic visa to enter Kazakhstan without visiting a Kazakhstani embassy or consulate. Electronic visas are issued only as single-entry visas and are available for the following purposes:

• tourism;
• medical treatment;
• business trips.

You can find the list of countries whose citizens are eligible to apply for an electronic visa here. Electronic visas do not provide the right to work.

IMPORTANT: After entering Kazakhstan, regardless of the category of visa obtained, a foreign national must submit a notification of arrival to the migration authorities within 3 working days.

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

Citizens of certain CIS countries who wish to stay in Kazakhstan beyond the period permitted under the visa-free regime must obtain a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP). A TRP is essentially an alternative to a visa for citizens of certain countries. For example, citizens of Ukraine and Georgia are required to obtain a visa for long-term residence in Kazakhstan.

To obtain a TRP, the host party must apply to a Public Service Center (PSC/ЦОН) at the place of registration. A TRP may be issued for a maximum period of 1 year and may be extended annually.

A TRP may be issued for the following purposes:

1. Employment.
2. Family reunification.
3. Business immigration — conducting entrepreneurial activities.
4. Accompanying family members and other purposes.

IMPORTANT: Children under 16 years of age do not require a TRP.

For detailed information on obtaining a TRP, please refer to our separate guide.

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

The permanent residence permit (PRP) application process generally takes approximately 3–4 months. The list of required documents is relatively extensive. One of the advantages is that most of the documents can be collected while the applicant is already in Kazakhstan. The main exception is the certificate of no criminal record, which may need to be obtained from the applicant’s country of citizenship or permanent residence, depending on the applicable requirements. The applicant and the owner of the residential property may be required to be personally present at certain stages of the procedure.

Until the end of 2026, there is a restriction on obtaining a PRP under the standard procedure in major cities, including Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, and others.

At the same time, PRP may be obtained in these cities through the Astana Hub Digital Nomad Residency program for IT specialists and through programs for individuals working in in-demand professions.

Advantages of Obtaining a PRP:

• A PRP is issued for 10 years or for the validity period of the applicant’s passport, whichever is shorter.
• Most requirements of Kazakhstan’s migration legislation applicable to temporary residents — including arrival notifications, work permits, TRPs, visas, and other migration procedures — do not apply to permanent residents.
• The ability to purchase and register real estate and vehicles in one’s own name.
• The ability to re-register a vehicle previously registered in the foreign national’s name abroad in Kazakhstan.
• The ability to establish and operate a business without special immigration-related requirements.