Visa “C2” for family reunification

Citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan often face the necessity to apply for a visa for family members who have foreign citizenship. You can apply for a visa to close relatives-foreign citizens on a family reunification visa, category C2.

Which family member can get a c2 visa? Who meet the definition of close relatives?

According to Article 27 of the Law on Migration of the Population, a C2 visa can be obtained:

1. Conjoints who have been married recognized in the Republic of Kazakhstan for at least 1 year. Civil marriage, partnership and extramarital relationship are not recognized in the Republic of Kazakhstan;
2. Children, including adopted children, under the age of 18, unmarried and dependent on and/or under the guardianship (custody) of the inviting person;
3. Children, including adopted children, over 18 years old, unmarried and dependent on the inviting person due to the lack of self-support for health reasons;
4. Disabled parents who are dependent on the inviting person;
5. Other family members whose maintenance is the responsibility of the inviting person.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Foreign citizens can also act as an inviting person and apply for a C2 visa for their family members. This is possible for items 1, 2, 3 and 4.

At the same time, a foreign citizen must meet one of the criteria below:

1. who is an ethnic Kazakh or a former compatriot who has received a temporary residence permit for at least 2 years;
2. having a Residence permit (residence permit) in the Republic of Kazakhstan;
3. being a business immigrant, continuously residing in the Republic of Kazakhstan for at least 1 year.

For how long is a category C2 visa issued?

• For a single entry for up to 90 calendar days with the right to stay for the entire period of validity of the visa;
• For multiple entry for up to 1 year with the right to stay for the entire period of validity of the visa or for the period of the TRP of the inviting person (except for citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan).

Where can I get visa for family reunification? 

1. At the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the country of citizenship of a foreign specialist on the basis of an invitation letter.
2. At the Embassy of Kazakhstan in a country of permanent residence other than the country of citizenship, if there are supporting documents for long-term residence (residence permit, study, work, etc. visas).
3. In the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan by the Migration Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, subject to the availability of valid visas of categories “B 10”, “C3” and “C9”.
4. Upon arrival at the international airports of Kazakhstan, subject to a number of requirements. These are exceptional cases and it is necessary to coordinate the details with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

List of documents for a C2 visa:

1. An application of the inviting person-the applicant in a free form.
2. A notarized copy of the TRP of the inviting person, with the exception of citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
3. A notarized copy of the identity card/passport of the inviting person and his family members.
4. A certificate from the bank on the availability of funds confirming the possibility of maintaining each family member per month in the amount of at least the minimum wage. The minimum wage is set on an annual basis by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
5. Indorsement of the presence of the inviting person housing in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The area of residential property estate must comply with the norms according to the law: at least 15 square meters for each family member;
6. Medical insurance for the invited family member.
7. Notarized copies of documents confirming family relations: marriage certificate for spouses, birth certificate for children and parents. If the documents are not issued in the Republic of Kazakhstan, then they need to be apostilled / legalized depending on the country of issue.
8. Police certificate (certificate of the presence or absence of a criminal record) of the invited family member – for adults. The certificate must be issued by the authorized body of the country of citizenship or permanent residence of the invited family member.
9. Visa application form filled out and signed by the invited family member.
10. 1 color or black-and-white photo 3.5 * 4.5 – is pasted on the visa application form.
11. The original passport of the invited family member.
12. Receipt of payment of the consular fee or state fee.
13. Certificate of undergoing dactyloscopy (fingerprinting)

The cost of obtaining visa of C2 category?

A consular fee of 7 MCI for a single-entry visa and 30 MCI for a multiple-entry visa is charged for processing a visa from 2.

*The MCI for 2023 is 3450 tenge.

The timing of the C2 visa?

C2 visa processing at the Embassy/The Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan abroad takes about 3-5 working days. Visa transfer on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan can take from 5-10 working days and up to 30 calendar days due to the approval of documents with the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Describe a phased plan of action?

1. The invited family member together with the inviting person in the Republic of Kazakhstan must collect all the documents according to the list and submit them to the Embassy/Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan abroad.
2. Dactyloscopy must be done at the RK Embassy/Consulate at the time of visa application.
3. Document review and visa issuance (takes about 3-5 working days).
4. After reviewing/checking documents and issuing a visa, a foreign citizen can arrive in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
5. It is mandatory after arrival in the Republic of Kazakhstan to submit a notification to the Migration Service within 3 working days from the date of crossing the border of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: if the applicant is in the Republic of Kazakhstan on the basis of visas “B10”, “C3” and “C9”, the documents are submitted to the Migration Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan without leaving Kazakhstan.

The documents are submitted by the inviting person or his representative by proxy. After checking and approving the documents, the visa will be issued for a single or multiple stay. If necessary, the inviting person can apply for an extension of the C2 visa without leaving the Republic of Kazakhstan annually by submitting documents according to the list above. The visa extension procedure is identical to the registration of the primary visa.

Rights and obligations of foreign citizens who have arrived for family reunification

According to Article 29 of the Law on Migration of the Population:

1. Children have the right to receive education;
2. The spouse of citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan has the right to work on the same terms as citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan – it is not required to obtain a work permit or a certificate for self-employment;
3. Family members of ethnic Kazakhs and former compatriots, as well as foreign citizens with a residence permit and business immigrants can work in the Republic of Kazakhstan on a C2 visa only if they receive a permit to attract foreign labor or a certificate for self-employment

Risk areas and the main reasons for failures?

The reasons for refusal to issue a C2 visa may be a discrepancy between the subcategory of family members who are provided with the issuance of this visa. Also, if there are errors in the documents, the presence of a criminal record of the invited family member or refusal to coordinate documents with the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a visa may be refused.

What should citizens of countries with which visa-free regime agreements have been concluded do?

Citizens of the EAEU countries (Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Russia), Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan really cannot apply for a visa. In this case, you need to apply for a temporary residence permit (TRP).

Other obligations after obtaining a visa for family reunification

• Obtaining an IIN.
• Submission of arrival notification.
• Execute of a work permit.
• Obtaining a visa  C3.
• Quota.
• Monthly reporting.
• Registration of the TRP.