Foreigners need visa to enter Kazakhstan, unless their country is in the visa-free list. In general, you might have one of the following three:
– Visa-free entry;
– Visa upon arrival;
– Visa at the Embassy.

Another important issue is registration at the immigration police upon arrival in Kazakhstan. Depending on your citizenship one of the following three rules are applicable:
– Registration should be obtained within 5 days of arrival;
– After 30 days of stay;
– Registration is not required, two stamps are put upon arrival.

The following paragraphs provide detailed insight into Kazakhstan visa and registration issues.

Visa-free entry

Citizens of the following countries, who are eligible visa free entry to Kazakhstan, are divided into two: those who do not need registration of stay upon arrival and those who should hurry up to get it resolved within 5 days of entering the country.

Visa-free and no registration (please make sure, you have received two stamps on the immigration card upon arrival):

Visa-free and registration within 5 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.

E-visa

An e-visa is suitable for foreign citizens who enter or leave Kazakhstan through the international airports of Almaty and Nur-Sultan (formerly 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.

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:

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.