Kazakhstan Visa Information
Kazakhstan Visa
Get ready for stunning mountains, endless steppes, and a mix of modern cities and ancient Silk Road history. Before you dive into this adventure, it’s essential to get your travel essentials in order for a smooth arrival.
Kazakhstan offers visa-free entry to many travelers, while others can easily apply for an e-visa online. Knowing the rules for your nationality, ensuring your passport is valid, and planning a few key details will save you time and stress. Whether you’re here to trek breathtaking landscapes, uncover ancient cultures, or savor modern city life, this guide will ensure you’re well-prepared to start your journey without a hitch!
What You Need to Know Before Arrival to Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan Passport Validity
Minimum Validity Requirement: Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from Kazakhstan.
Empty Pages: Have at least two blank pages in your passport for entry and exit stamps.
Damaged Passports: Replace any damaged passports, as they may be refused at border control.
QazETA: Electronic Travel Authorisation for Visa-Free Visitors
Kazakhstan is introducing QazETA, an electronic travel authorisation for travellers who can enter the country without a visa. It is not a visa and does not change how long you may stay visa-free: it is a short online registration that you complete before the trip. QazETA is free of charge. You apply on the official website qazeta.kz or in the QazETA mobile app no later than 72 hours before you arrive, and the authorisation is valid for 180 days. Show the same passport you used in the application at the border.
The requirement is introduced step by step:
- From 1 November 2026: Aktau International Airport and the land border crossings Urlyutobe (Pavlodar Region), Aukhatty (Zhambyl Region), Atameken (Turkistan Region) and Nurly Zhol (Zhetysu Region).
- From 1 January 2027: Astana and Almaty international airports.
- From 1 March 2027: all other border crossings.
- From 1 July 2027: QazETA is required for entry everywhere in Kazakhstan, and travellers without it can be refused entry.
Until 30 June 2027, arriving without QazETA is not in itself a reason to refuse entry; border guards will tell you about the new rule instead. We still recommend applying before your trip, as it is free and quick.
You do not need QazETA if you are under 16 or 65 or older, if you already hold a Kazakh visa or residence permit, or if you only transit through an international airport without leaving the transit area. A few other groups, such as diplomats and transport crews, are also exempt.
Kazakhstan Visa Requirements
Kazakhstan has established specific rules governing the duration of visa-free stays based on the visitor’s nationality. These regulations vary depending on the country of citizenship, with certain countries granted longer or shorter periods of visa-free access.
If your nationality is not listed among those eligible for a visa-free stay, it is recommended to explore the option of obtaining a Kazakhstan e-visa. The e-visa process is straightforward and allows travelers from eligible countries to apply online, streamlining entry requirements. Ensure you verify your eligibility and visa requirements well in advance to avoid travel disruptions.
Visa-Free Travel: Check if your nationality qualifies for visa-free entry, which varies between 14, 30, 60, or 90 days depending on your country.
E-Visa: If a visa is required, apply for a Kazakhstan e-visa online. This process is straightforward and allows travelers from eligible countries to apply without visiting an embassy.
Multiple Entries: If you plan to visit neighboring countries and return to Kazakhstan, ensure you apply for a multiple-entry visa if needed.
Countries Eligible for 90 Days Visa-Free Stay in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan offers a 90-day visa-free stay for citizens of several countries, allowing you to explore this vast and diverse country without the hassle of applying for a visa. This generous allowance gives you ample time to visit Kazakhstan.
Citizens from the following countries can enjoy a 90-day visa-free stay in Kazakhstan, making it easier to explore the country’s unique landscapes, cities, and rich history:
- Armenia
- Belarus
- Georgia
- Kyrgyzstan
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Russia
- Ukraine
The visa-free stay applies within a 180-day period, so you can stay up to 90 days in total during this window. If your nationality qualifies, you can enjoy your visit without needing additional paperwork. However, if your country is not on the list, you can still apply for an e-visa for easier entry into Kazakhstan.
Be sure to check the latest visa regulations and confirm the validity of your passport before traveling, as entry requirements may vary depending on your citizenship.
30-Day Visa-Free Stay in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan offers 30-day visa-free stays to residents of 54 countries, providing a convenient way for travelers to explore the country. This visa-free policy, which initially started on July 15, 2014, was expanded in September 2019 to include 54 countries, and it was fully reinstated on February 7, 2022, after the lifting of Covid-related restrictions.
For eligible travelers, this allows stays of up to 30 days within a 180-day period, making it easier to plan a visit without the need for a visa. Here’s the updated list of countries whose residents can benefit from the 30-day visa-free stay:
- Argentina
- Azerbaijan
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- South Korea
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Oman
- Philippines
- Poland
- Qatar
- Portugal
- Romania
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Turkey
- UAE
- UK
- Ukraine
- USA
- Uzbekistan
- Vatican City
- Vietnam
If you are from one of these countries, you can travel to Kazakhstan without a visa for up to 30 days. Always verify the latest visa regulations before traveling to ensure smooth entry into Kazakhstan!
14-Day Visa-Free Stay in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan offers a 14-day visa-free stay for passport holders from the following countries:
- China
- India
- Iran
- Macau
As of October 24, 2024, holders of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) passport can enter Kazakhstan without a visa for a stay of up to 14 days. This is part of an agreement between Kazakhstan and Macao, aimed at easing travel and strengthening bilateral relations between the two regions.
Countries Eligible for Kazakhstan eVisa
Citizens of 117 countries can apply for an eVisa to Kazakhstan, but they must meet specific conditions, such as obtaining an invitation from Kazakhstan’s Migration Service. Some nationalities can apply for eVisas for business or tourism purposes, while 23 countries have access to eVisas for medical treatment purposes.
Entry Restrictions for eVisa Holders:
- eVisa holders must arrive through Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (now known as Astana Airport) or Almaty International Airport.
Countries That Must Apply for Kazakhstan Visa Through an Embassy
While 117 countries have access to the eVisa system, some nationalities still need to apply for a visa through Kazakhstan’s embassies or consulates. These typically include countries whose citizens are not eligible for the eVisa or do not meet specific visa criteria. It’s essential to verify the details on Kazakhstan’s official government or consulate websites to determine if your country falls under this category.
For a comprehensive list of eligible countries and to apply, visit Kazakhstan’s official government or consulate websites.
Page updated 28.10.2026