Rules for obtaining visa of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Foreign citizens, as well as stateless persons (hereinafter – foreigners), enter the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan (RK) through border checkpoints open for international and passenger traffic on the basis of visas unless otherwise provided in international agreements ratified by the RK.
The visa of the RK is glued in the passport or other acceptable by the RK document, proving the identity, and valid for passage, and gives the right to enter and stay in the RK, as well as to leave it or cross the territory of the RK by transit.
Subject to the character of staying in the RK, visas are issued for entry, entry-exit, exit, or exit-entry.
1. The basis for issuing visa of the Republic of Kazakhstan and prolongation of their validity terms are the registered in the order stipulated by the legislation written appeals of international organizations, foreign countries’ representations as well as the state organizations of the RK to the Department of Consular Service (DCS) of the RK Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Astana or its representation in the City of Almaty.
Non-governmental organizations inviting foreign citizens as tourists and with business purposes need to submit written appeals to the DCS of the RK MFA after coordination with local subdivisions of migration police service of the regional level (as for the residents of Astana and Almaty cities migration police of the central administration of internal affairs of Astana and Almaty cities).
For invitation of the citizens of Australia, Austria, Andorra, Argentine, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, Vatican, the Great Britain, Hungary, Greece, Denmark, Israel, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Canada, Cyprus, the Republic of Korea, Costa-Rika, Cube, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San-Marine, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, the USA, Turkey, Uruguay, Czechia, Chili, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, France, BRD, Estonia, SAR, Jamaica, Japan with business or tourist purposes a permit from the internal affairs bodies, is not required, it means that invitations of host organizations should be submitted directly to the DCS of the RK MFA (Astana, Almaty).
For foreign citizens arriving to the Republic of Kazakhstan on personal matters, the entrance permit should be registered by the internal affairs bodies of the RK.
2. For obtaining visa of the RK foreign citizens should appeal to a diplomatic/consular institution of the RK in the country of residence submitting valid passport (or international travel document), a copy of invitation letter with a notification of a number of visa support of the DCS of the RK MFA (or original of an individual invitation registered by the internal affairs bodies of the RK), filled visa application and photo. Validity of passport should not expire earlier than three months after expiration of the validity term of the requested visa. The necessity of other documents provision is to be determined by the consul on the spot.
3. For foreign citizens arriving to the RK together with spouses, children or parents – citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan, visa can be registered on the basis of statements of the named relatives, for the term of one month, but not more than twice a year (this restriction could not be related to under age foreign citizens, traveling together with parents – who are citizens of the RK);
4. In case of sickness or death of close relatives, registration of visa is allowed on the basis of relevant international telegram from the RK, attested by a doctor.
5. For Foreign citizens – emigrants from the Republic of Kazakhstan individual visas can be issued for the term of not more than three months to visit native places and graves of relatives on the basis of their own appeals (without mediation of tourist companies’ and confirming documents such as column in a passport) birth certificate in the RK or copies of document on burial of a close relative in the RK, or certificate of transfer out of citizenship of the RK.
6. With the purpose of further liberalization of the order of visiting historical native land, private visa can be issued twice a year for the term of three months to the holders of “certificates for social-economic preferences for representatives of foreign Kazakh Diaspora” on the basis of their own appeals.
“In order to get single entry official, private, tourist, business visa in the Embassies of Kazakhstan foreign citizens mentioned in para 3, 4, 5 and 6 as well as nationals of the following countries do not need letter of visa invitation (visa support):
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Great Britain, Greece, Denmark, Italy, Ireland, Iceland, Germany, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Portugal, Singapore, USA, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, France.
7. Diplomatic visas of the RK are issued to the 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.
8. Official visas of the RK are issued to personnel of foreign diplomatic and other representations and international organizations, who are not referred to the diplomatic category, and also to foreign citizens and persons without citizenship traveling on business matter, invited by state legal bodies of the RK.
9. Business (iskerlik) visa is issued to foreign citizens and persons without citizenship traveling to the RK with business purposes (for participation in business negotiations, different forums, market research, etc.) on the basis of petitions of non-governmental legal entities, registered on the territory of the RK.
10. For registration of tourist visa of the RK it is necessary to obtain approval on admission of the tourist organization of the RK, which should have a license granting a right to implement a tourist activity.
For citizens of the countries indicated in the item 2, visa can be issued in consular points of the RK MFA in the airports of Astana, Almaty, Atyrau, Uralsk and Ust-Kamenogorsk on the basis of petitions of tourist organizations to the DCS of the RK MFA.
11. Transit visa of the RK is registered at the presence of documents (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, not later than 5 days from the moment of arrival to the port or station located in the territory of the RK.
Prolongation of visa of the RK is executed by institutions of the DCS of the RK MFA and administrations of migration police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the RK, internal affairs administration-central administration of internal affairs of regions and the Astana and Almaty Cities.
In the case of obtaining visa in other place, indicated in visa support on different circumstances, visa is issued by foreign institution of the RK MFA in the place, where foreign citizen applied.
For arranging visa support we need the following information:
Name, surname, sex, date and place of birth, passport number, date of issue and date of expiry, citizenship, nationality, permanent address, place of work and occupation, place of visa application, period of staying in Kazakhstan, number of entries to Kazakhstan, address of staying in Kazakhstan, itinerary, purpose of visit (tourism or business), carrier (number of flight or train, date of arrival and departure)
POLICE REGISTRATION
Registration of foreign citizens at the Police should be done within 5 days after their arrival into Kazakhstan. This is also to inform, that the Rule on registration of foreigners now is amended. Nationals of the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Great Britain, Greece, Denmark, Italy, Ireland, Iceland, Germany, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Monako, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Portugal, Singapore, USA, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, France and Republic of Korea can get registration, while receiving their visas at the Kazakhstan Consulates abroad, or can get registration while crossing border checkpoints at 12 international airports of Kazakhstan.
After getting registration at Consulate abroad or at border checkpoint at 12 international airports of Kazakhstan there is no need to apply to Police for registration. If a foreigner does not get registration at above border checkpoints, it is also possible to obtain it at the local police (OVIR) during five days from the moment of arrival.
The inviting company makes this registration. In case you are doing this registration in another place, you should be registered on the whole period of staying in Kazakhstan.
In a case if you had not registered your passport you’ll be fined at departure.
THE MIGRATION CARD
It is issued to every foreign citizen of 16 years of age and older who come to Kazakhstan. The Migration Card must be returned upon departure from Kazakhstan. The migration card is not issued to:
- persons, whose passports are registered by MFA of Kazakhstan
- persons with a visa permitting to stay in Kazakhstan
- train passengers in transit travelling via Kazakhstan
