Temporary suspension of the Visa-free Regime

Temporary suspension of the Visa-free Regime

Temporary suspension of the Visa-free Regime Do I need a visa to enter the Republic of Kazakhstan?

Due to current epidemiological situation to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Kazakhstan, the Government adopted a number of measures:

  • The visa regime for citizens of 57 countries is extended until December 31, 2021 under the Decree No.727 dated October 30, 2020.

List of countries: Australia, USA, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, UAE, Vatican, Vietnam Germany, Greece, Denmark, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Indonesia, Italy, Canada, Qatar, Cyprus, Colombia, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malaysia, Malta , Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Norve tions, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, the Philippines, Finland, France, Croatia, Czech Republic, Chile, Switzerland, Sweden and Estonia.

  • Suspension of 72-hrs transit visa-free regime for the citizens of China and India is extended until December 31, 2020.

The above means that the citizens of 57 countries who are planning to visit Kazakhstan need to obtain a visa of the appropriate category. All visas will be issued in accordance with the current rules of issuing visas of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In order for a foreign citizen to enter Kazakhstan, the host party needs to apply for a special permission, which is issued by the decision of the Interdepartmental Commission under the Government of Kazakstan. 

Process of obtaining the permission from Interdepartmental Commission on entry of foreign citizen to the Republic of Kazakhstan:

Step 1

The host entity determines the need for the precense of the foreign expert on the project in Kazakhstan.

Step 2

Based on the requirements of the region the host entity prepares an official letter on attracting a foreign citizen addressed to the Akim (Mayor) of the region. After review and preliminary approval of Akimat (local Mayory), an application will be forwarded for further approval by the Interdepartmental Commission.

Step 3

Interdepartmental Commission reviews the documents at the Meeting and makes the decision on issuance or refusal on entry permit of a foreign expert.

Step 4

In case of approval Interdepartmental Commission issues the Minutes of the meeting with the approved list of companies and foreign citizens, who are permitted to enter Kazakhstan.

Step 5

Company follows further standard procedures for attracting a foreign labour to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Before the trip, please, kindly make sure that you have all the necessary documents.

Please note that citizens of 48 countries still have the right to obtain a single-entry visa to Kazakhstan without a formal letter of invitation (visa support) in the following categories:

  • Service (A3)  - duration of stay 90 days
  • Business (B1) - duration of stay 60 days
  • Business (B3) - duration of stay 30 days
  • Private (B10) - duration of stay 90 days
  • Tourist (B12) - duration of stay 30 days

All visas will be issued in accordance with the current rules of issuing visas of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

For all other visa categories, citizens of the above countries will need to provide a formal letter of invitation (visa support) issued via the immigration agency in the Republic of Kazakhstan or via AIFC Expat Centre (for business and work visas) , with the exceptions specified in the Rules of Issuing Visas of the Republic of Kazakhstan. 

However this restriction does not apply to citizens of those countries which have signed bilateral agreements on visa-free travel of citizens with Kazakhstan.
 
CITIZENSHIP ENTRY TO KZ PERIOD OF STAY
ARGENTINA visa-free up to 30 days during a year or visa term
ARMENIA visa-free up to 90 days or employment contract term
AZERBAIJAN visa-free up to 30 days
BRAZIL visa-free up to 30 days during a year or visa term
BELARUS visa-free up to 30 days or employment contract term
ECUADOR visa-free up to 30 days in any 180-day period or visa term
GEORGIA visa-free up to 90 days or visa term
HONG KONG visa-free up to 14 days or visa term
KYRGYZSTAN visa-free up to 30 days or employment contract term
MOLDOVA visa-free up to 90 days or visa term
RUSSIA visa-free up to 30 days or employment contract term
SERBIA visa-free up to 30 days or visa term
TAJIKISTAN visa-free up to 30 days or employment contract term
TURKMENISTAN visa visa term
UKRAINE visa-free up to 90 days within a 180-day period
UZBEKISTAN visa-free up to 30 days

 

If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time by phone: +7 7172 64 3637/ 7340 or make a request.