Information about new visa regulations in the

Republic of Kazakhstan

Please be advised that the new “Visa Issuance Rules in the Republic of Kazakhstan" (hereinafter - the Rules) have been enacted in the Republic of Kazakhstan effective of March 1, 2010.

The Rules are aimed at further liberalization and streamlining of Kazakhstan’s visa regime, as well as pulling them in further compliance with international standards.

The Rules provide for more favorable conditions for private and business travels, tourism, as well as investment activities in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

For the first time, the new rules introduce "missionary" type of visas. The purpose of this innovation is to provide better conditions for legitimate religious organizations engaged in educational and religious activities in Kazakhstan. The measure also fits into the paradigm of Kazakhstan's support for international efforts on preventing religious extremism.

With due account of the international practice, the Rules do not provide for the extension of “business” visas, except for the cases whereby the receiving party is a state body of the Republic of Kazakhstan or a diplomatic mission, consular institution or an international organization duly accredited in Kazakhstan.

The following other visa categories are typically not subject to extension: "private", "tourism", "missionary", and "transit". However, a visa extension may be allowed in exceptional cases (such as serious illness or other emergencies).

These restrictions on the extension of the above visa categories are designed for preventing illegal labor force in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In order to create favorable conditions for foreign visitors, triple-entry visas for tourism and private travel have been introduced. The triple-entry visas will be issued for the period of up to 90 days based on invitations issued or approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan along with passport, visa application and other required documents.

Citizens of 47 countries (please visit our web-site www.mfa.kz for the countries list) can be issued single-entry business and private visas, as well as single- and double-entry tourist visas without an invitation approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. They need only to submit a completed application form, passport and letter of explanation of the purpose of their trip along with the consular fee.

One of the innovations introduced in the Rules is a visa-free stay on the territory of Kazakhstan for the staff of foreign diplomatic missions, consular institutions, international organizations and individuals equivalent thereto, as well as their family members based on the accreditation cards issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. An accreditation card will serve as a replacement for a Kazakh visa for the period of their official (diplomatic) posting to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

According to the new Rules, "investor" category visas may now be issued for a three-year term (up from two-year term) for multiple visits. This measure was introduced to facilitate foreign investors’ trips to Kazakhstan.

The new Rules have also simplified the procedure of visa invitation clearance (for all visa categories except for private travel visas). Thus, according to the new regulations, the inviting entity may address Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry directly, without any pre-approval with the Immigration Police.

According to the New Visa Rules there are 13 visa categories in Kazakhstan:

1) Diplomatic (ДВ);

2) Service (Official) (ҚВ);

3) Investor (ИНВ);

4) Business (ІСВ);

5) Private visit (ЖСВ) - (to visit relatives or friends in Kazakhstan);

6) Tourist (ТСВ);

7) Missionary (МИВ);

8) Study (ОУВ);

9) Medical Treatment (ЕАВ);

10) Work (ЖЕВ);

11) Permanent Resident (ТТВ);

12) Exit (ШЖВ);

13) Transit (ТВ).

Below please find the most up-to-date information on regular visa categories, the order of obtaining, renewal and expiration of a Kazakh visa, as well as documents substituting the visas of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Investors visa (ИНВ)

Investor visas are issued to foreigners – managers and top executives of foreign legal entities involved in the investment activity in the Republic of Kazakhstan, participants of the Regional Financial Center of Almaty (hereinafter - RFCA), and members of their families.

Investor visas are issued for single, double, triple and multiple entries.

Business visa (ІСВ)

Business visas are issued to foreign nationals traveling to the Republic of Kazakhstan for business purposes:

1)       business trip;

2) negotiating, contracting, consulting and auditing services;

3) participation in conferences, symposia, forums, exhibitions, concerts, cultural, scientific, sporting and other events;

4) program of youth, student and school exchanges, except for regular courses at the educational institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

5) implementation of international road transport projects;

6) crew members of regular and charter flights who do not have a certificate of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as well as international train and vessel crews;

7) persons accompanying humanitarian assistance;

8) scholars visiting for a short-term lecture trip, to teach classes at higher educational institutions;

9) installation, repair and maintenance of equipment;

10) founders and co-sponsors of legal entities registered in the judiciary of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Grounds for issuing Business visas (ICB) are:

1) official invitation from government and private legal entities of the Republic of Kazakhstan, diplomatic missions, consular institutions of foreign states, international organizations accredited in the Republic of Kazakhstan;

2) a letter (in loose form) from the foreign nationals of 47 countries (please visit our web-site www.mfa.kz for the list of those countries) to Kazakhstan’s Embassy or Consulate, as well as ethnic Kazakhs (based on documentary proof of their ethnic origin) without an invitation or order from the MFA.

Business visas are issued for single, double, triple and multiple entries.

Private visa (ЖСВ)

Private visas are issued to foreigners traveling to the Republic of Kazakhstan on personal matters, upon submission of one of the following documents:

1) Invitation issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

2) an order of the MFA for a visa, issued on the basis of invitations of diplomatic missions and consular institutions of foreign states, international organizations accredited in the Republic of Kazakhstan;

3) an order of the MFA for a visa, issued on the basis of a decision of the Committee on the criminal-executive system of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan, to foreign nationals visiting to meet with persons serving sentences in correctional facilities in the Republic of Kazakhstan;

4) an order of the MFA for a visa, issued on the basis of invitations by the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan (MOES), regional Education administrations, as well as those of Astana and Almaty cities, to foreign nationals who are willing to adopt a child from Kazakhstan and are duly registered with the Consulates of Kazakhstan as prospective adoptive parents;

5) a letter of foreign nationals traveling to the Republic of Kazakhstan to attend funerals or in cases of illness of relatives / close friends, upon submission of proper documentary proof;

6) a letter of foreign nationals with submission of documents confirming the history of their relationship with the Republic of Kazakhstan (indication of place of birth in Kazakhstan in the national passport of foreigner, a birth certificate issued by Kazakhstan authorities, a document proving a relative entombed in Kazakhstan, a certificate of renunciation of citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan, or lost of citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan);

7) a letter of ethnic Kazakh foreigners (based on documentary proof of their ethnic origin) residing in Kazakhstan until their receiving the national documents of the citizenship of Kazakhstan or a residence permit;

8) a letter of citizens of 47 countries (please visit our web-site www.mfa.kz for the list of those countries);

9) a letter of Kazakh citizens entering Kazakhstan with their spouses, children or parents who are foreign nationals, upon approval of the MFA.

Private visas are issued for single, double and triple entries.

Tourist visa (ТСВ)

Tourist visas are issued to foreign nationals traveling to the Republic of Kazakhstan as tourists.

Tourist visas are issued based on invitations issued to foreign nationals by tourist organization in the Republic of Kazakhstan as well as visa support from the MFA.

Single and double entry tourist visas for citizens of 47 countries (please visit our web-site www.mfa.kz for the list of those countries) as well as for ethnic Kazakhs (based on documents proof of their ethnic origin) are issued without visa support from the MFA, on the basis of their letter or a letter from a foreign tourist company.

Tourist visas are issued for single, double and triple entries.

Missionary Visa (МИВ)

Missionary visas are issued to foreign nationals traveling to the Republic of Kazakhstan for the purpose of religious education.

Missionary visas are issued on the basis of invitations from religious organizations registered in the Republic of Kazakhstan and upon approval by respective authorities responsible for relations with religious organizations.

Missionary visas are issued for single, double, triple and multiple entries.

Visa for Study (ОУВ)

Study visa is issued to foreign nationals:

1) traveling to the Republic of Kazakhstan for admission to secondary and higher educational institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, or to study there if a proper MFA visa support is issued on the basis of a letter of educational institutions registered with judicial authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan or the Ministry of Education and Science;

2) traveling to the Republic of Kazakhstan to engage in practical training, internships - based on a letter of legal entities registered with the judiciary of the Republic of Kazakhstan, diplomatic missions and consular institutions of foreign states, international organizations accredited in the Republic of Kazakhstan;

3) for ethnic Kazakhs (based on documents proof of their ethnic origin) who temporarily stay in the Republic of Kazakhstan and enrolled in educational institutions (Schools, Colleges, Universities etc.) of the Republic of Kazakhstan - on the basis of a letter from the educational institution duly registered with the judicial authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan or the Ministry of Education and Science.

Visas for study (ОУВ) are issued for single, double, triple and multiple entries.

Visa for Medical treatment (ЕАВ)

Visas for medical treatment are issued to:

1) foreign nationals going to the Republic of Kazakhstan for treatment, medical examinations and consultations with a proper visa support from the MFA issued on the basis of written applications of medical institutions registered with the judicial authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan or the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan (hereinafter - the MH RK);

2) foreign nationals staying in the Republic of Kazakhstan and in need of hospital treatment, upon submission of written applications from individuals or legal entities as well as a documentary proof of the necessity of hospital treatment issued by Kazakh health agencies;

3) foreign nationals accompanying the above individuals - on the basis of a letter from the health care authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan or the MH RK.

Visas for medical treatment may be issued for single and double entries.

Work visa (ЖЕВ)

Work visas are issued for:

1) Foreign nationals traveling to the Republic of Kazakhstan to work – on the basis of MFA visa support, proper work permit and a letter of the inviting legal entity registered in the Republic of Kazakhstan;

2) foreign nationals traveling to Kazakhstan to work, without permission for foreign labor in accordance with Kazakhstan legislation or international agreements (to which the Republic of Kazakhstan is a part) – based on a letter of the inviting legal entity registered in the Republic of Kazakhstan;

3) non-working family members dependent on individuals listed in subparagraphs 1) and 2) of this paragraph, (with indication in the visa as "no right to work") – upon a letter of a legal entity registered with judicial authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan and upon submission of documents confirming relationship to individuals referred to in subparagraphs 1) and 2) of this paragraph as well as copies of the work category visas (ЖЕВ) issued to individuals referred to in subparagraphs 1) and 2) of this paragraph.

Work visas are issued for single, double, triple and multiple entries.

Visa for Permanent residence (ТТВ)

Visas for permanent residence are issued to foreign nationals:

1) Traveling to the Republic of Kazakhstan for permanent residence - on the basis of personal written requests and with proper visa support of the MFA;

2) visiting the Republic of Kazakhstan on private matters and afterwards applying for a permanent residence in the Republic of Kazakhstan - on the basis of a personal letter from citizens of 47 countries (please visit our web-site www.mfa.kz for the list of those countries) as well as ethnic Kazakhs (based on documentary proof of their ethnic origin).

3) applying for the refugee status or asylum in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Visas for permanent residence permits may be issued for single and double entries.

Exit visa (ШЖВ)

Exit visas are issued to:

1) Foreigners permanently residing in the Republic of Kazakhstan – on the basis of the permission of internal affairs authorities (Immigration Police);

2) foreign nationals who have lost their passport or other documents granting the right to cross the state border of the Republic of Kazakhstan while in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan - on the basis of written applications of diplomatic missions, consular institutions of foreign countries and certificates of return to their country of permanent residence;

3) Aliens subject to deportation from the Republic of Kazakhstan in accordance with a proper court order.

Visas in this category are issued only at checkout.

Transit Visa (TВ)

Transit visas are issued for travel through the territory of Republic of Kazakhstan for foreign nationals who are not entitled to visa-free transit, if they have travel documents, visa or other documentary grounds entitling entry to a third country.

An alien passing through the Republic of Kazakhstan to neighboring states in a private vehicle may be issued a transit visa upon submission of the above documents, as well as driver's license and proper documentation for the vehicle.

Transit visas are issued for single, double and triple entries.

Kazakhstan Visa-substituting Documents

Documents substituting Kazakhstan visas are as follows:

1.    accreditation identification issued by the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs to diplomatic officers, consular officers of foreign states, international organizations’ staff accredited in the Republic of Kazakhstan and individuals equivalent thereto as well as their family members;

2.    residence permit for foreigners permanently residing in the Republic of Kazakhstan issued by the Ministry of the Interior Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

3.    non-citizen’s identification issued by the Kazakh Ministry of Interior;

Expiration and Duration of Kazakhstan Visas

Single, double, and triple entry visas of all categories are issued for a period of up to 90 days.

Single entry diplomatic, official, business, private, and tourist visas for the citizens of 47 countries (please visit our web-site www.mfa.kz for the list of those countries) may be issued for a period of up to 30 days.

Total duration of stay on the territory of the Republic Kazakhstan of a foreign national holding a “Private” visa category must not exceed 90 days during a year.

Citizens of 47 countries (please visit our web-site www.mfa.kz for the list of those countries) may apply for single and double entry tourist visas for a period of up to 60 days.

Single, double, and triple entry tourist visas are issued for a period of up to 90 days with a right to stay in Kazakhstan no longer than 30 days after each entry during a year.

Single and double entry visas of the “Permanent residence” category are issued for the period of up to 90 days.

Single, double, and triple entry transit visas are issued for the period of up to 90 days with a right to stay in Kazakhstan for 5 days on every one-way transit during those 90 days.

Multiple entry visas of “Diplomatic”, “Official”, “Investor”, and “Business” categories are issued for the period of up to 3 years.

Total duration of foreign national’s stay on the territory of the Republic Kazakhstan on a multiple entry “Business” visa must not exceed 120 days per year, except for individuals whose stay in the Republic of Kazakhstan is governed in accordance with the Decree of the Government of Kazakhstan N836 of June 19, 2001 “Rules of quota definition, conditions and order of issuing authorizations to employers hiring foreign workforce in the Republic of Kazakhstan”

Multiple entry visas of the “Missioner” category are issued for up to 180 days.

Multiple entry visas of the “Study” category are issued for up to 1 year.

Multiple entry visas of the “Work” category are issued for the validity of the authorization for hiring foreign workforce, but for no longer than 3 years.

Visa Extension Rules

The Kazakhstan Foreign Ministry extends the validity of the following visa categories:

1.       Diplomatic and Official visas – issued to foreign nationals who arrived in Kazakhstan by invitation of a state body of the Republic of Kazakhstan, foreign diplomatic missions, consular offices and international organizations accredited in Kazakhstan on the basis of written requests or verbal notes of these organizations;

2.       Investor’s visas – issued on the basis of a letter from the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technologies of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

3.       Business visas – issued to foreigners who arrived in Kazakhstan by invitation of a state body of the Republic of Kazakhstan, foreign diplomatic missions and consular offices as well as international organizations accredited in Kazakhstan on the basis of written requests or verbal notes of these organizations.

Kazakhstan Interior Ministry extends the duration of the following visa categories:

1.       Study visas – issued on the basis of a letter of an educational institution registered in Kazakhstan or Kazakh Ministry of Education and Science. Visas are extended for up to one year.

2.       Medical Treatment visas – issued on the basis of a letter of a medical facility registered in Kazakhstan or Kazakh Ministry of Healthcare. Visas are extended for the period required for proper medical treatment, but no longer than one year.

3.       Work visas – based on a letter of a legal entity that had initially processed an invitation to obtain the initial visa as well as a proper work permit for foreign worker. Visa extensions are granted for the duration of the work permit.

4.       Permanent residence visas – based on a foreign national’s personal written request. Visas are extended for up to 60 days.

The duration of Kazakh visas of Private, Tourist, Missionary, and Transit categories may not be extended.

The duration of visas of Medical Treatment and Permanent Residence categories may be extended only one time.

Applications for visa extensions may only be accepted from legal entities, individuals, foreign diplomatic missions and consular offices or international organizations accredited in Kazakhstan that had processed the original invitation to obtain the initial visa. Applications from other individuals and entities will not be considered.