Visas
All visitors to the Republic of Kazakhstan are required to have a valid visa, which must be issued in advance. In certain circumstances, Australian citizens can obtain visas on arrival with prior arrangement. Only citizens of other nations in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) do not require visas.
Travel conditions in Kazakhstan have improved markedly in recent years and visa support arrangements, air travel, hotel bookings and even airport transfers can generally be arranged through the internet or your Australian travel agent.
Types of visas
New visa rules were introduced in March 2010 to simplify visits to Kazakhstan in most cases.
One of the innovations introduced in the new rules is 'investor' category visas which may now be issued for a three-year term for multiple visits. This measure was introduced to facilitate foreign investors’ trips to Kazakhstan.
Also triple-entry visas for tourism and private travel have been introduced for the period of up to 90 days based on invitations issued or approved by the Kazakhstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Citizens of 47 countries (including Australia) can be issued single-entry business and private visas (as well as single and double-entry tourist visas) without an ‘invitation’ document. Applicants need only to submit a completed application form, passport and letter of explanation of the purpose of their trip along with the consular fee.
Investor visas can be issued to executives from foreign legal entities involved in investment activity in Kazakhstan, participants in the Regional Financial Centre of Almaty and members of their families. Investor visas are issued for single, double, triple and multiple entries.
Business visas are issued to foreign nationals travelling to Kazakhstan for business purposes: business trips; negotiating, contracting, short-term consulting and auditing services; participation in conferences, symposia, forums, exhibitions, concerts, cultural, scientific, sporting and other events; youth, student and school exchanges (except for regular courses at Kazakh educational institutions); implementation of international road transport projects; crew members of regular and charter flights who do not have a certificate of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); scholars visiting short-term to deliver lectures or teach classes at higher educational institutions; installation, repair and maintenance of equipment.
All business travellers to Kazakhstan should travel on a business or investor visa.
To obtain a business visa, Australian citizens should submit their passport, completed application form, photo and processing fee together with a letter on company letterhead outlining the purpose and timing of the visit. Business visas are issued for single, double, triple and multiple entries.
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 a licensed tourist organisation in Kazakhstan as well as visa support from the MFA.
Single entry diplomatic, official, business, private, and tourist visas for the citizens of 47 countries (including Australia) may be issued for a period of up to 30 days. These citizens may apply for single and double entry tourist visas for a period of up to 60 days.
Costs vary according to the type of visa you select, with single-entry visas cheaper than double-entry visas and multiple-entry visas more expensive again. However, as it takes time to organise a visa, Austrade recommends applying for a multiple-entry visa if it is likely that you will be returning to Kazakhstan again within the next 12 months. It is also worthwhile applying for a longer visa than you need, as extending a visa in Kazakhstan can be difficult. A visa extension may be allowed only in exceptional cases (such as serious illness or other emergencies).
When to apply
The Kazakh visa process can take time to complete. The later you leave it, the more expensive the process becomes.
At minimum, Austrade recommends applying for your visa one month in advance of your departure date. It is generally possible but quite difficult and expensive to complete the process in less than two weeks.
Where to apply
Under Kazakhstan migration law, a person can only apply for a visa in a country where they have right of residence for more than 90 days. If you intend to apply outside of Australia (or you are not a citizen/permanent resident of the country where you are applying), please contact the Kazakh mission where you intend to apply in advance to confirm eligibility.
How to apply
If you are a citizen of one of 47 countries (including Australia), you can be issued single-entry business visas (as well as single and double-entry tourist and private visas) without an invitation document. You need only to submit a completed application form, passport and company letter explaining the purpose of their trip along with the specified consular fee.
If you want to obtain a multiple entry business visa, you will need to arrange for your inviting organisation to obtain an official invitation letter (a template can be downloaded from the website of Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry www.mfa.kz). The inviting organisation will then send you the registration number of your visa support letter which is needed to request for a visa from the closest Kazakh consular office along with your completed application form, three photographs, passport, and the appropriate visa fee. The validity of passport should not expire earlier than three months after expiration of the requested visa.
Once you receive your visa, check that all details are correct, as it is easier to correct any discrepancies before you arrive in Kazakhstan.
For further information please contact your nearest Kazakh Embassy or Consulate prior to arrival.
After you arrive in Kazakhstan
Foreigners staying temporarily in Kazakhstan must register with the immigration police to confirm their place of permanent or temporary residence within five calendar days from the date of crossing the border or changing locations. Registration is done free of charge. Many hotels can assist in this process, usually for a fee.
For citizens of 47 countries (including Australia), registration can be completed upon arrival at the airport for up to 90 days, i.e. without requiring an extra trip to the immigration police. Registration at the airport is confirmed by two date-stamps on the migration card.