KAZAKHSTAN: Visa Exempt Entry for Passport Holders from Selected Countries

July 10, 2015

Passport holders from the following countries are now permitted to travel on a visa exempt basis to Kazakhstan for up to 15 days:

Australia, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, USA and United Kingdom.

Any registration for these country nationals will be conducted by the Border Service of the National Security Committee.  A date will be stamped in the “registration” migration card and can be done on arrival.
 
This exemption will be implemented from 16th July 2015 and extends to 31st December 2017. We expect to receive further confirmation as to whether these exemptions will continue towards the middle of 2018, and we will provide further updates as they occur.
 
If visitors have already arrived in Kazakhstan and they are required to remain there for more than 15 calendar days for further business, they are required to submit an in-country application for a business visa and conduct foreign registration with the migration police. They will then be issued with a business visa allowing them to remain in Kazakhstan for up to 30 calendar days.

There are strict rules and procedures that apply to this process.  The application will involve formal procedures from a supporting entity in Kazakhstan to assist in notifying  the relevant government bodies within a stipulated time frame.

Further, during the visitor”s stay in Kazakhstan, if a business visitor wishes to engage in a joint investment project there will be requirements for them to submit a draft business plan. This must be submitted to the correct  Ministry Committee on Investments. They will in turn confirm the status of the investor and a single-entry visa with the category of “investor” may be granted for a stay of up to ninety days and if necessary a multiple-entry visa with a valid for up to three years.

Please be advised that visitors to Kazakhstan with Investor visas or assignees with confirmed investor status (for countries with visa-free stay) are exempt from passports registration.

Please also be advised that the visa exemption status has been extended up to the end of 2017; however passport holders of the above mentioned countries cannot engage in missionary work, as well as any paid activities in line with Kazakhstan laws.

Should you need any advice and assistance regarding Kazakhstan immigration, please do not hesitate to contact us.