REFERENCE INFORMATION on the procedure for obtaining an electronic entry authorization for the Republic of Kazakhstan

1. Persons subject to the requirement

The electronic pre-entry authorization requirement applies to foreign nationals of countries enjoying visa-free entry to Kazakhstan (85 countries).

2. Implementation period

November 1, 2026 - Aktau International Airport and the Urlyutobe (Pavlodar Region), Aukhatty (Zhambyl Region), Atameken (Turkistan Region) and Nurly Zhol (Jetisu Region) road border crossing points.

January 1, 2027 - Astana and Almaty international airports.

March 1, 2027 - all other crossing points on the State Border of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

July 1, 2027 - electronic authorization becomes mandatory.

Important. During the period from 1 November 2026 through 30 June 2027, the absence of authorization is not subject in refusal of entry; foreign nationals will be recomended to have an electronic entry authorization.

3. Application procedure and border control

Application. Applications must be submitted electronically through the QazETA digital platform no later than 72 hours before the planned date of entry. Applicant identification and/or authentication is provided for.

Validity of authorization. 180 calendar days. Permitted periods of stay in Kazakhstan are determined separately.

Application fee: 0 tenge.

Document at the border. During the crossing the border, the traveler must present the valid passport or other identity document used for the application.

Border checks. Possession of an authorization does not preclude refusal of entry on grounds specified in Article 48 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Population Migration”.

4. Categories exempt from obtaining authorization

1) heads of foreign states, governments and international organizations, and their family members;

2) members of parliaments and governments of foreign states and international organizations, and their family members;

3) honorary consuls of the Republic of Kazakhstan and their family members;

4) holders of diplomatic or service passports, or passports of international organizations, enjoying status equivalent to diplomatic agents and traveling to Kazakhstan to work at diplomatic or equivalent missions of foreign states, international organizations and/or their representative offices, as well as staff of foreign consular posts accredited in Kazakhstan;

5) holders of accreditation certificates issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

6) diplomatic couriers carrying diplomatic mail and holding a courier certificate;

7) foreign nationals entering Kazakhstan by the invitation of the Administration of the President, the Kurultay, the Supreme Court, the Government, law enforcement and special state bodies, the Ministry of Defence or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

8) persons under 16 years;

9) persons aged 65 or older;

10) transit passengers remaining in international airport transit areas without crossing Kazakhstan’s State Border;

11) foreign nationals and stateless persons holding a valid visa of Kazakhstan;

12) foreign nationals holding a temporary residence permit in Kazakhstan;

13) foreign nationals holding a residence permit in Kazakhstan;

14) persons recognized as refugees under Kazakhstan’s legislation;

15) asylum seekers;

16) aircraft crew members listed in the general declaration (flight assignment);

17) sea and river vessel crew members listed in the crew list or an extract thereof;

18) train, refrigerated-car and locomotive crews listed on rosters approved for each journey;

19) personnel of intergovernmental courier communications services holding official identification or travel orders issued by the competent authorities of the Parties’ states;

20) law enforcement officers escorting suspects, accused persons or convicted persons, holding official identification or travel orders, unless otherwise provided by international treaties ratified by Kazakhstan;

21) members of official state and government delegations and accompanying persons;

22) personnel servicing cross-border facilities located in Kazakhstan, holding official identification (name lists certified by the management of the organizations or the local executive authority);

23) passengers of aircraft making forced (emergency) landings at Kazakhstan’s international airports;

24) passengers of sea vessels making forced (emergency) calls at Kazakhstan’s international ports;

25) persons crossing Kazakhstan’s State Border in connection with search-and-rescue operations, where provided for by international agreements ratified by Kazakhstan;

26) persons arriving to participate in humanitarian missions or emergency response at the invitation of Kazakhstan’s state authorities;

27) personnel of medical organizations forming part of medical teams entering Kazakhstan to provide emergency medical assistance;

28) drivers of goods vehicles used in international freight transport with a permissible gross weight, including trailer, exceeding 6 tonnes or a permissible payload, including trailer, exceeding 3.5 tonnes; drivers of buses with more than 12 passenger seats excluding the driver’s seat engaged in international passenger transport; and such drivers transiting through Kazakhstan;

29) persons accompanying the bodies of deceased persons for burial, including in transit.

5. Refusal to issue and cancellation of authorization

Authorization may be refused on the grounds specified in Article 48 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Population Migration”.

Electronic authorization may be cancelled in the following cases:

• according to Article 48 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Population Migration”;
• a decision has been made to shorten the period of temporary stay;
• a decision has been made on administrative expulsion from Kazakhstan;
• authorization was obtained in breach of the procedure established by the Rules.

Notification of refusal or cancellation is sent to the foreign national through the digital platform.