Starting in July 2027, it will not be possible to enter Kazakhstan without an electronic permit
Entry for foreigners will remain free
The system will be implemented in phases starting in November 2026; however, entry cannot be denied until July 2027. Photo: Vladimir Tretyakov / Shutterstock.com
On October 14, a resolution was published in Kazakhstan’s Reference Database of Regulatory Legal Acts that amends the Rules for the Entry and Stay of Immigrants in the Republic.
According to the document, citizens of the Eurasian Economic Union (Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan) and approximately 60 other countries (such as the United States, Turkey, India, etc.), with which Kazakhstan has concluded international agreements on visa-free travel, “may enter the Republic and transit through its territory provided they have an electronic entry permit.”
Starting November 1, 2026, a permit will be required to enter the country through four land border crossings—“Urlyutobe” (Pavlodar Region), “Aukhatty” (Jambyl Region), “Atameken” (Turkestan Region), and “Nurly Zhol” (Zhetysu Region), as well as through Aktau International Airport.
Starting January 1, 2027, travelers will be required to present a permit at the international airports in Astana and Almaty, and starting March 1, 2027, at all other border crossing points. However, the document states that until July 1, 2027, the lack of a permit will not be grounds for denying entry.
Twenty-nine categories of immigrants are exempt from obtaining a permit, including children under 16, citizens over 65, and foreign nationals with a temporary residence permit (TRP), a temporary stay permit (TSP), and so on.
An electronic permit is issued by the internal affairs authorities, in coordination with national security agencies, through a digital platform for foreign nationals. The application must be submitted no later than 72 hours before the planned date of entry. The permit is valid for 180 calendar days.
Border Service officers will verify the validity of electronic permits using the unified digital system “Berkut.” The resolution emphasizes that “the fee for obtaining an electronic permit to enter the Republic of Kazakhstan is zero tenge.”
This article was AI-translated and verified by a human editor
