The unique nature of Kazakhstan startles. It dazzles a traveler with the grandeur of vast steppes and gold domes of mosques, blue surface of Lake Balkhash and modern buildings of Nur-Sultan. The cities of the Great Silk Road and the Baikonur cosmodrome, all those represent Kazakhstan. Occupying an advantageous geographical position and being in the center of the Eurasian continent, the nature of the country is a symbiosis that has absorbed the brightest nature features from both parts of the continent.
For one part, there are rapidly developing cities with modern buildings, on the other part there is the pristine nature of Kazakhstan, deserts, ancient cities and beautiful alpine-like sceneries. Here you can get acquainted with “yurts” (houses of nomads), drink “kumys” (mare's milk), taste amazing dishes of national cuisine, breathe in the healing air, and contemplate an outstandingly beautiful mountain landscapes. For example, the high mountain cluster of Kazakhstan can be called one of the most fascinating ones.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, domestic tourism is developing more rapidly in Kazakhstan, which resulted in opening of new locations and facilities. Regardless of attraction to outdoor activities, mountain routes, horseback riding tours and ancient historical sites, resort vacations will always be the most popular and demanded among tourists.
Nature is pretty much the main reason of travelers` interest in our country, though the architectural heritage also attracts a lot of attention.
Throughout the world, ecotourism is most actively developing near designated conservation areas: national parks and reserves. This is how the oases of wild nature are left untouched by civilization and even if any human activity is allowed it is strictly regulated.
Needless to say that Kazakhstan has a great number of unique conservation areas.
Thus, in the article, we describe a dozen unique places in Kazakhstan that look just as at the paintings of great artists. There you can take stunningly beautiful photos, so if you have a camera you certainly should use it during a trip.
Solo travelling is a new tourism trend resulting from the global pandemic. And Kazakhstan, considering its vast territory, low population density and an abundance of natural parks, is a unique place for solo travels when social distancing will be something unobtrusive and natural.
Foreign citizens enter and leave the Republic of Kazakhstan through checkpoints on the state border using foreign passports or documents replacing them, if they have Kazakhstan visas (if required).
As of March 2020, citizens of 73 countries could enter Kazakhstan without a visa. However, visa-free regime for 54 countries has been suspended until December 31, 2021. Visa-free regime now applies only to citizens of Azerbaijan, Argentina, Armenia, Belarus, Brazil, Ecuador, Georgia, Hong Kong, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, Serbia, South Korea, Tajikistan, Turkey, UAE, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
Who doesn’t need a visa?
Visa-free entry with the right to stay in the country for up to 30 days is granted to citizens of the following countries:
Argentina, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Ecuador, Serbia, South Korea, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan.
The list of countries with visa-free entry to Kazakhstan up to 30 days also included the following countries (suspended until December 31, 2021):
Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vatican, Vietnam.
Visa-free entry with a right to stay in the country for up to 90 days is granted to citizens of the following countries: Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine.
Hong Kong citizens can enter Kazakhstan without a visa with the right to stay in the country for up to 14 days.
Until December 31, 2020, a 72-hour visa-free regime for entry, stay and departure from the Republic of Kazakhstan was valid for citizens of China and India traveling in transit through the international airports of Nur-Sultan, Almaty, Aktau, Shymkent, Karaganda, and Taraz to a third country or returning from a third country. As of April 30, 2021, this regime was suspended until December 31, 2021.
How to apply for a Kazakhstan visa?
For foreign citizens who require a visa to Kazakhstan, today there are two options for obtaining it:
Option 1
Visas are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, foreign agencies and consular posts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In the absence thereof, by specially authorized representatives of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Multiple visas can be issued to foreigners at the request of host organizations.
Option 2. E-visa
As for March 2020, citizens of 105 countries have the opportunity to apply for an electronic tourist visa, citizens of 18 countries - for medical treatment and business visas.
An electronic visa (for business, tourist and medical treatment purposes) is issued on the basis of a valid invitation from the Kazakh side. In order to get this invitation, please contact your receiving party (in the case of a tourist visa - a tour operator or a travel agency based in Kazakhstan). The invitation is issued within 5 business days, after which you receive the 13-digit invitation number, which must be further used to apply for an e-visa on www.vmp.gov.kz.
Visa categories:
Foreigners can enter/leave the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan using a valid electronic visa only at checkpoints at international airports of the cities of Nur-Sultan and Almaty. You must have a printed e-visa to be presented at the airport-check.
You can get additional information on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan or on the Visa-migration portal www.vmp.gov.kz.
The basis for issuing Kazakhstan visas and extending their validity are:
The grounds for issuing entry visas must be consistent with the purpose of stay. Thus, those arriving in Kazakhstan at the invitation of friends and relatives, that is, for private purpose, as well as those arriving for business, studying or tourism purposes, cannot be employed in Kazakhstan, and engage in other activities not related to the purpose of entry indicated on a visa, except as provided for by legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The category and types of visas, the procedure of their issue, as well as the reduction and extension of their validity are determined by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan in coordination with the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Foreigners traveling through the territory of Kazakhstan in transit to visa exempt countries are required to have a transit visa of Kazakhstan.
Passing through the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan in transit by vehicles, including those engaged in international transportation of goods, must follow only roads open to international traffic.
Do I need to register with the migration service after arrival?
30 days without registration
Since 2020, according to the Law signed on December 30, 2019, the compulsory registration of foreigners staying in Kazakhstan for up to 30 days has been canceled. Nevertheless, the receiving party remains obligated to notify the migration service of the arrival of a foreign guest within three business days from the moment of crossing the border. Notification of the arrival can be done online, through www.vmp.gov.kz.
The service is free and has been provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs since 2014.
If a foreign citizen stays in Kazakhstan for more than 30 days
When a foreign citizen stays in Kazakhstan for more than 30 days, the receiving party (hotels, hostels, rental apartments, medical institutions and other legal entities and individuals) must issue a temporary residence permit (kazakhstan registration).
Please note that registration of foreigners and notification of the arrival of foreigners in Kazakhstan are two separate duties that are now assigned to the receiving party.
In February 2021, Kazakhstan launched the “Ashyq” project to prevent the spread of COVID-19 throughoutthe country. When entering public places, visitors must scan a special QR code to ascertain their health status. A “Green” status would determine that a visitor has a negative PCR test or a vaccination passport. If more than three days have passed since the last PCR test, the status of an individual changes to “Blue.” A “Blue” status indicates that a visitor doesn’t have a PCR test or hasn’t had any contact with a COVID-19 patient. A “Yellow” status indicates that a visitor has come in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient. A “Red” status should warn that a visitor is registered as positive for COVID-19 in the database. People with “Green” and “Blue” statuses are free to visit all public places, whereas, people with “Yellow” and “Red” statuses are denied access.
On May 21, 2021, the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Republic of Kazakhstan signed a Resolution on the implementation of the Ashyq project at public places, which should make sure that the project is being implemented across all regions of the country. The institutions and organizations that support the project include:
fitness clubs, yoga centers, spa centers, saunas, swimming pools, Arcades, bowling alleys, billiard hall, karaoke bars, cinemas, theaters, concert halls, philharmonic halls, summer playgrounds; public catering facilities, food courts, banquet halls, (excluding canteens and street food vendors); interregional and urban seasonal (tourist) transportation, exhibitions, oceanariums, marathons and sporting events with spectators, Nur-Sultan International Airport, Almaty International Airport, Shymkent International Airport, Turkistan International Airport (starting from May 31, 2021), Aktau International Airport, and Kostanay International Airport (starting from June 7, 2021).
Please note that if a visitor does not have a smartphone or has a hard time checking his/her status, an employee would happily check a visitor's status with his/her consent. In this case a visitor should notify the employee his/her Individual Identification Number (IIN).
Foreign citizens are also allowed to enter public places only after checking their status. A foreign citizen must show his/her passport number to an employee and an employee will check a foreigner’s status in the app.
Information for foreign citizens! Visa-free entrance to Kazakhstan has been suspended for 54 countries until December 31, 2021.
Although the border of Kazakhstan remains closed to most foreign citizens, international air traffic is gradually being restored. To date, Kazakhstan has resumed international flights to/from South Korea, Georgia, Germany, UAE, Belarus, Turkey, Egypt, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Russia, Poland, Montenegro, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.