Kazakhstan launches QazETA pilot digital platform for foreign citizens

Kazakhstan launches QazETA pilot digital platform for foreign citizens

QazETA digital platform for foreign citizens is a state-run digital platform created to provide foreigners with convenient, transparent, and secure access to key migration and related services on a “one-stop shop” basis (a single digital window for foreigners).

The project aims to establish modern and comfortable interaction between foreigners and the state authorities of Kazakhstan, as well as to improve the efficiency and quality of services provided.

The QazETA platform is focused on:

- simplifying the procedures for entry and stay of foreigners in the Republic of Kazakhstan;

- creating a single digital entry point that ensures consistent interaction between foreigners and government services, from entry into the country to everyday services;

- increasing the transparency of processes, reducing application processing times, and improving service quality;

- transferring basic migration procedures to a digital and mobile format.

QazETA is currently operating in pilot mode and will be implemented in stages. The following services are available at this stage:

- Issuance of electronic visas (e-Visa);

- Issuance of electronic entry permits (ETA);

- Obtaining e-Residency status in the Republic of Kazakhstan;

- obtaining a certificate of crossing the state border of the Republic of Kazakhstan for foreigners (including for the purpose of verifying the IMEI of mobile devices).

Main services of the platform:

  1. Electronic visa (e-Visa)

An electronic visa is a digital form of public service for issuing visas to foreigners and stateless persons.

Citizens of 104 countries (list attached) can apply for a single-entry electronic visa for the following categories: “A3” (business), “A5” (investor), “B1”, “B2”, ‘B3’ (business), “B9-1” (Digital Nomad Visa), “B10” (private), ‘B12’ (tourist), “C12” (for medical treatment).

An electronic visa is issued on the basis of an electronic invitation (the invitation is issued by the territorial police authorities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan) and is valid only for the visa recipient and does not apply to accompanying persons. When replacing a passport, the electronic visa must be reissued.

Foreigners and stateless persons may enter and leave the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan using a valid electronic visa only through the checkpoints of international airports of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

  1. Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

The ETA is intended for citizens of countries exempt from visa requirements of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The authorization is issued in electronic form.

Foreigners planning to travel to Kazakhstan must apply for an ETA via a mobile app no later than 72 hours before their trip.

The ETA is valid for 180 days.

The actual length of stay of foreigners in Kazakhstan is regulated in accordance with the current migration legislation.

However, an ETA does not guarantee entry into Kazakhstan. The final decision on admission to the country is made by the authorized state body of Kazakhstan during border control.

The following persons are exempt from the requirement to obtain an ETA:

- holders of diplomatic and service passports;

- members of official delegations;

- representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Kazakhstan.

During the pilot period, obtaining an ETA for citizens of countries exempt from visa requirements of the Republic of Kazakhstan is recommended. Upon its completion, it is planned to gradually introduce mandatory ETA for the above categories of citizens.

  1. Electronic residency (e-Residency)

e-Residency is an innovative tool that provides foreigners and stateless persons outside the Republic of Kazakhstan with access to digital government and commercial services

within the jurisdiction of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC).

e-Residency is implemented within the jurisdiction of the AIFC and provides for:

- remote obtaining of an individual identification number (IIN);

- opening bank accounts and payment cards;

- registration of eSIM;

- remote registration of companies and conducting business.

  1. Obtaining a certificate of crossing the state border of the Republic of Kazakhstan by foreigners(including for the purpose of verifying the IMEI of mobile devices).

In the future, it is planned to expand the functionality, including: obtaining medical insurance, the possibility of expedited border crossing.

Further expansion of functionality is planned, including: medical insurance registration, expedited border control for ETA holders, service fee payment, and other digital services.

The QazETA mobile app is available for downloadon PlayMarket and the App Store.

The project has a technical support service. Requests and suggestions are accepted by email at support@qazeta.kz

List of countries whose citizens are eligible for single-entry electronic visas:

  1. People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
  2. Republic of Angola
  3. Principality of Andorra
  4. Antigua and Barbuda
  5. Aruba
  6. Commonwealth of the Bahamas
  7. Barbados
  8. Republic of Belize
  9. Republic of Benin
  10. United Republic of Tanzania
  11. Plurinational State of Bolivia
  12. Bosnia and Herzegovina
  13. Republic of Botswana
  14. State of Brunei Darussalam
  15. Burkina Faso
  16. Republic of Burundi
  17. Kingdom of Bhutan
  18. Republic of Vanuatu
  19. Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
  20. Gabonese Republic
  21. Cooperative Republic of Guyana
  22. Republic of Haiti
  23. Republic of The Gambia
  24. Republic of Guatemala
  25. Republic of Guinea
  26. Republic of Guinea-Bissau
  27. Republic of Honduras
  28. Grenada
  29. Republic of Djibouti
  30. Commonwealth of Dominica
  31. Dominican Republic
  32. Arab Republic of Egypt
  33. Republic of Zambia
  34. Republic of Zimbabwe
  35. Islamic Republic of Iran
  36. Kingdom of Cambodia
  37. Republic of Cameroon
  38. Republic of Kenya
  39. Republic of Kiribati
  40. Democratic People's Republic of Korea
  41. People's Republic of China (Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, Taiwan)
  42. Comoros
  43. Republic of the Congo
  44. Republic of Costa Rica
  45. Republic of Côte d'Ivoire
  46. Republic of Cuba
  47. Lao People's Democratic Republic
  48. Kingdom of Lesotho
  49. Republic of Liberia
  50. Lebanese Republic
  51. Republic of Mauritius
  52. Islamic Republic of Mauritania
  53. Republic of Madagascar
  54. Republic of Malawi
  55. Republic of Mali
  56. Republic of Maldives
  57. Kingdom of Morocco
  58. Republic of the Marshall Islands
  59. Micronesia
  60. Republic of Mozambique
  61. Republic of the Union of Myanmar
  62. Republic of Namibia
  63. Republic of Nauru
  64. Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
  65. Republic of Niger
  66. Republic of Nicaragua
  67. Republic of South Africa
  68. Central African Republic
  69. Republic of Palau
  70. Republic of Panama
  71. Independent State of Papua New Guinea
  72. Republic of Paraguay
  73. Republic of Peru
  74. Republic of Rwanda
  75. Independent State of Samoa
  76. Republic of San Marino
  77. Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
  78. Republic of Seychelles
  79. Republic of Senegal
  80. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  81. Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis
  82. Saint Lucia
  83. Republic of North Macedonia
  84. Republic of Suriname
  85. Republic of Sierra Leone
  86. Republic of Togo
  87. Kingdom of Tonga
  88. Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
  89. Tuvalu
  90. Republic of Tunisia
  91. Turkmenistan
  92. Republic of Uganda
  93. Republic of India
  94. Faroe Islands
  95. Republic of Fiji
  96. Republic of Chad
  97. Montenegro
  98. Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
  99. Eastern Republic of Uruguay
  100. Republic of El Salvador
  101. State of Eritrea
  102. Kingdom of Eswatini
  103. Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
  104. Jamaica