Paid Electronic Visa for Entry into Kazakhstan - What is Known About the Situation?

Paid Electronic Visa for Entry into Kazakhstan Information has spread online about the introduction of a paid electronic visa for citizens of visa-free countries wishing to enter Kazakhstan starting in November. A bill does exist, but it has not yet been adopted.

The decision on whether the visa will be paid is also still pending. ## Key Details and Important Information The electronic visa issuance system has been operating in a test mode since January, but its use is not mandatory. ## Key Details and Important Information At the end of August, reports emerged that a paid visa would be introduced for entering Kazakhstan, which would also apply to citizens of Uzbekistan. ## Key Details and Important Information The issue of implementing an electronic visa for foreigners was known from the law signed by the head of state and the project of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the republic, but this project is currently at the stage of anti-corruption expertise. ## Key Details and Important Information The question of whether the visa will be paid is still unresolved. ## Process and Consequences The electronic visa issuance system has been operating in a test mode since January, but its use is not mandatory. ## Key Details and Important Information The report from the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs sparked discussions.

The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) officially announced this system, which led to debates and discussions. ## Process and Consequences According to the report, the paid electronic visa system will be launched in Kazakhstan in test mode from August 25 to November 1. ## Key Details and Important Information During this period, foreigners will be allowed to enter Kazakhstan without an electronic visa (QazETA), but they must be warned about the new rules. ## Process and Consequences According to the Serbian MFA report, from November 1, obtaining a visa will become mandatory for those arriving by plane.

From November 15, QazETA will be required for entry at border checkpoints with countries that are not members of the EAEU (including Uzbekistan). From November 30, these rules will also apply to EAEU member states, including Russia.

From December 15, QazETA will also be required for those arriving by train and sea. The Serbian MFA report emphasizes that the visa can be obtained online at least 72 hours prior to entry into the country, and it will be valid for 180 days. ## Process and Consequences When obtained in advance, the cost of QazETA is expected to be approximately 3900 tenge (7.3 euros), and when processed at the border, it will be 7800 tenge (14.6 euros).

What did the Kazakhstan government say about the paid electronic visa? On June 24, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law that includes amendments to migration legislation. ## Process and Consequences This law mentions the electronic visa for entry into the country, noting that a fee will be charged for it. "The entry of foreign citizens and stateless persons into the Republic of Kazakhstan is carried out on the basis of an electronic visa," the law states.

The government of Kazakhstan must determine the order and amount of payment. ## Process and Consequences The document signed by the president was supposed to come into force 60 days after its publication. In early August, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan published amendments regarding the issuance of paid electronic visas for foreigners on the "Otkrytyye NPA" website, where legislative proposals are published, but the price was not clarified.

The ministry plans to gradually implement the system from August to December 2026. The public discussion of the project lasted until August 20, and an online discussion took place on August 31.

At the same time, the digital platform QazETA for foreigners was launched in test mode back in January. According to a message from the Kazakh embassy in Russia in January, it is possible to issue an electronic visa through it for citizens of countries with which a visa-free regime operates (including Uzbekistan).

However, obtaining an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) currently has a "recommendatory character," and its gradual introduction is planned after the completion of the test project. To obtain a visa, an application must be submitted at least 72 hours before departure, and it will be valid for 180 days.

On August 25, 60 days after the law signed by Tokayev was published, reports began to appear on social media that the new migration legislation would start to be implemented in the country. At the same time, the government of Kazakhstan has not yet made any announcements regarding the new entry rules for those crossing the border by air, road, and rail, nor about the deadlines for their mandatory implementation.

Will entry into Kazakhstan be paid for Uzbeks? No official announcement has been made on this matter.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan informed the TASS agency that the issue of introducing a fee "remains open"; conditions and details will be announced after the rules come into effect.