Questions on migration legislation of Kazakhstan Printable version
Last update: 27.03.2024Is it possible to stay in Kazakhstan for the period specified in a notification?
It is a notification document and terms specified in the notification do not give the right to stay in the Republic of Kazakhstan beyond the permitted period without reason.
Do I have to notify on the arrival of citizens who came under a visa-free regime?
Yes, a notification should be provided. The visa-free regime does not exempt a host from responsibility to submit notifications.
Who should submit the notification, if a foreigner has arrived as a tourist?
In this case, the notification is submitted by a hotel/hostel where a foreigner is staying or by a travel agency that issued a visa invitation. In some rare cases, if a foreigner rents an accommodation, an accommodation owner submits such a notification.
Who should submit the notification, if a foreigner has arrived as a guest/for a private visit?
The notification is submitted by a host person to whom a foreigner has arrived.
Who should submit the notification on the arrival of family members of a foreign employee?
The host party is an employer of a foreign employee, therefore the employer is responsible for timely submission of notifications for all the family members of an employee.
Is it possible to specify the registered address of a host company in the "Place of residence in the Republic of Kazakhstan" field?
No. This field should indicate an actual address of residence of foreigners. For instance, an address of a hotel/hostel or rented accommodation.
Which local executive body should I apply to for a temporary residence permit?
Documents for obtaining a temporary residence permit are accepted by the "Government for Citizens" Public Corporation at the place of registration, and then transferred to a relevant department of the migration service for consideration and decision-making.
Is it mandatory to apply for a temporary residence permit upon each entry into Kazakhstan?
No, it is not mandatory. The validity of temporary residence permit remains in case of multiple crossings of the State Border of the Republic of Kazakhstan by immigrants within the validity period of such a permit.
A foreigner failed to leave Kazakhstan on time. For instance, a visa has expired. Which penalties/sanctions it entails for a foreigner?
Pursuant to Article 517 of the Code on Administrative Offences, late departure of a foreigner entails:
- within 3 days: a warning
- from 3 to 5 days: a fine of 10 MCI
- from 5 to 10 days: a fine of 15 MCI
- over 10 days after expiration of the established period: a fine of 25 MCI or administrative expulsion from the country.
What is the amount of state fee for issuance of Kazakhstani visas?
- State fee for issuing a letter of invitation for a visa/an exit visa (visa cancellation) amounts to 0.5 MCI.
- State fee for issuing a multiple-entry visa in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan/ extending the validity period of a multiple-entry visa in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan amounts to 30 MCI.
- State fee for extending the period of stay under the visa-free regime for citizens of 57 countries (issuance of a single-entry visa) amounts to 7 MCI.
In what cases is it necessary to submit a notification on a foreigner's stay?
Pursuant to the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a host party notifies the migration service on the arrival of a foreigner within 3 working days. The notification is submitted regardless of citizenship, purpose of entry and in the following cases:
- upon each entry into the Republic of Kazakhstan
- when traveling to other regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- when changing the address of residence in the Republic of Kazakhstan
Do I need to submit a notification if a foreigner has entered the Republic of Kazakhstan for 1 day?
Yes, the notification is submitted regardless of the number of days of stay in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
If a foreigner has replaced the passport, do I need to submit a new notification?
Yes, in this case, you need to submit a new notification specifying the details of a new passport.
What data is needed to submit a notification about arrival?
The following information is required to submit a notification about arrival:
- Passport details.
- Address of stay in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
- Purpose and duration of stay in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Which law regulates the requirement to submit a notification on arrival?
- Rules for provision by host persons of information about immigrants staying with them, as well as transit of foreigners and stateless persons through the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Chapter No. 2: "Host persons should inform the internal affairs bodies about immigrants staying with them within three working days from the date of their arrival"
- Law on Population Migration: clause 4, Article 6: "Registration of immigrants is carried out by internal affairs bodies based on information from host persons, as well as the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan and checkpoints across the state border of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The host persons are obliged to inform the internal affairs bodies about the immigrants staying with them within three working days from the date of their arrival"
- Rules for entry and stay of immigrants in the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as their departure from the Republic of Kazakhstan: clause 9, Chapter 2: "Registration of immigrants is carried out by internal affairs bodies based on information from host persons, as well as the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan and checkpoints across the state border of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The host persons are obliged to inform the internal affairs bodies about the immigrants staying with them within three working days from the date of their arrival".
Is it possible to apply for an e-visa in the Republic of Kazakhstan?
Yes, an e-visa can be issued for the following categories:
- Tourism (B12).
- Business trips (B1, B2, B3).
- Medical treatment (C12).
An e-visa is issued for a single entry only.
According to the applicable visa regulations, citizens of 109 countries* can apply for one of the categories of single-entry e-visa to Kazakhstan.
Appendix 4-4 to the Rules for issuance of invitations and visas
How to apply for an e-visa?
To get an e-visa, you need to:
- register on the website of the visa and migration portal (www.vmp.gov.kz);
- after registration, familiarize with the e-visa issuance requirements;
- enter an invitation number (an invitation number is sent by a host party in the Republic of Kazakhstan) and fill-in the necessary passport details;
- make a payment of consular fee;
- print out an e-visa (visa is generated in your personal account);
- demonstrate a printed e-visa when passing passport control at the international airports of Astana and Almaty.
Is it possible to cross the border overland with an e-visa?
Foreign citizens with e-visas can arrive and depart from Kazakhstan only through the checkpoints of international airports. Overland border crossing is not possible.
Can family members of a labour migrant work under the C3 visa?
Availability of C3 visa type does not entitle family members to work in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. If a family member plans to work in the Republic of Kazakhstan, he/she needs to get the C3 visa from an employer.
For how long the B12 tourist visa is valid?
A single-entry B12 tourist visa is issued for a period of 90 days, with the right to stay for 30 days.
What penalties are provided for host persons for violation of migration legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan?
Pursuant to Article 518 of the Code of Administrative Offences, a host party is hold liable for:
- late notification of migration service about the stay of a foreigner in the Republic of Kazakhstan;
- failure to take measures to process documents for the right of stay (visa, permit, permanent residence permit);
- untimely departure of a foreigner from the country;
Violation entails a fine from 10 MCI (KZT 34.500) to 75 MCI (KZT 258.750) depending on a business entity.
Repeated violation within 12 consecutive months entails a fine of up to 100 MCI (KZT 345.000) followed by inclusion of a host party in the "blacklist" of the Ministry of Internal Affairs / National Security Committee and a ban on issuing visa invitations for 1 year.
When and how to apply for a temporary residence permit?
If a foreign guest (a citizen of CIS, including EAEU) has arrived in Kazakhstan and plans to stay in the country for a period longer than allowed by the visa-free regime, a host party is obliged to apply for a temporary residence permit in a timely manner.
For instance, to obtain a temporary residence permit for labour purposes, an employer should apply to CSC at the place of registration of a company. The package of documents, including an original copy of a foreigner's passport and a copy of work permit or other document that entitles a foreigner to work in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan should be submitted along with an application. Thus, a work permit is not requested from citizens of Russia, Armenia, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan. In this case, nationals of the above countries should attach a copy of an employment agreement to an application.
Learn more about the procedure of temporary residence permit issuance
What is a validity period of a temporary residence permit?
A temporary residence permit is issued for a period of up to 1 year, but cannot exceed the validity period of the passport.
In which cases is it necessary for foreigners to undergo the mandatory fingerprinting procedure?
When applying for the following documents:
Where should foreigners undergo fingerprinting procedure?
When applying for a visa, TRP and PRP, fingerprinting is available in the following police departments on the territory of Kazakhstan: download the list of addresses
When applying for a visa abroad, foreigners undergo fingerprinting at consular offices under the Embassies of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
How the fingerprinting procedure is organized?
Is there an administrative liability provided for in case of refusal to undergo fingerprinting?
Refusal to undergo mandatory fingerprinting entails administrative liability in the form of expulsion from the country in accordance with Article 443-1 of the Code on Administrative Offences.
Are family members (over the age of 16) who accompany a foreigner required to undergo fingerprinting?
Yes, when applying for a visa, TRP or PRP, family members (who have reached the age of 16) should also undergo a mandatory fingerprinting procedure.
The information was prepared with the support of the WPK consulting company.