Kazakhstan corona travel restrictions Q&A

[itfcfan]

I haven't seen anything official yet, but Air Astana have updated their "Visa Free Travel to Kazakhstan" page to say the suspension now applies until 31st December 2021 (from the previous 1st May 2021):
https://airastana.com/global/en-us/Info ... Kazakhstan

If this is true, it looks like Kazakhstan is not following Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in starting to re-open to foreign tourists.

For reference, the official status (in Russian) can be found here (still showing 1st May 2021 for now):
http://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/P1200000148

[deidren]

I saw this when I was looking for flight yesterday. A bit disappointing... I was hoping for good news tomorrow and a miraculous visa-free border opening. Here’s hoping it’s sooner than that!

[itfcfan]

Interestingly, the legal text was updated yesterday (shown in the footer of the webpage) removing the suspension notice (rather than updating the date from 1st May to 31st December):
https://web.archive.org/web/20210501090 ... 1200000148

On previous occasions the suspension has been published in KZ state press (e.g. inform.kz) but nothing I can see yet.

Given Air Astana works closely with the KZ government it's likely this is just a delay in publishing the updated regulations. But still a small hope that something could change!

[itfcfan]

I've now seen that several KZ embassies have posted updates confirming visa waiver suspension until 31st December 2021:
https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mf ... entId=5617

Since the pandemic started KZ has restricted issuing visas - in most cases requiring people have either work or close family links to KZ. It's possible KZ may relax this policy before they (hopefully) return to having visa waivers in place.

[nimehner]

I am currently confused by https://www.visakazakhstan.com/travel-restrictions/ listing "Nationals of Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Germany, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Russia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan" as allowed to enter Kazakhstan, but https://caravanistan.com/coronavirus/ says "Exceptions apply for the citizens of Georgia, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Mongolia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Turkey, UAE, South Korea, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Serbia, and Hong Kong."

As a german national the differences in the lists are quite relevant to me Does anybody know which of the lists is right? Will I be able to enter the country?

Thanks for any information, Niklas

[itfcfan]

I am currently confused by https://www.visakazakhstan.com/travel-restrictions/ listing "Nationals of Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Germany, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Russia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan" as allowed to enter Kazakhstan, but https://caravanistan.com/coronavirus/ says "Exceptions apply for the citizens of Georgia, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Mongolia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Turkey, UAE, South Korea, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Serbia, and Hong Kong."

As a german national the differences in the lists are quite relevant to me Does anybody know which of the lists is right? Will I be able to enter the country?

Thanks for any information, Niklas

I think both the lists have relevance, but for different reasons.

Current KZ regulations allow entry to people from countries where "direct flights have been resumed". That matches the list you're seeing from visakazakhstan.com. To be clear, this doesn't necessarily mean people from those countries can arrive without a visa, so I'd definitely contact the KZ embassy in your country if you're on that list as you'll probably need to arrange a tourist visa.

The second list (from Caravanistan) relates to visa-waiver schemes which (due to some reciprocal agreements between governments) are still in place, even though visa-waivers KZ usually has to rich countries are currently suspended. If I was a citizen of one of those countries I would still confirm with the KZ embassy in that country to be sure entry would be allowed.

[frunze]

I am currently confused by https://www.visakazakhstan.com/travel-restrictions/ listing "Nationals of Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Germany, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Russia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan" as allowed to enter Kazakhstan, but https://caravanistan.com/coronavirus/ says "Exceptions apply for the citizens of Georgia, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Mongolia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Turkey, UAE, South Korea, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Serbia, and Hong Kong."

As a german national the differences in the lists are quite relevant to me Does anybody know which of the lists is right? Will I be able to enter the country?

Thanks for any information, Niklas

It is simple, it means you can, potentially enter Kazakhstan but you would need a visa. I don't think it would be feasible to get one as a tourist right now but it doesn't hurt to get in touch with the local kazakh consulate and ask.

The countries in the second list but not in the first (Brazil, Serbia, etc) are countries that do not need a visa normally to enter Kazakhstan in any conditions, due to bilateral visa free agreements which are more comprehensive than the visa waiver program. In case you are citizen of one of those countries and is one of the categories that has an exception to enter (business, diplomatic travellers etc) you can travel without a visa.

[nimehner]

It is simple, it means you can, potentially enter Kazakhstan but you would need a visa. I don't think it would be feasible to get one as a tourist right now but it doesn't hurt to get in touch with the local kazakh consulate and ask.

Thanks for the feedback. I contacted the consulate in Hannover/Germany and they just send me the visa application form and a bank account to wire 50€ to. So while I have not got a visa yet, getting one does not seem to be a problem Also from what I understand no invitation letter is needed (https://caravanistan.com/coronavirus/#kazakhstan says otherwise, but I am not sure what countries this applies to).

[vacarus valentin]

hello! I am planning to travel to Kazakhstan this summer; anyone can send me a business ivitation? I saw is allow to visit for business.
I own an advertising agency and I have some products for this market.
thank you!

[steven]

Keep us posted nimehner! I will honestly say I am very confused about the rules in Kazakhstan.