Overview
Most travelers reading this don't need a Kazakhstani visa at all — citizens of a long list of countries, including the EU, UK, US and many others, can enter visa-free for up to 30 or 90 days depending on nationality, under long-standing bilateral agreements. For nationalities that do need a visa, Kazakhstan has run a self-service e-Visa since 2019, applied for at the government's own Visa and Migration Portal (vmp.gov.kz). The catch: you can't apply for the e-Visa on your own initiative — it's issued on the basis of an invitation from a Kazakhstani party (for tourists, typically a Kazakhstani travel company), which the local host or company registers with migration authorities before you ever open the application form.
Visa categories (e-Visa)
| B12 — Tourist | Single entry, up to 30 days. |
|---|---|
| B1/B2/B3 — Business | Single entry, 30–60 days. |
| C12 — Medical treatment | Single entry, up to 90 days. |
| B10 — Private | Single entry, up to 90 days, for visiting family/friends. |
Tourist e-Visas are currently issued to citizens of over 100 countries; business and medical e-Visas to a shorter list — check current eligibility on the portal.
Documents checklist
- Passport with at least 2 blank pages, valid at least 3 months beyond your visa's expiry, with no damage or alterations
- The invitation number issued by your Kazakhstani host or travel company (mandatory before you can complete the e-Visa form)
- Colour or black-and-white photograph, 3.5 × 4.5cm
- Payment card for the consular fee (payment is by bank card only)
Step-by-step application process
1. Check whether you're visa-exempt
Many nationalities can skip this entire process — confirm your status first.
2. Arrange your invitation
For tourism, this typically comes from a Kazakhstani travel company; they submit it to the migration service and give you the resulting invitation number.
3. Register on vmp.gov.kz
Create an account on the official Visa and Migration Portal.
4. Complete the e-Visa application yourself
Enter the invitation number and your passport details — this final step is genuinely self-service once you have the invitation in hand.
5. Pay the consular fee
Pay online by bank card — $60 USD for tourist, $80 USD for business/medical, per current third-party guides.
6. Print your e-Visa
A printed copy is required at passport control — a phone screenshot alone isn't accepted. Entry is only via Astana or Almaty international airports; land borders don't accept e-Visa holders.
Fees & processing time
| Fee | $60 USD (tourist), $80 USD (business/medical), per third-party sources — confirm current pricing on the portal |
|---|---|
| Processing time | Around 5 business days typically, up to 30 calendar days in some cases |
| Entry points | Astana and Almaty international airports only |
Sources reviewed: vmp.gov.kz (Visa and Migration Portal), egov.kz (e-Government of Kazakhstan), AIFC Expat Centre notices. Invitation requirements, eligible-country lists and fees change — always confirm on the official portal before applying.