Every way into Kazakhstan.

Short-stay visa for tourism. Single-entry tourist visas allow up to a 90-day stay; multiple-entry tourist visas are valid up to 180 days. Most applicants from the 109 e-visa-eligible countries apply through the Visa and Migration Portal (vmp.gov.kz), which requires a valid electronic invitation registered by the Kazakh host/inviting party through the Ministry of Internal Affairs migration service. The consular fee is USD 60 for a single-entry tourist visa and USD 90 for a multiple-entry tourist visa, paid online and non-refundable. E-visa holders may enter and exit only through the international airports of Astana and Almaty. Citizens of 56+ visa-free countries (most of the EU, UK, Australia, New Zealand and others) do not need this visa for stays up to 30 days (max 90 days per 180-day period). The visa does not lead to residence; long stays require a separate residence permit.

Government fee

$60

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

90 days

Validity

90 days

For travellers transiting Kazakhstan en route to a third country. Single- and multiple-entry transit visas are valid up to 90 days, with each transit stay generally limited to a few days (commonly up to 5 days). The single-entry transit consular fee is USD 20; the multiple-entry transit fee is USD 90. A transit visa requires evidence of onward travel (visa for and ticket to the destination country). It does not authorise employment, study or residence.

Government fee

$20

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

5 days

Validity

90 days

For non-immigrant business visits. B1 covers conferences, forums and business meetings; B2 covers consulting, auditing and professional business activity; B3 covers board members, founders and business negotiators. Single-entry business visas allow up to 90 days; multiple-entry B1/B3 are valid up to 1 year and B2 up to 180 days. The single-entry consular fee for non-tourist/non-transit visas is USD 80; multiple-entry rates run USD 200 (1 year), USD 400 (2 years) up to USD 1,000 (5 years). Business e-visas (issued to citizens of 109 countries) require a valid electronic invitation from a Kazakh company registered via the Ministry of Internal Affairs migration service and are entered/exited only through Astana and Almaty international airports. Business visas do not authorise paid local employment; they cover commercial engagements with a Kazakh counterpart.

Government fee

$80

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

90 days

Validity

365 days

For foreign patients receiving medical treatment in Kazakhstan and their caregivers. Single- and multiple-entry C12 visas are issued for up to 180 days. Medical treatment is one of the three e-visa categories (alongside tourist and business), requiring a valid electronic invitation - here from the treating Kazakh medical institution - registered through the Ministry of Internal Affairs migration service. The single-entry consular fee for non-tourist/non-transit visas is USD 80, paid online and non-refundable; e-visa entry/exit is via Astana and Almaty international airports only. The visa does not lead to permanent residence.

Government fee

$80

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

180 days

Validity

180 days

For international students enrolled at a Kazakh educational institution, and their accompanying family. The single-entry C9 allows up to 90 days; the multiple-entry C9 is issued for up to 1 year, typically covering the academic year and renewed annually. Students apply at a Kazakh consulate or embassy on the basis of an admission/invitation issued by the host university through the migration service, then register a temporary residence permit and IIN in-country. The multiple-entry consular fee follows the general schedule (USD 200 for one year). Students may later switch to a work permit; long-term residence time counts toward the 5-year naturalisation requirement.

• Study: Authorises full-time enrolment at the host institution.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Accompanying family members may obtain dependent visas.

Government fee

$200

Processing time

5 days

Validity

365 days

For foreign nationals (and their family) coming for practical training, internships or qualification improvement with a Kazakh host organisation. The single-entry B7 allows up to 90 days; the multiple-entry B7 is valid up to 180 days. It requires an invitation from the host company or training facility describing the training programme. The single-entry consular fee for non-tourist/non-transit visas is USD 80. The visa does not by itself lead to permanent residence; longer placements move to a work permit and C-category visa.

• Study: Covers practical training and qualification improvement at the host.
• Family: Family members may accompany the trainee.

Government fee

$80

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

180 days

Validity

180 days

Kazakhstan's flagship digital-nomad visa, introduced in 2025 for remote professionals and digital entrepreneurs earning foreign-source income. Applicants must show stable monthly income of at least USD 3,000, typically evidenced by bank statements for the previous 6 months plus a foreign tax return. It is a multiple-entry visa valid up to 1 year, extendable for a further year from within Kazakhstan (max ~2 years). Holders must work 100% remotely for employers/clients outside Kazakhstan; local employment and religious activity are prohibited. Spouses and dependents may obtain visas for the same duration. Required supporting items include international health insurance valid in Kazakhstan and a clean criminal record. The multiple-entry consular fee follows the general schedule (USD 200 for one year). The visa does not by itself grant permanent residence.

• Family: Spouse and dependents may receive visas for the same duration.

Government fee

$200

Processing time

5 days

Validity

365 days

Min. income / month

$3,000

The main employment visa for foreign nationals working for a Kazakh employer. The single-entry C3 allows up to 90 days for first entry; the multiple-entry C3 is issued for up to 3 years. The employer must first obtain a work permit (quota-based, by labour category) and issue an invitation before the visa is granted; a temporary residence permit and individual identification number (IIN) are then registered in-country. EAEU citizens (Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan) may work on an employment contract without a separate work permit, and citizens of certain CIS states have eased rules for working for private individuals. The multiple-entry consular fee follows the general schedule (USD 600 for three years). C3 time as a permanent resident counts toward the 5-year naturalisation requirement.

• Work: Authorises employment with the sponsoring employer under the work permit.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family members may obtain accompanying visas (often C2/C11).

Government fee

$600

Processing time

5 days

Validity

1,095 days

Kazakhstan's 10-year 'Golden Visa', announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 30 April 2025 and effective 10 May 2025, with electronic applications open from 1 June 2025. Foreign nationals who invest at least USD 300,000 in the charter (share) capital of Kazakh companies or in locally listed publicly traded securities may apply electronically for the A6 investor visa, a multiple-entry visa valid up to 10 years. A separate A5 investor visa (up to 5 years) covers heads/deputies of investment companies and their families. The government processing fee is modest (about USD 250). The visa supports long-term residence; it does not itself confer citizenship, but naturalisation becomes possible after 5 years of continuous permanent residence (Kazakhstan does not allow dual citizenship).

• Work: Permits management of the investment; broad local employment needs a work permit.
• Study: Holder and family may study while resident.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family members may obtain accompanying visas/residence.

Government fee

$250

Processing time

5 days

Validity

3,650 days

Min. investment

$300,000,000

For foreign nationals coming to Kazakhstan to conduct entrepreneurial activity (a 'business immigrant'). The multiple-entry C5 visa is issued for up to 2 years with the right to stay for the entire validity period. It is intended for founders and participants of Kazakh companies who actively run a business in the country, and it supports temporary residence registration. The multiple-entry consular fee follows the general schedule (USD 200 for one year, USD 400 for two years). There is no single fixed minimum capital stated for C5 in the visa classification; investors making a qualifying capital investment of USD 300,000+ are instead directed to the A6 investor 'Golden Visa'. C5 holders can register a temporary residence permit and, after the required period of permanent residence, may pursue longer-term residence.

• Work: Permits running one's own business; salaried local employment needs a separate work permit.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family members may obtain accompanying visas.

Government fee

$400

Processing time

5 days

Validity

730 days

For family members of Kazakh citizens or of foreigners holding a Kazakh residence permit, joining their relative in Kazakhstan. The single-entry C2 allows up to 90 days; the multiple-entry C2 is issued for up to 1 year, renewable, and supports temporary residence registration. It requires an invitation from the sponsoring relative plus proof of the family relationship. The multiple-entry consular fee follows the general schedule (USD 200 for one year). Spouses of Kazakh citizens may apply for naturalisation after 3 years of marriage/residence (the general requirement is 5 years of permanent residence); Kazakhstan does not permit dual citizenship.

• Study: Family members may study while resident.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Designed for spouses, children and dependent relatives.

Government fee

$200

Processing time

5 days

Validity

365 days

For foreign nationals under 18 accompanying or joining a parent/legal guardian who is resident or working in Kazakhstan. The single-entry C11 is valid up to 1 year and the multiple-entry C11 up to 3 years, supporting temporary residence registration for the minor. It requires the parent/guardian's invitation and proof of the relationship and guardianship. The multiple-entry consular fee follows the general schedule (USD 200-600 by validity). Children under 16 are commonly exempt from the state duty for residence registration.

• Study: Permits schooling while resident with the parent/guardian.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Specifically for dependent children under 18.

Government fee

$200

Processing time

5 days

Validity

1,095 days

For ethnic Kazakhs (kandas/oralman) of foreign citizenship returning to settle permanently in Kazakhstan. The multiple-entry C1 visa is valid up to 1 year and supports applying for permanent residence; a related C10 covers private visits by ethnic Kazakhs (up to 3 years multiple-entry). Kandas receive a privileged route: they are exempt from many state fees and from the solvency requirement for the permanent residence permit, and they may apply for residence permits regardless of visa category. The Kandas quota and benefits are administered by the state migration/labour authorities. Ethnic Kazakhs follow an eased path to permanent residence and subsequent naturalisation.

• Work: Ethnic Kazakhs may live and work without a work permit.
• Study: Full access to study.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family members of ethnic Kazakhs may accompany and settle.

Processing time

17 days

Validity

365 days

For professionals in high-demand fields - medicine, science, innovation, education and the creative industries - relocating to Kazakhstan. Introduced in 2025 alongside the new digital-nomad categories, B9 is issued as a single-entry visa (90 days) or a multiple-entry visa issued annually, and is designed to let qualified professionals transition into permanent residency and the local job market. The multiple-entry consular fee follows the general schedule (USD 200 for one year). Time spent as a permanent resident counts toward the standard 5-year naturalisation requirement.

• Work: Designed to give qualified professionals access to the local labour market.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family members may obtain accompanying visas.

Government fee

$200

Processing time

5 days

Validity

365 days

A long-term residency-track visa for IT-sector professionals (software developers, designers, DevOps and cybersecurity specialists) seeking to relocate to Kazakhstan. Applicants must secure a petition from Astana Hub International Technopark or another authorised IT-sector body. It is issued either as a single-entry electronic visa (1 year) or a multiple-entry paper visa through the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and supports a path toward longer-term residency and entry to the local labour market. The official notice does not set a fixed minimum income or savings threshold; eligibility rests on the IT-sector petition. Much of the process can be completed remotely, with preliminary approval obtainable online. Astana Hub registration brings tax benefits (0% corporate income tax and VAT, reduced individual income tax) for affiliated IT companies through 2029.

• Work: Supports IT-sector activity and entry to the local labour market via the petitioning body.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family members may accompany; confirm dependent visas with the migration service.

Government fee

$200

Processing time

5 days

Validity

365 days

The B8 permanent-residence visa (single/multiple entry, up to 90 days) lets a foreigner enter Kazakhstan to apply for a permanent residence permit ('vid na zhitelstvo'), issued by the police migration service. The residence permit is valid for 10 years (not exceeding the passport's validity) and is available from age 16 to foreigners permanently residing in Kazakhstan, holders of visa-free agreements, and ethnic Kazakhs (oralman) regardless of visa category. The core requirement is proof of solvency under the official solvency rules, with exemptions for ethnic Kazakhs, refugees and sought-after professionals. Standard processing is 17 calendar days (expedited ~7 working days). Permanent residents become eligible for naturalisation after 5 years of continuous residence (3 years if married to a Kazakh citizen); Kazakhstan does not allow dual citizenship.

• Work: Permanent residents may work without a separate work permit.
• Study: Full access to study as a resident.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family members may apply for their own residence permits.

Government fee

$80

Processing time

17 days

Validity

3,650 days