UK visa Kazakhstan

This guide sets out essential information for British national residing in Kazakhstan, including advice on residence requirements, health, education, benefits and more. We are unable to provide any guidance on general lifestyle enquiries apart from the information and links listed below. See our information on what consulates can and cannot do for British nationals.

The British Consular Section in Almaty/Kazakhstan offers consular support and assists British Citizens who face serious difficulties such as hospitalisation, detention or death of a British national overseas or instances where a British National overseas is the victim of a serious violent crime.

Kazakhstan Travel Advice

You can receive email alerts on the current situation in Kazakhstan or how to stay safe by signing up for Kazakhstan Travel Advice which is updated on a regular basis. This way you will be kept up-to-date with official Embassy advice. Alternatively, you may follow the British Embassy in Kazakhstan on Facebook and/or TWITTER which will also keep you up-to-date.

Visas

From 15 July 2014 to 15 July 2015, British passport holders can travel to Kazakhstan without a visa, provided your stay does not exceed 15 days (the day you arrive counts as day 1, regardless of arrival time). If you wish to stay longer than 15 days, you’ll need a visa. Further guidance is available from the Embassy of Kazakhstan.

Make sure you have the right visa for the purpose of your travel, especially for business visas or work permits. Check the validity dates of your visa and any associated restrictions carefully before you travel.

If you violate the conditions of your visa, you could face a short term of imprisonment and/or a ban on entry to Kazakhstan for up to 5 years. Overstaying the date written on your white immigration card may result in similar penalties, regardless of the validity of your visa.

Don’t cross the border into or out of Kazakhstan illegally.

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of your request for a visa. Your passport should also have at least 1 blank page for your visa.

Registering with the Kazakh Authorities

For most visits, British passport holders don’t need to register with the local authorities providing you arrive at one of the 12 international airports. Check with local oblast authorities as some oblasts still insist on the registration requirement for visitors even for short stays.

If you don’t need to register with the local OVIR office (the Department for Visas and Registration under the Ministry of Internal Affairs), you must keep your white immigration card stamped by Kazakh Immigration throughout your journey and present it on departure. If you intend to enter through a land or sea border point check with the Embassy of Kazakhstan to see whether registration is required.

For visits of more than 90 days you will need to register with the local authorities OVIR. Your travel company or employer may do this for you.