Foreign visitors to Kazakhstan can enter visa-free or with an e-visa, depending on their nationality. Most can stay up to 30 days per visit, not exceeding 90 days within a 180-day period. To stay longer, such as for study or work, a residence permit or appropriate long-term visa is required.
Visa Application Upon Arrival
Kazakhstan does not currently offer visas on arrival for most travelers. Instead, eligible nationals must apply for an e-visa online before entering the country. The e-visa is typically valid for single entry and a stay of up to 30 days.
Travelers from visa-free countries do not need to apply, but those who require a visa must obtain it before arrival—either through the e-visa portal or a Kazakh embassy/consulate.
For longer stays (e.g., for study or work), it’s necessary to apply for the appropriate visa type in advance and register with Kazakhstan’s migration authorities after arrival.
Student Residence Permit Application
International students who plan to stay in Kazakhstan for more than 30–90 days (depending on their visa or nationality) must apply for a Student Residence Permit after arrival. This permit allows legal long-term stay for the duration of academic studies.
Permit Validity:
Typically issued for 1 academic year and renewable annually until the end of the study program.
Documents Required for a Kazakhstan Visa (2025)
Visa Type
Student Visa
Countries Requiring Prior Approval
Citizens of the following 57 countries must obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan before receiving a visa:
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Western Samoa, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Djibouti, Chad, DRC (Congo), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, South Sudan, Cambodia, Cameroon, Kiribati, Congo, DR Congo (Zaire), North Korea, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Pakistan, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Suriname, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Transit Visa Through Türkiye Requirement
Required for citizens of the above countries when passing through Türkiye—especially if:
Changing airports
Staying overnight
Exiting the transit zone
Application Method
Must apply through the Kazakh embassy or consulate in the applicant’s home country.
Not Eligible For
e-Visa system
Visa on Arrival
Required Documents
Valid passport
University admission letter
Medical report (including HIV test)
Proof of financial means
Completed visa application form
Passport-size photos
Visa fee payment receipt
Travel insurance
Additional Notes
Approval from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is mandatory before the embassy can issue a visa.
Important Visa Notes for Students
Citizens of certain countries, such as Syria, Nigeria, and Armenia, are required to apply for a Kazakhstan visa in advance from Kazakh embassies in their home countries. They cannot apply for a visa upon arrival or use the e-visa system.
