Kazakhstan is the largest country in the world that does not have access to the World Ocean. The tourism industry here is conventionally divided into 5 directions, each of them attractive in its own way. The capital of Astana and the “South capital” - Almaty are rich in historical architectural monuments, museums, cathedrals, many beautiful parks and other places for recreation. In Southern Kazakhstan, the Baikonur Cosmodrome is interesting. The eastern side is rare lakes, Altai mountains, rivers and forests, Western Kazakhstan is ancient Mangistau.
Rules for entry into Kazakhstan in 2021
A passport is now sufficient to cross the Kazakh border. For citizens of countries with which Kazakhstan has signed agreements on a visa-free regime, migration cards have been canceled since January 11, 2021. An entry stamp is made in the passport at the checkpoint when crossing the border.
Update March 16, 2021
Kazakhstan has completely closed its border with Russia
The Republic of Kazakhstan has completely closed its border with Russia and other countries. From today, Russians and foreigners will not be able to enter the territory of Kazakhstan. This is due to the state of emergency that was introduced in Kazakhstan.
Citizens of Kazakhstan, persons with a residence permit in the Republic of Poland, foreigners who are family members of citizens of the Republic of Poland and some other categories of citizens will be able to enter Kazakhstan.
As the spread of COVID-2019 infection subsides, normal border crossing procedures will be restored.
Rules for the stay of Russian citizens in Kazakhstan in 2021
Changes for 2021
Changes to Kazakh migration legislation came into force in January. They touched upon the rules for registering foreigners and the permitted period of residence in Kazakhstan. The concept of temporary residence (stay) permit is also introduced.
Length of stay
Under the new rules, Russians and other foreigners entering Kazakhstan without visas will not be able to indefinitely extend their stay in the country. From 2021, the period of stay of Russian citizens in Kazakhstan is limited to 90 days per six months. The limit can be used for one trip or several. A similar rule applies to citizens of Kazakhstan in the Russian Federation.
Those who have entered into an agreement with a Kazakh employer, are studying, undergoing long-term treatment or have other reasons will be allowed to stay longer than 90 days. The receiving party must take care of obtaining the appropriate permit.
Registration of Russians in Kazakhstan
Changes in legislation have eliminated the need for a foreigner to visit the migration service. Registration of Russians in Kazakhstan in 2020 became the responsibility of the host country. Now family members, medical institutions, employers, hotel and hostel owners, educational institutions, private landlords must notify the migration service about this within 3 days after the foreigner’s arrival. This can be done online through the e-government website, visa and migration portal. In the absence of a registered electronic signature, registration of Russian citizens in Kazakhstan in 2021 is carried out by the receiving party by submitting an application for the arrival of a foreigner directly to the migration service.
To travel to Kazakhstan for up to 30 days, a Russian citizen does not need to do anything. The receiving party bears responsibility for failure to notify the migration service of his arrival.
If the host party is responsible for registration, then the foreigner himself is responsible for observing the period of stay in Kazakhstan. A Russian who stays 3 days longer than the permitted time will receive a warning. A delay of up to 5 days will result in a fine of 10 MCI (from January 1, 2021, the monthly calculation indicator is equal to 2,651 tenge). Having overstayed for up to 10 days, a foreigner will pay a fine of 15 MCI. A residence permit expired by 15 days or more will lead the violator to court, which will decide to fine him 25 MCI or expel him from the country. A foreigner will not be released from the country without a court decision.
Obtaining a temporary residence permit in Kazakhstan
If a foreigner needs to stay in Kazakhstan for longer than 30 days, the receiving party must obtain a temporary residence permit (TRP) for him. It is an insert for the passport and contains the period and reason for stay.
Another important innovation is that when obtaining a temporary residence permit, the period of stay cannot exceed 90 days from the date of entry for every 180 calendar days. If a foreigner spent these 90 days in Kazakhstan (several days, a week or a month), the next 90 days, until the end of the six months, the foreigner cannot stay in the republic. They won't let him through at the border.
New rules for registering citizens of the Russian Federation in Kazakhstan for 2021 require the presence of a receiving party, which formally takes responsibility for the foreigner. Without it, you cannot obtain either a simple registration for 30 days or a residence permit.
For foreigners working in Kazakhstan, a temporary temporary residence permit is opened for the duration of the employment contract, but not more than for a year. After a year, you need to cross the border, return back, and you can continue working. Similar rules apply to people who come for study or treatment.
Air traffic between Russia and Kazakhstan
From September 21, citizens of Kazakhstan can freely arrive in Russia, but only if they fly by plane. At first, planes flew only once a week on the Moscow-Nur-Sultan flight. But gradually the number of flights is increasing. For example, from May 12, every Wednesday there is a flight Minsk - Samara - Minsk.
The average price for tickets from Moscow to Nur-Sultan is 17,000 rubles; if you’re lucky, you can find a ticket for 13,500 rubles. True, you will have to fly with transfers. Ticket prices to Russia depend on the route (you are flying to the capital or to the region) and the date. There are tickets for 8,000 rubles, and there are for 25,000. You also need to remember that Kazakhstanis traveling to Russia in transit through third countries must have grounds for entry.
Everyone arriving in Russia must have a negative test for COVID-19. Then take another test and sit in self-isolation for a couple of days, waiting for its results. Since April, an additional rule has appeared for residents of Kazakhstan - when entering Russia, they need to register in the “Travel without COVID-19” and enter the results of the PCR test into it.
Residents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and Belarus need to download the application to enter Russia.
Do you need a passport to Kazakhstan?
Russian citizens who plan to stay in the country for less than 3 months are not required to have a foreign passport.
Russians have the right to visit the Republic of Kazakhstan using a domestic or foreign passport.
There are no special requirements for the validity period of the travel document. The expiration date of the foreign passport must be greater than the planned period of stay in the country.
If the owner's age has reached 20 or 45 years, and a new passport has not been received, the document becomes invalid.
Almaty, Kazakhstan
If these document requirements are violated, the person will not be able to leave the country. You will have to issue a Certificate of Return at the Russian Embassy in Astana. You will need to wait 2 days for such a document to be issued; if additional verification is carried out, the issuance period may take up to 27 days.
A diplomatic, service passport, or seafarer's certificate is also suitable as an identification document that allows you to cross the Kazakh border.
Crossing the border with Kazakhstan in 2021
Russian travelers generally pass through checkpoints without hindrance. The main thing is to provide the necessary documents and comply with customs rules.
Russia-Kazakhstan border
Documents for crossing the border
It is mandatory to present only two documents: a passport of any type, a migration card.
The rules for filling out a migration card are as follows:
- enter data in Russian, Kazakh or English;
- indicate all personal truthful information about yourself in special columns;
- clearly formulate and write the purpose of the visit;
- provide information about traveling together with children under 16 years of age.
A migration card is an official document of a foreigner, with which he has the right to stay on Kazakh territory. In case of loss or damage, local internal authorities should be informed about this in a timely manner.
Update January 10, 2021 - migration cards have been abolished.
Important! Russian health insurance is not valid in Kazakhstan. In order to count on free medical care during your trip, you need to take out travel insurance.
You can obtain a medical insurance policy online on the Cherehapa instant insurance website.
Please note that a citizen who is subject to a ban on traveling outside the Russian Federation will not be allowed to cross the border. Current information on this issue can be found on the website nevylet.rf.
Documents for children
For a child under 14 years old, it will be enough to have a birth certificate with a citizenship stamp; for children over 14 years old, a Russian or foreign passport.
If a minor citizen goes to Kazakhstan without parents, then they need permission, issued by a notary, for the child to travel abroad accompanied by a third party (relative, teacher, coach, educator, etc.).
When the trip is carried out with one parent, permission from the other parent is not required.
Crossing the border by car
To cross the border in a personal car, the driver must be prepared to provide:
- car registration document, driver's license;
- foreign or domestic passport;
Purchasing vehicle insurance is a mandatory requirement. Russian MTPL and Green Card are not valid on the territory of Kazakhstan.
The cost of insurance (as of March 2021) for 15 days is about 1,570 rubles.
A notarized power of attorney for the right to use a car, if the driver is not its owner, is no longer required at the border.
Customs regulations
It is prohibited to transport across the border:
- Weapons, ammunition, drugs;
- Paintings and other antiques of special historical value;
- Specimens of flora and fauna, which are listed in the Red Book, also include saiga horns;
- Canceled securities.
Import and export of currency is allowed without declaration in the amount of up to 10 thousand US dollars according to the rules of the Customs Union, which includes Kazakhstan. When transporting an animal, a veterinary certificate and documentary evidence of vaccinations are required. During the summer, it is prohibited to transport meat and fish.
Traveling with children
Russian residents are allowed to travel to Kazakhstan using a Russian passport or a foreign passport. The passport must have 2 blank pages for the stamp that is placed at the border.
Children under 14 years of age can cross the Kazakh border only with a foreign passport. You cannot drive on a birth certificate. A child's passport is required to identify the child. Children aged 14 to 18 years can cross the border with a Russian resident passport.
Children under 14 years of age enter Kazakhstan using their own passport
You can stay in Kazakhstan without registration for no more than 30 days in a six-month period. If during a month of stay in the country a foreign citizen has registered, he is allowed to stay in Kazakhstan for another 60 days.
In addition to a foreign passport, you need to fill out a migration card for your child. The document must be kept for the entire period of stay in Kazakhstan. Children over 16 years old fill out the migration card independently and must sign. If the child is under 16 years old, parents fill out the form. The document can be filled out in English, Kazakh or Russian.
If a migration card is lost or damaged, parents need to contact the police department at their place of residence to obtain a duplicate.
Full list of documents for crossing the Kazakh border with a child:
- foreign or Russian passport;
- birth certificate.
The list of documents is regulated by Law of the Russian Federation No. 144 of August 15. 1996 “On the procedure for leaving the Russian Federation and entering the Russian Federation” https://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_11376/.
If a child is sent to Kazakhstan without parents, but accompanied by a third party, then the parents must obtain a permit certified by a notary. The document indicates for how long the child is leaving the Russian Federation and to which country, the full name of the accompanying person and the address of residence in Kazakhstan.
If a child is sent to Kazakhstan with only one of the parents, notarized permission from the second is not required.
