The key facts

  • The QazETA electronic permit becomes mandatory from July 1, 2027; before that — phased rollout from November 1, 2026 (Aktau airport and four border checkpoints).
  • The permit is free of charge, must be obtained at least 72 hours before entry, and is valid for 180 calendar days; verification via the «Berkut» system.
  • Exempt: children under 16, persons 65+, holders of visas and residence permits, diplomats, transit passengers, crews, and drivers of international transport.

New entry rules

The government of Kazakhstan has approved, by a resolution of October 10, updated rules for the entry, stay, and exit of foreign citizens. The document was first published on October 14 and enters into force ten days later — on October 24, 2026. The main innovation is the QazETA electronic entry permit for foreigners arriving without visas. The requirement applies to citizens of EAEU countries, states with a visa-free regime, as well as India, Iran, and Turkey. According to Zamon.uz, the permit is issued by internal affairs bodies in coordination with national security bodies; the QazETA platform has been operating in test mode since January 2026, and obtaining it is currently recommended rather than mandatory. Initially, it was proposed to issue the permit for a fee, but in the approved rules it is free of charge.

How to apply and what is checked at the border

The application must be submitted no later than 72 hours before the planned entry via the digital platform, after completing identification or authentication. The permit is valid for 180 calendar days, but this period does not determine the allowed length of stay — it is regulated separately and depends on citizenship and the applicable visa-free regime. At the border, the foreigner presents the passport or other document used when applying; the data is checked through the unified digital system «Berkut». Spot.uz, citing Tengrinews, notes that having the permit does not guarantee entry — the final decision is made by the border service. Issuance may be refused or the document annulled on grounds provided by the law «On Migration of the Population», including a decision on administrative expulsion.

Phased rollout

The system is being launched in several stages: from November 1, 2026 — a pilot check at Aktau airport and at the automobile checkpoints «Urlutobe» (Pavlodar region), «Aukhatti» (Zhambyl region), «Atameken» (Turkestan region), and «Nurly Zhol» (Zhetysu region); from January 1, 2027 — the international airports of Astana and Almaty; from March 1, 2027 — all other checkpoints. From July 1, 2027, the permit becomes strictly mandatory, and its absence will become grounds for denial of entry. During the transition period, border guards will conduct explanatory work and will not deny entry solely because of the missing document.

Length of stay

Under the general procedure, visa-free foreigners may stay in Kazakhstan for up to 30 days per entry and no more than 90 days within a 180-day period. Citizens of EAEU countries and Turkey may stay up to 90 days per half-year, while citizens of Iran and India — up to 14 days per trip and 42 days every six months (according to Spot.uz).

Who is exempt

The permit is not required for: children under 16 and citizens aged 65 and older; holders of valid Kazakh visas, residence permits, or temporary residence permits; diplomatic workers, heads of foreign states and governments, and members of official delegations; transit air passengers who do not leave the transit zone; crews of aircraft, sea and river vessels, and train crews; drivers of trucks (from 3.5 t) and international buses. Daryo.uz also mentions employees of international organizations and emergency services.

Additional control measures

According to Spot.uz, the new decision also updates the procedure for registering foreigners and monitoring compliance with migration rules: terms and documents may be checked, including places of residence — hotels and dormitories. The receiving party (an individual or legal entity) must notify the internal affairs bodies of a foreigner's arrival within three working days; the notification obligation remains even if an electronic permit is available. Data on violators is entered into electronic databases. Foreigners expelled from Kazakhstan by a court decision are barred from entry for five years from the moment the decision is enforced. The new procedure also applies to citizens of Uzbekistan, who will have to obtain QazETA before traveling to Kazakhstan.