Kazakhstan introduces the QazETA electronic entry permit: what Uzbek citizens need to know

Kazakhstan introduces an electronic entry permit

Foreigners now need to obtain an electronic permit to enter Kazakhstan. The law was signed by the country's president in June, and in October the government approved the rules for its application. The new rules came into force on October 24, 2026, but the requirements will be introduced gradually, Spot.uz reports.

Who it applies to and on what schedule

The permit is required for all foreigners arriving in Kazakhstan without a visa — citizens of more than 50 countries, including Uzbekistan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, the USA and the UAE. Exempt are children under 16 and people over 65, holders of a Kazakh visa or residence permit, as well as drivers on international routes with supporting documents.

Phased rollout

Until July 1, 2027, the permit is optional: travelers without it will be allowed in and given an explanation of the new rules. From November 1, 2026, the permit will be checked at Aktau airport and at the Uryltyube, Aukhaty, Atameken and Nurly Zhol road checkpoints. From January 1, 2027, the airports of Astana and Almaty will be added, and from March 1, 2027 — all remaining checkpoints. From July 1, 2027, the permit becomes mandatory, and entry may be refused without it.

How to apply and how much it costs

The application is submitted through the QazETA app, which is available in the App Store for iOS and in Google Play for Android, at least 72 hours before the trip. Registration includes a photo of the document, reading the NFC chip of the foreign passport, and video identification; three attempts are allowed for scanning the document. Uzbek citizens cannot apply using an ID card — the app only accepts ID cards issued by Kyrgyzstan or Armenia, so a foreign passport is required. Processing the application takes up to three business days, and the response is sent to the email address provided. Earlier, social media cited amounts of 3.9 and 7.8 thousand tenge, but according to the government resolution, the fee is set at 0 tenge — applying is currently free. For those who did not manage to submit an application in advance, there is an expedited option, FastETA: it is available to those already in Kazakhstan or no more than 20 km from the border, and is processed within up to 5 minutes.

Validity and limitations

The permit is valid for 180 days and allows multiple entries, but it does not replace a visa and does not extend the period of stay. Without a visa, Uzbek citizens may stay in Kazakhstan up to 30 days per entry, but no more than 90 days within every 180 days. Having an approved ETA does not guarantee entry: the decision is made by the border service, which may refuse on grounds provided by law. For transit without crossing the border, an ETA is not required. One email can be used for registration only once — each traveler needs a separate profile. Questions are handled by support at support@qazeta.kz.

Why it matters

The new measure directly affects Uzbek citizens — one of the main groups of visa-free travelers to Kazakhstan. In practical terms, this means that before the trip you need to install QazETA, register with a foreign passport and submit an application at least 72 hours before entry; meanwhile, until July 1, 2027 a transition period is in effect, and applying is currently free. The editorial team notes that, based on experience testing the app, reading the chip can take a long time — for the Spot.uz editorial team it took about 30 minutes, so it is worth allowing extra time.