Latest Travel advice Kazakhstan

 July 30, 2021: Information on entry restrictions, testing and quarantine regulations in Kazakhstan

You must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test, taken within three calendar days of travel regardless of where they are traveling from. Alternatively, travelers to the United States may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel. If you need to travel due to an extraordinary humanitarian emergency and you are unable to obtain a test, please see COVID-19 Testing Waivers, below. Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.

Country-Specific Information

• Due to the health risks associated with COVID-19, the Department of State has issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory: Reconsider Travel.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 (Very High) COVID-19 Travel Notice for Kazakhstan.
• The Kazakhstani Ministry of Health has confirmed 595,433 cases of COVID-19 in the country as of August 2, 2021. There are an additional 61,301 cases of pneumonia that are suspected to be COVID-19, though these have not been clinically confirmed.
• S. citizens are urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts from the Embassy and Consulate. Ensure you have added a trip to Kazakhstan on your profile to receive pertinent updates.
• We urge U.S. citizens in-country to remain vigilant and to continue practicing social distancing, frequent handwashing, and enhanced disinfection measures. Please look for ways to prevent becoming a vector for the virus, such as avoiding social gatherings. We recommend that U.S. citizens continue to limit movement in public to essential trips. For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please consult the CDC’s website.

COVID-19 Testing

• Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in Kazakhstan? Yes
• If so, are test results reliably available within 72 hours? Yes
• In general, it takes about two days to get an appointment for a COVID-19 test after requesting one, and results tend to be available in 24 hours. This is general information and may differ based on the provider used.
• Click here to access a list of local medical providers who can advise on COVID-19 testing options. In addition, information on testing locations in Nur-Sultan is available in Kazakh or Russian by dialing local number 109.  Information for locations throughout the country is available in Kazakh or Russian by dialing
• For information on limited humanitarian exemptions, please review the following page: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-testing-required-us-entry.html
• Humanitarian exemptions to this order will be granted on an extremely limited basis and will only be considered when the country of departure lacks adequate COVID-19 testing capacity. To submit information in support of an exemption, email USAKZ@state.gov.

COVID-19 Testing Waivers for Travel to the U.S

Waivers to the testing requirement may be granted by the CDC on an extremely limited basis when extraordinary emergency travel (like an emergency medical evacuation) must occur to preserve someone’s health and safety, and testing cannot be completed before travel.  There are no waivers available for individuals who test positive for COVID-19.  Individuals – or air carriers seeking to allow boarding by potentially qualifying individuals – who believe they meet the criteria for a waiver should contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at USAKZ@state.gov, and provide the information below.  The U.S. Embassy or Consulate will then submit the request to the CDC for consideration.

1. Name (family name/surname, given name), passport number and country
2. Cell phone number including country code of passenger or head of household if family unit
3. Email address of passenger or head of household if family unit
4. S. destination address
   1. Is U.S. destination home address?
5. Departure date
6. Flight itinerary
7. Name of submitting entity if different from passenger
8. Name of company submitting on behalf of passenger(s) (if applicable)
9. Name of point of contact submitting on behalf of passenger(s) (if applicable)
10. Phone and email address for POC submitting waiver request on behalf of passenger(s) (if applicable)
11. Purpose of travel to the U.S. (provide brief explanation of why urgent travel is needed and how travel will contribute to health and safety of passengers(s))
12. Justification for testing waiver (e.g. no testing available, impact on health and safety)
13. Documentation to support justification for test waiver, if available (e.g. medical records or orders for medical evacuation)

COVID-19 Vaccine Information:

• Has the government of Kazakhstan approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use? Yes
• Are vaccines available in Kazakhstan for U.S. citizens to receive? Yes, for permanent residents (see below).
• Which vaccines are available in Kazakhstan? Sputnik V, QazVac, CoronaVac and Sinopharm.
• On April 7, 2021, the Minister of Health announced in a press briefing that foreigners who live and work in Kazakhstan and have permanent residence cards may receive COVID-19 vaccination free of charge just like Kazakhstani citizens. Currently, the only record of this announcement is in media reporting.
• The Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan initiated a multi-stage vaccination program on February 1, 2021. Please see the announcement for specifics on the plan.
• Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.
• The United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.

Entry and Exit Requirements

• Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter?  Yes, subject to strict limitations.
  • The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Kazakhstan advises potential travelers to reconsider visits to Kazakhstan at this time due to the risk of COVID-19 in country. We remind you that the Kazakhstani border remains closed to foreigners with limited exceptions, including diplomats, direct-family members of Kazakhstani citizens, residency permit holders, some employees of designated companies in critical industries, and citizens of those countries with which Kazakhstan has resumed direct flights. Even U.S. citizens qualified for one of these exceptions MUST have a visa in order to enter the country, as the Government of Kazakhstan has extended the suspension of visa-free travel for U.S. citizens to Kazakhstan through December 31, 2021.
  • In addition, foreign permanent residence holders and foreign family members of permanent residents and citizens may only cross the border once every 30 days. The family members must provide documentary evidence of the family ties (for example marriage and birth certificates).
  • Kazakhstan requires that each entry into Kazakhstan be approved prior to entry regardless of whether the U.S. citizen has a single or multiple-entry visa. U.S. citizens planning to exit and re-enter Kazakhstan should ensure their sponsor has received approval from the Interdepartmental Commission prior to each re-entry.
  • Please note that immigration questions are the purview of the Government of Kazakhstan, and we are not permitted to intervene on matters related to entering Kazakhstan. Such matters should be directed to the Kazakhstani Embassy in the United States or, if applicable, your employer.
• Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes
  • The Government of Kazakhstan requires foreign travelers arriving in Kazakhstan to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test with results dated no more than three days prior to their entry to Kazakhstan. If they are unable to provide negative PCR test results, they will be denied entry.  The following are exempt:  children under age five, Kazakhstani Government delegations, and cabin crew.  As of April 30, 2021, citizens and permanent residents of Kazakhstan are also exempt if they can provide documentary evidence they have received a full course of vaccination for COVID-19.  In addition, each traveler must undergo a temperature check and fill out a questionnaire on prior travel, potential COVID-19 exposure, and contact information.  According to Decree 65 of the State Sanitary Doctor, those with elevated temperatures will be isolated in a facility for infectious diseases, regardless of a certificate of negative PCR test result.
  • Please note that some countries may have PCR testing requirements even for transit. Therefore, travelers should check PCR testing requirements for all the stops along their transit route into or out of Kazakhstan. This information may be available on the COVID-19 web pages of U.S Embassies or Consulates in countries through which you will transit.
• Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes
• As of June 5, 2021, US citizens may no longer exit Kazakhstan with expired documents, to include visas. U.S. citizens needing to extend their Kazakhstani visas can contact the Migration Police:
  • In Nur-Sultan: 31 Imanov St. (between Beisekbayev St. and Sembinova St.), Tel. 8-7172-374-851, 8-7172-374-899, 8-7172-374-867, or 8-7172-374-876
  • In Almaty: 109A Karasai Batyr Street (near Nikolsky Bazar), Tel. 8-7272-544-684 or 8-7272-544-145
  • E-gov website: https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/migration/activities/services?lang=en
  • Or on Facebook

Movement Restrictions

• Is a curfew in place? No
• Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? Yes, in some cases.
  • As of May 11, 2021, the Government of Kazakhstan began prohibiting people who accompany departing travelers or meet arriving passengers from entering airports and rail stations in regions in high risk “Red Zones.” An exception exists for airports and rail stations participating in the “Ashyq” application system (please see further information on “Ashyq” in the Quarantine Information paragraph below).
  • Kazakhstan’s regions are empowered to take additional measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 as necessary, including erecting checkpoints to limit travel in and out of cities and oblasts. Before pursuing domestic travel in Kazakhstan, we urge you to research whether checkpoints might be in place that could restrict your ability to travel.   For regional information please see this Kazakhstani “Electronic Government” website.
  • Due to spikes in COVID-19 transmission, travel of U.S. Government officials within Kazakhstan is restricted without specific approval.

Quarantine Information

• Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Possibly
  • Upon entering Kazakhstan, travelers with elevated temperatures will be isolated in a facility for infectious diseases.
• Quarantine Measures: A wide variety of businesses – including gyms and fitness centers, pools, beaches, cultural facilities, museums, exhibits, entertainment centers, religious facilities, some movie theaters, food courts, and recreational facilities – are open, in some cases subject to restrictions on hours of operation subject to capacity limitations.   However, some regional and local governments periodically impose restrictions in response to increases in the infection rate.
• Ashyq Application: Businesses that would otherwise be closed or subject to opening and/or occupancy restrictions may open under less restrictive conditions by participating in “Ashyq,” an application that displays a color-coded risk status for each visitor based on information in Ministry of Health COVID-19 infection, PCR test, and vaccination databases.  Individuals wishing to patronize these businesses must have the Ashyq application on a personal device or provide their passport.  See here and here for more information.
• Masks Required: The Chief Sanitary Doctor of Kazakhstan has mandated that masks be worn nationwide in public settings, including both indoor and outdoor spaces and on public transportation. Failure to comply with this measure could result in administrative penalty.
• Personal Movement Limited: All large events and family gatherings are prohibited. Individual and group outdoor fitness activities are permitted, and people may walk in parks and other public spaces in groups of three or less.

Transportation Options

• Are commercial flights operating? Yes
• Is public transportation operating? Yes

Fines for Non-Compliance:  Yes, individuals who fail to comply with restrictions face fines.

Consular Operations

• American Citizen Services: At present we are offering all American Citizen Services including full passport and citizenship services, ballot collection, federal benefits services, and notarial services.
• Visa services: Limited appointments for immigrant and non-immigrant visa services have resumed at the U.S. Consulate General in Almaty and the U.S. Embassy in Nur-Sultan, respectively.  For more information on visa services, click here.

Local Resources: 

For the most up-to-date information on restrictions in your city or region, please use this link.

Other links: 

• COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov
• CDC page on COVID-19
• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Kazakhstan.html

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