Introduction of the QazETA Electronic Entry Permit for Visa-Free Foreigners and Transit

Who is affected

Companies inviting foreign specialists, consultants, auditors, and head office representatives from visa-free countries. Branches and representative offices of foreign legal entities. Employers engaging foreign personnel from EAEU member states and visa-free countries. Carriers and logistics companies regarding international transport drivers. Organizers of business trips, conferences, and negotiations. Transit passengers.

What changes

A mandatory QazETA electronic permit is being introduced for foreigners entering Kazakhstan without a visa, including transit travel. Implementation is phased: starting November 1, 2026, checks will begin at Aktau Airport and four automobile border checkpoints, while the absence of a permit is not yet grounds for entry refusal, and the traveler is only informed. Starting January 1, 2027, the check will extend to the airports of Astana and Almaty, starting March 1, 2027, to all other checkpoints, and starting July 1, 2027, the permit becomes fully mandatory and entry will be refused in its absence. The application is submitted via a digital platform no later than 72 hours before entry. Issuance is free of charge, and the permit is valid for 180 calendar days. There are 29 categories of persons exempted from the requirement.

List of changes

• A mandatory QazETA electronic permit is introduced for visa-free entry, including transit travel through the territory of Kazakhstan
• Starting November 1, 2026, checks begin at Aktau Airport and the 'Urlytobe', 'Aukhatty', 'Atameken', and 'Nurly Zhol' checkpoints; at this stage, the absence of a permit does not entail entry refusal, and the traveler is informed of the need to obtain it
• Starting January 1, 2027, the requirement extends to the airports of Astana and Almaty
• Starting March 1, 2027, checks are introduced at all other checkpoints
• Starting July 1, 2027, the permit becomes fully mandatory, and entry is refused in its absence
• The application is submitted via a digital platform no later than 72 hours before the intended entry, with mandatory identification of the applicant
• Permits are issued by internal affairs bodies in coordination with national security bodies
• Issuance is free of charge, the permit is valid for 180 calendar days, and stay is permitted within established limits
• Upon border crossing, the same passport used to apply for the permit must be presented, and verification is conducted via the 'Berkut' unified digital system
• Refusal of issuance is possible on the grounds provided by the legislation on population migration
• The permit may be revoked upon reduction of the period of stay, administrative expulsion, or if issued with violations, and notifications are sent via the platform
• 29 categories of persons are established who do not require a permit provided they have supporting documents, including children under 16, persons over 65, holders of a valid Kazakhstan visa or residence permit, refugees, transit passengers in the airport zone, ship and train crews, international transport and bus drivers, heads of state, and diplomats

Effective date

Starting November 1, 2026 — first phase. Starting January 1, 2027 — Astana and Almaty airports. Starting March 1, 2027 — all other checkpoints. Starting July 1, 2027 — full mandatory requirement with entry refusal. Separate sources indicate October 24, 2026, as the effective date of the act, however, practical consequences arise from November 1.

Details and status

For further details and to check the status, please contact us. This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice.

Source

https://24.kz/ru/news/polezno-znat/802812-s-1-noyabrya-izmenitsya-vezd-v-kazakhstan-komu-ponadobitsya-elektronnoe-razreshenie