COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Kazakhstan (02 July Update)

*Can a resident enter the country? *

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter. Citizens and foreign permanent residence holders and foreign family members of permanent residents and citizens may only cross the border once every 30 days.

*Can a foreigner enter the country? *

• No with exceptions

• Most foreign nationals are not allowed to enter.

• The following travellers are exempt from the travel ban:

• Diplomats;

• Direct-family members of Kazakhstani citizens;

• Some employees of designated companies in critical industries;

• Business travellers and travellers with a visa issued by Kazakhstan and approved by the Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan;

• Students;

• Сitizens of the countries with which Kazakhstan resumed direct air communication can enter the territory of Kazakhstan.

• More details on exemptions can be found here.

*Is transit allowed through the country? *

• No with exceptions

• Most foreign travellers are not allowed to transit.

• For eligible international transit passengers connecting in Kazakhstan, a PCR test certificate is also required.

• The 72-hour transit visa-free regime for transit passengers from the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India is suspended until 31 December 2021.

*Is a test required on arrival? *

• No with exceptions

• All passengers are subject to a medical screening on arrival.

• Any individual over five years of age with a high temperature or showing COVID-19 symptoms will be subject to COVID-19 test regardless of a negative PCR test report.

*Is a test certificate accepted? *

• Yes

• Kazakhstan officials accept test results issued outside of the country. PCR test certificates in Russian, Kazakh, or English languages are accepted.

*Test certificate required? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Passengers arriving from foreign countries should have a negative PCR test certificate issued within 72 hours prior to arrival.

• All travellers (including Kazakhstan and Non-Kazakhstan citizens) will not be allowed to board at the departure airport without a negative PCR test result.

• Children below five years old are exempted from testing requirements.

• Travellers who have received an entire vaccination course against COVID-19 in the Republic of Kazakhstan do not need to present a negative PCR test certificate.

*Is quarantine required on arrival? *

• No with exceptions

• Travellers showing symptoms will be tested and quarantined in government facilities until they receive their test results.

• Travellers entering Kazakhstan who test positive for COVID-19 are currently required to self-isolate for 14 days. Those who need medical assistance may be confined to state facilities.

• Based on the above restrictions, the travellers will be required to spend between zero (0) and 14 days in quarantine.

Is a vaccination required?

• No

• A COVID-19 vaccine is not required to enter Kazakhstan.

• Travellers who have received an entire vaccination course against COVID-19 in the Republic of Kazakhstan are exempted from testing requirements.

Insurance required?

• No

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country.

*Entry form required? *

• Yes

• A health questionnaire must be completed and presented upon arrival.

• Travellers need to provide their complete contact details and must provide a statement that they will abide by all COVID-19 restrictions.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• Anyone in self-isolation may be required to download the Smart Astana app, which will be used to monitor compliance with quarantine restrictions. For IOS and for android users.

• Travellers entering the Nur-Sultan airport must have the “Ashyq” mobile app installed on their mobile devices to enter the airport. This rule is also applicable to travellers departing from the Almaty airport. For IOS and for android users

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• International and domestic flights are operating on a limited basis.

• Flights from Belarus, Egypt, Germany, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Netherlands, Russian Federation, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, and Uzbekistan are operating.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Borders are closed, with exceptions. Travellers who are allowed to enter include direct family members of Kazakhstan citizens, diplomats, residency permit holders, employees of some designated critical industries, and citizens of those countries with which Kazakhstan has direct flights.

• Citizens of Kazakhstan can cross the state border once in 30 days. A foreign national who is already in Kazakhstan can leave any time but cannot re-enter sooner than 30 days after departing from Kazakhstan. Also, a foreigner who has a residence permit for the Republic of Kazakhstan, or a family member who has a residence permit, or a family member who is a citizen of Kazakhstan can enter Kazakhstan from abroad and leave whenever they want. These travellers cannot re-enter sooner 30 days after the last departure from Kazakhstan.

• Citizens of the countries with which Kazakhstan has resumed direct flights and persons having a special permit to enter from the Inter-Governmental Commission are exempted from the rule.

• Visa-free service for 54 countries has been suspended until 31 December 2021. The details can be found here

Curfew restrictions

• Moderate

• There is no national curfew in place. Some restrictions and local lockdowns are in place.

• The government of Kazakhstan has divided the country into red, yellow, and green regions depending on the spread of the COVID-19 infection. Authorities of such regions may have some restrictions.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Buses and trains are operating regularly.

• Passengers travelling within Kazakhstan using domestic flights do not require a PCR test certificate.

• Masks are required.

Social restrictions

• Minimal

• Social distancing measures are required in indoor and outdoor public places.

• Individuals 65 years and older should not leave their residence.

*Non-essential shops open? *

• Yes

• Most shops are open, including shopping malls, grocery stores, outdoor markets, and pharmacies with social distancing measures and other sanitary protocols.

• Regional and local governments may restrict the opening of businesses depending on the COVID-19 situation in their area.

*Accommodations open? *

• Yes

• Some hotels are open.

*Restaurants open? *

• Yes

• Restaurants are allowed to open with limited capacity and strict compliance to social distancing requirements.

*Bars and cafes open? *

• No with exceptions

• Cafes are allowed to open. Bars and nightclubs will remain closed.

*Beaches and tourism sites open? *

• Yes

• Beaches are allowed to open.

*Museums and heritage sites open? *

• Yes

• Cultural facilities, museums, exhibits, and entertainment centres are open along with national parks and nature reserves, with limits on the number of visitors and with public health measures in place.

*Personal care services open? *

• Yes

• Beauty salons are allowed to open with social distancing and public health protocols.

• Gyms and fitness centres are open. However, gyms and swimming pools are allowed to operate only by appointment.

*Places of worship open? *

• Yes

• Places of worship and churches are open but with limited entry. Religious sites are allowed to operate.

*Events allowed? *

• No with exceptions

• All large events and family gatherings are strictly prohibited. In a few areas, events are allowed with strict health protocols.

*Masks required in public? *

• Yes

• Masks are mandatory in public places and on transportation. Anyone without a mask may be fined.

Other

• Individual and group outdoor fitness activity is permitted. People can walk in parks and other public spaces in groups of three or less. Sports are allowed.

• Some movie theatres, food courts, and recreational facilities are allowed to open.

• Education centres and outdoor entertainment parks are open with public health measures in place.

• Indoor children's playgrounds, karaoke, billiards clubs will remain closed.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing and maintain a 6-foot distance other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.