Kazakhstan: visa-free visitors may not stay in country over 90 days in 180 days
We inform you that the Kazakh authorities have amended the rules of entry and stay in Kazakhstan: visa-free nationals, including those from the EAEU countries, will no longer be able to re-enter Kazakhstan to extend the allowed period of stay (a practice often referred to as “visa run”) without minding the limit of cumulative stay. These changes will come into force on 27 January 2023.
Which document introduces the changes?
- Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 31 December 2022 No. 1146
What are the changes?
According to the amendments, the total cumulative period of stay of visa-free citizens in Kazakhstan, including those from the EAEU countries (Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan) may not exceed 90 days out of 180 days.
Those who wish to stay longer must obtain a temporary residence permit.
The 180-day period is to be counted back from the day of entry into Kazakhstan: should the limit be exceeded on the day of arrival, entry will be refused.
To verify the compliance on a particular day of stay in Kazakhstan, the 180-day period must be counted back from the relevant day.
Intermark comment
The limit of cumulative stay of 90 days out of 180 days for visa-free citizens has already been established by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Migration of the Population", thus the "visa run" has not been a compliant practice. These changes are aimed at bringing the rules of stay in line with the legislation and exerting greater control over their compliance.
According to the statements made by the Migration Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan, the new rules will apply only to persons who arrive in Kazakhstan after they have come into force.
The maximum period of continuous stay in Kazakhstan remains unchanged: up to 90 days for nationals of the EAEU countries, up to 30 days for other visa-free nationals (unless otherwise established by international treaties or legal acts).