As of 23 Oct 2026, 20:45 (UTC+7)
Kazakhstan is set to start checking QazETA, its electronic travel authorisation, from 1 November 2026 at Aktau International Airport and four road crossings, according to the state news agency Kazinform. More entry points follow in 2027. Foreigners will not be refused entry for lacking QazETA until 1 July 2027.
QazETA itself is free. You apply on the official qazeta.kz portal or the QazETA app at least 72 hours before you travel. Below are the rollout dates and how to apply.
When QazETA starts: the rollout dates
According to Kazinform, which published the details on 14 October 2026, the rollout is set out in a government resolution that takes effect on 24 October 2026. It happens in phases:
| Date | Where |
|---|---|
| 1 Nov 2026 | Aktau International Airport, plus 4 road crossings: Urlyutobe (Pavlodar), Aukhatty (Zhambyl), Atameken (Turkestan) and Nurly Zhol (Zhetisu) |
| 1 Jan 2027 | Astana and Almaty airports |
| 1 Mar 2027 | All other crossings |
| 1 Jul 2027 | End of the grace period: until this date, no one is refused entry for lacking QazETA |
Kazinform reports that at all stages until 1 July 2027, foreigners will not be refused entry because they do not have the permit. From 1 July 2027, QazETA is set to be required. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the same, as reported by Sputnik Kazakhstan: the e-permit will become mandatory from 1 July 2027.
Who needs QazETA?
Check whether QazETA applies to you on the official qazeta.kz portal or with your embassy before you book. Rules and lists can change, so do not rely on social media posts or third-party summaries.
How to apply for QazETA
Apply on qazeta.kz or the QazETA app
The official ways to apply are the qazeta.kz portal and the QazETA app, according to the US Embassy in Kazakhstan and the Russian Embassy in Kazakhstan. Type the portal address yourself rather than clicking a link in an advert or a message.
Before you submit, check that your details match your passport exactly. When your ETA is issued, save a copy on your phone in case you have no signal when you need it. To have mobile data when you land, install a Kazakhstan eSIM before you fly.
Apply at least 72 hours before travel
Official guidance says to apply at least 72 hours before travel. That is three full days. For example, if you fly on a Friday morning, apply by Tuesday morning at the latest. Applying earlier gives you time to fix a mistake.
How much does QazETA cost?
QazETA is free. The US Embassy in Kazakhstan says QazETA registration is free of charge for all travellers.
If a website or app asks you to pay for QazETA, stop and check that you are using the official portal or app. Do not enter card details on a site you are unsure about.
How long is QazETA valid?
180 days, multiple entry
Once issued, a QazETA is valid for 180 days from the date of issue and allows multiple entries, according to the US Embassy in Kazakhstan.
The 180 days count from when the ETA is issued, not from when you travel. If you apply far ahead, part of that period will have passed before you arrive, so check that it covers your whole trip.
QazETA does not extend your permitted stay
This is the point travellers are most likely to get wrong. A QazETA does not extend the length of stay you are permitted in Kazakhstan. The 180 days is how long the authorisation is valid, not how long you can stay.
Check how long you are allowed to stay on the official portal or with your embassy, and plan your exit date around that limit.
Stay connected in Kazakhstan
You may need your phone to open your QazETA confirmation, check official updates or contact your airline. A Kazakhstan travel eSIM lets you set up mobile data before you leave, so you are online as soon as you land.
For getting into the city once you arrive, see our Almaty airport to city guide.
Official sources
- QazETA official portal (qazeta.kz)
- Kazinform: QazETA rollout under the government resolution, 14 October 2026 (Russian)
- Sputnik Kazakhstan: Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the new entry rules (Russian)
- US Embassy in Kazakhstan: Electronic Travel Authorization (QazETA) (English)
- Russian Embassy in Kazakhstan: electronic entry authorisation (Russian)
This article is for travel planning only and is not official guidance. Dates are as reported and may change. Always check the official qazeta.kz portal or your embassy before you travel.
Photo: Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan. Bgag / Wikimedia Commons, CC0
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