Effective June 30, Russia will implement new regulations for foreign nationals entering the country. These changes apply to citizens of countries with visa-free arrangements with the Russian Federation, including Kazakhstan, according to BöriTimes citing inbusiness.kz.
Kazakh nationals will be required to submit a declaration stating the purpose of their visit no later than 72 hours prior to entry. In emergency situations, such as a serious illness or death of a close relative, the application may be submitted as late as four hours before arrival.
The declaration must be submitted via the specialized "Gosuslugi RuID" mobile application, which is still under development and not yet available on the App Store, Google Play Store, or other app platforms.
To obtain a QR code, travelers must indicate the purpose of their trip, complete all fields with personal information, upload a photo, and specify the intended length of stay in the country.
Human rights advocates recommend saving a screenshot of the QR code due to potential internet connectivity issues at border checkpoints. Experts note that Russia is effectively introducing an electronic visa regime for Central Asian countries.
Exemptions from the QR code requirement include individuals entering with a visa, diplomats, children under the age of six, holders of temporary or permanent residence permits, and citizens of Belarus. All other foreign nationals will be denied entry without prior registration and a QR code—even if the Gosuslugi RuID app is not operational in time.
However, possession of a QR code does not guarantee entry into Russia. Final decisions are made by border control officers. Entry may be denied if biometric data does not match.
Starting in 2025, the permitted duration of temporary stay for Kazakh nationals in Russia will be limited to a total of 90 days within a calendar year. Beginning June 30, biometric data will be collected from Kazakh citizens at all Russian border checkpoints.
The Embassy of Kazakhstan advises travelers to verify their eligibility for entry in advance and to be prepared for additional border procedures.
https://boritimes.kz/news/society/rossiya-fakticheski-vvela-vizovyj-rezhim-dlya-kazahstantsev/