A joint order by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan has introduced significant amendments to the Rules governing the issuance of invitations, visa coordination for foreign nationals and stateless persons, and the procedures for the annulment, restoration, extension, or shortening of visa validity.

General Provisions and Digitalization

Starting March 10, 2026, the updated Rules establish a unified procedure for processing invitations and provide legal frameworks for two key public services:

• The acceptance and coordination of invitations from inviting parties for visa issuance.

• The issuance, restoration, or extension of exit-entry visas within the territory of Kazakhstan.

The amendments further specify that:

• Visa Stickers: Must be completed strictly according to Annex 2 of the Rules. No corrections are allowed; visas with alterations are deemed invalid.

• Electronic Visas: All e-visas must be processed via the official Visa and Migration Portal (VMP).

• Digital Monitoring: Government agencies and foreign missions must log all stages of service provision into the digital monitoring system.

• Document Simplification: Authorities are prohibited from requesting documents that are available through integrated state databases or requiring notarized copies when original documents are presented for verification.

Coordination and Processing Timelines

The invitation process involves multi-agency coordination, primarily with the National Security Committee (NSC) of the Republic of Kazakhstan:

1. Verification: Local police bodies verify the purpose of the trip, the requested duration, and the grounds for entry.

2. NSC Coordination: Documents are sent to the NSC via the "Berkut" Unified Information System.

3. Timeline: The NSC typically completes coordination within 3 working days. If a more thorough investigation is required, this period can be extended up to 30 calendar days.

4. Final Decision: Within one working day of receiving the NSC’s response, the authorised officer issues the invitation or provides a formal refusal.

Key Category-Specific Changes

The updated Rules introduce specific requirements for various groups of travellers:

• Educational Internships: Applicants must provide a petition from a central executive body or a relevant Innovation Cluster.

• Biometric Data: Foreign nationals and stateless persons aged 16 and older must undergo fingerprint registration (dactyloscopy) to obtain a visa, except for certain electronic visa categories.

• Work Visas (Category C3): Primary visas are issued at the location of the inviting party’s registration. If the employment site changes to a different region, subsequent visa actions (extension/annulment) are handled by authorities at the place of temporary residence.

• Residency Seekers (Categories B8 and B9): Citizens from countries with visa-free agreements may be issued a primary visa for up to 90 days to allow for the processing of permanent residency permits. This is granted only once every 12 months.

Special Provisions and Implementation

The Order also maintains specific temporary and regional provisions:

• Pakistan: Until December 31, 2026, citizens of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan are eligible for single-entry electronic business visas (Category B3).

• AIFC and Innovation Clusters: Participants and employees of the Astana International Financial Centre and designated Innovation Clusters benefit from simplified procedures regarding the place of visa issuance and changes in visa status for family members.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is required to update the Unified Contact Center on all changes within three working days of their enforcement. This Order officially enters into effect on February 22, 2026, with the exception of certain digital monitoring norms scheduled for March.