QazETA: Kazakhstan's electronic travel authorization — timeline and list of 85 countries
Kazakhstan is introducing QazETA, an electronic travel authorization for foreigners who enter without a visa. Citizens of 85 states, as well as residents of Hong Kong and Macao, will need it. The legal basis is Government Resolution No. 890 of 10 October 2026. The first stage starts as early as 1 November 2026.
Rollout timeline
| Date | Where QazETA checks begin |
|---|---|
| 1 November 2026 | Aktau airport and selected road checkpoints |
| 1 January 2027 | Astana and Almaty airports |
| 1 March 2027 | all other border checkpoints |
| 1 July 2027 | QazETA becomes mandatory: entry may be refused without it |
Until 1 July 2027, not having QazETA is not in itself grounds for refusing entry: travellers will be told about the new requirement.
Key facts about QazETA
- How to apply: through the QazETA mobile app, at least 72 hours before entry.
- Cost and validity: free of charge, valid for 180 days.
- What does not change: QazETA does not replace a visa and does not extend the visa-free stay.
- At the border: present the same passport the authorization was issued for.
- Who does not need it: children under 16, people aged 65 and over, holders of valid Kazakh visas, temporary or permanent residence permits, transit passengers who stay in the transit zone, and several other categories.
Who it applies to: 85 countries
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said QazETA will apply to citizens of 85 visa-free countries. A separate list of QazETA countries has not been officially published. Below are the states whose citizens, according to the Ministry's table, may enter visa-free on an ordinary passport (as of 21 August 2026). Check the QazETA app for the current list of nationalities that can already apply.
Europe: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican City.
Asia and the Middle East: Bahrain, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam.
CIS and neighbouring states: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.
The Americas and the Caribbean: Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, United States.
Africa and Oceania: Australia, Morocco, New Zealand, Seychelles.
Hong Kong and Macao, special administrative regions of China, have a separate visa-free regime.
What employers should do now
- Check the nationality of the workers you plan to bring in. If they enter without a visa, they will need QazETA.
- Apply for QazETA in advance. At least 72 hours before travel, and preferably with time to spare.
- Workers with a visa or residence permit do not need QazETA. For example, those entering on a C3 work visa.
- Watch the dates. From 1 January 2027, checks begin at Astana and Almaty airports, where most workers arrive.
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Commentary by a Workmigration team expert
There is still very little information about QazETA, and no official list of the 85 countries exists anywhere: you have to compile it yourself from the Ministry's table of visa-free states. Meanwhile, the first stage begins on 1 November.
I believe information about QazETA should be displayed in migration service buildings — where foreigners come for fingerprinting and employers come for invitations and visas. The main emphasis should be on the dates when the requirements take effect.
Airports and border checkpoints should be displaying this information now, on screens and in several languages. Otherwise foreigners will only learn about the new requirement at the border.