Kazakhstan Visa for Indians: Visa-Free Rules, e-Visa, Fees & How to Apply in 2026

Indian passport holders do not need a visa for short trips to Kazakhstan and can stay visa-free for up to 14 days per entry, with longer trips covered by a fully online e-Visa.

Here is exactly which option fits your trip, what it costs, and how to apply step by step.

Do Indians Need a Visa for Kazakhstan in 2026?

For short tourism or business trips, no. Under Decree 464 of the Government of Kazakhstan dated 7 July 2022, Indian citizens enjoy visa-free entry into Kazakhstan.

You can stay up to 14 continuous days per visit, with a maximum of 42 days within any 180-day period.

Who Qualifies for Visa-Free Entry

• Indian passport holders travelling for tourism, short business meetings, or to visit friends and family
• Travellers with a confirmed return or onward ticket within 14 days
• Travellers carrying proof of accommodation for their stay

When You Still Need a Visa

You will need to apply for a Kazakhstan visa or e-Visa if your trip falls into any of these:

• Stay longer than 14 days at one stretch
• Work, study, medical treatment, or long-term business
• Cumulative stay above 42 days in a 180-day window

Types of Kazakhstan Visa

If your trip does not fit visa-free rules, Kazakhstan offers several visa categories. Most Indian travellers use the e-Visa, but sticker visas from the embassy are also available.

• Tourist Visa (B12): Issued for tourism, sightseeing, and visiting friends and relatives. Single-entry visa is valid for up to 90 days, with a stay of no more than 30 days.
• Business Visa (B1, B2, B3): For meetings, negotiations, conferences, and short-term assignments. Single-entry business visas are issued for up to 90 days, with multiple-entry options available for up to 1 year (B1, B3) or 180 days (B2).
• Medical Treatment Visa (C12): For Indians travelling to Kazakhstan for treatment, consultations, or medical check-ups at a Kazakh clinic or hospital. Issued for up to 180 days for single or multiple entry.
• Work Visa (C3): Required for paid employment in Kazakhstan. You need a job offer or signed contract from a Kazakh employer before applying.
• Student Visa (C9): For Indians enrolled at a Kazakh university or institute, including the many Indian students pursuing MBBS in Kazakhstan.
• Transit Visa (B13): For passengers transiting Kazakhstan en route to a third country. Issued for short transit stays, typically up to 5 days per entry.

Required Documents

Document requirements depend on whether you are applying for visa-free entry, an e-Visa, or a sticker visa. The base set is similar across categories.

For Visa-Free Entry (At the Airport)

• Indian passport with at least 6 months validity from your date of entry and two blank pages
• Confirmed return or onward flight ticket within 14 days
• Proof of accommodation (hotel booking, host invitation, or rental confirmation)
• Sufficient funds to cover your stay (cash, card, or bank statement may be requested)
• Travel insurance is recommended, though not always mandatory

For e-Visa or Sticker Visa

In addition to the basic passport documents, you will need:

• Completed visa application form
• Two recent passport-size photos (35×45 mm, white background)
• Photocopies of the first three and last three pages of your passport, plus pages with previous visas
• Confirmed flight tickets and hotel bookings
• Bank statements covering the last three to six months
• Travel insurance valid for the duration of stay
• Invitation letter from a Kazakh travel company, business, or host (required for tourist, business, and most other categories)
• Cover letter explaining the purpose of travel

For business, work, student, or medical visas, expect additional documents like an employment contract, university admission letter, or hospital invitation.

How to Apply

You have two ways to apply for a Kazakhstan visa: online via the official e-Visa portal, or in person at the Kazakhstan embassy or consulate in India. Pick the route that matches your visa type and entry point.

For an e-Visa Online

The Kazakhstan e-Visa is processed entirely online through the official Visa and Migration Portal (vmp.gov.kz). Here is how it works.

• Get an Invitation Number: For most e-Visa categories, including tourist, your host in Kazakhstan (a registered travel agency, business, or institution) must first apply to the Migration Service for an invitation. They will share an invitation number with you.
• Register on the Portal: Create an account on vmp.gov.kz. The portal is available in multiple languages, including English.
• Fill Out the e-Visa Application: Enter your invitation number, passport details, travel dates, and personal information exactly as they appear in your passport. Upload a scanned passport copy and a digital photo.
• Pay the Consular Fee: Pay the visa fee online using a debit or credit card. Keep the receipt as proof of payment.
• Receive and Print Your e-Visa: Once approved, your e-Visa arrives by email as a PDF. Print a copy and carry it with you. You will need to show it at immigration.

For Sticker Visa at the Embassy

A sticker visa is the right route if you plan to enter Kazakhstan by land, arrive at an airport other than Almaty or Astana, or apply for a visa type not supported by the e-Visa system. Apply through the Embassy of Kazakhstan in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Mumbai.

• Book an Appointment: Contact the embassy or consulate in advance to book a slot. The New Delhi embassy operates Monday to Friday and is closed on weekends and public holidays, so plan your visit accordingly.
• Secure an Invitation Letter: For tourist, business, work, student, and medical categories, your Kazakh host must first register an invitation with the Migration Service. Carry a copy with your application.
• Submit Your Application In Person: Visit the embassy or consulate with your completed application form, passport, photos, supporting documents, and invitation letter. Pay the consular fee at the counter.
• Collect Your Passport: Sticker visas are typically issued within 5 to 10 working days. Pick up your passport with the visa stamped inside on the date the embassy provides.

Fees and Processing Time

Fees vary by visa type, entry count, and processing speed. Standard processing for the e-Visa is around 5 working days, though the Migration Service may extend this up to 30 calendar days in some cases.

Fees are set in Kazakh tenge and converted at the prevailing rate. Service charges from VFS, agencies, or invitation providers are extra. Confirm the exact amount on vmp.gov.kz before paying.

Where to Apply

• e-Visa: Apply online via the Visa and Migration Portal
• Sticker visa: Apply at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in New Delhi (open Monday to Friday) or the Consulate General in Mumbai

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Most rejections and airport problems come from small, avoidable errors. Watch out for these.

• Skipping the Invitation Letter: Many applicants assume the e-Visa works like a Schengen tourist visa. It does not. For most categories, you need a registered invitation from a Kazakh host before you can even start the application.
• Trying to Use an e-Visa at the Wrong Entry Point: The e-Visa is only valid at Almaty (ALA) and Astana (NQZ) international airports. Arriving overland or at a smaller regional airport with only an e-Visa will get you turned back.
• Overstaying the Visa-Free Window: Indian travellers can stay up to 14 days per entry, but the 42-day cumulative cap within 180 days trips up frequent visitors. Track your previous stays carefully or apply for a proper visa.
• Insufficient Passport Validity: Carry a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date with two blank pages. Damaged passports or those running close to expiry are routinely refused.
• Missing Return Ticket or Hotel Proof: Even visa-free travellers need a confirmed return ticket and accommodation proof. Immigration officers at Almaty and Astana can refuse entry without these.
• Working on a Visa-Free or Tourist Visa: Visa-free and tourist categories do not allow paid work or freelance assignments. Doing so risks deportation and a re-entry ban.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

1. Embassy of India, Astana – Visa-Free Travel for Indian Citizens
2. Visa and Migration Portal of the Republic of Kazakhstan
3. Electronic Government of Kazakhstan – Obtaining a Kazakhstan Visa
4. Electronic Government of Kazakhstan – Issuance and Extension of Visas
5. Government of Kazakhstan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs Announcement

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.