Check current flight, airport, entry, border and travel warning information that could affect a trip to Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan Status
WATCH
Travel to Kazakhstan is operating normally overall, including international flights and major airports. However, road-border crossings between Kazakhstan and China are temporarily closed on 25 September, while rail crossings continue operating normally.
Current Travel Conditions
What Travellers Should Know
China road border temporarily closed
Kazakhstan’s road-border checkpoints with China are not processing travellers, vehicles or cargo on 25 September because of the Mid-Autumn Festival in China.
China rail crossings remain open
The temporary closure does not apply to railway border crossings between Kazakhstan and China. Rail crossings continue operating normally.
Flights
Commercial aviation is operating normally overall. Kazakhstan has extensive domestic services and international connections from Almaty, Astana and other airports.
Almaty Airport
Almaty International Airport is operating and remains one of Kazakhstan’s principal international gateways.
Astana Airport
Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport in Astana is also operating international and domestic services.
Visa requirements
Entry requirements depend on nationality. Kazakhstan permits visa-free entry for citizens of numerous countries, while other travellers must obtain the appropriate visa before travelling.
Arrival registration
Hotels or other accommodation providers must normally notify the Kazakh authorities of a foreign visitor’s arrival within three working days.
Russia border
Kazakhstan has an extensive land border with Russia. Travellers considering an overland journey into Russia should separately check Russia’s current entry requirements and travel warnings.
China border
Kazakhstan has several important road and rail crossings with China. Border operations can change during public holidays, so travellers planning an overland journey should confirm their specific crossing before departure.
Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
Overland travel between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan or Uzbekistan is common. Reconstruction and heavy traffic can occasionally cause significant delays at individual crossings.
Local SIM cards
Travellers planning to use a Kazakh SIM card should be aware of the country’s IMEI registration requirements. Devices using local SIM cards may need to be verified through Kazakhstan’s registration system.
Remote travel
Kazakhstan is extremely large and some roads cross sparsely populated areas with limited fuel, mobile coverage and emergency services. Travellers driving long distances should prepare accordingly.
Latest Travel Changes
China road crossings closed today
Kazakhstan’s State Revenue Committee announced that road-border checkpoints with China will not process people, vehicles or cargo on 25 September because of the Mid-Autumn Festival in China.
Rail crossings continue operating
Railway border checkpoints between Kazakhstan and China are not affected by today’s road-border closure and continue operating normally.
International aviation continues normally
No significant nationwide flight or airport disruption has been identified. Kazakhstan’s commercial aviation network continues to operate.
U.S. advisory remains Level 1
The current U.S. State Department advisory is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions.
QazETA changes under development
Kazakhstan is developing an electronic travel authorization system for visa-exempt travellers. The system is not yet a mandatory general entry requirement, so travellers should check the latest official requirements before departure.
Before You Travel
Check your airline, passport and Kazakhstan visa requirements before departure.
If travelling between Kazakhstan and China by road on 25 September, change your plans because road-border processing is temporarily suspended.
Rail crossings between Kazakhstan and China continue operating, but confirm your train and border arrangements before travelling.
If entering or leaving Kazakhstan overland, check the specific border crossing shortly before departure because individual checkpoints can close or restrict operations at short notice.
If using a local Kazakh SIM card for an extended stay, check the current IMEI registration requirements.
Travel Status is designed to highlight significant changes that could affect a trip. It is not a replacement for official immigration, airline or government advice.