After the start of the full-scale invasion of Russia, millions of Ukrainians were faced with a choice: to stay at home despite the threat or to seek a safer place outside Ukraine. And if the majority chose the countries of the European Union, then part of the citizens of Ukraine turned their eyes to less popular, but potentially stable and open to foreigners states, in particular Kazakhstan.
This Central Asian country attracts foreigners not only with an economy that demonstrates dynamic development, but also with multiculturalism, openness to dialogue and a moderate visa policy. Kazakhstan officially accepts refugees, including citizens of Ukraine who left the country because of the war. Official information on immigration procedures is published on the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MIA of the Republic of Kazakhstan) and the electronic government portal eGov.kz in the sections dedicated to migration services. Important information is also provided by the embassies and consulates of Kazakhstan in Ukraine.
Currently, there are no official statistics on the number of Ukrainian refugees who arrived in Kazakhstan in 2024 — such data usually appear with a time delay. At the same time, over the past years, we can conclude that Kazakhstan has been steadily accepting a significant number of migrants from various countries, and for Ukrainians, the country remains quite an accessible and realistic option.
What you need to know about visas to Kazakhstan
Ukrainian citizens planning to travel to Kazakhstan can count on visa-free entry — at least for a short-term stay. If you do not plan to stay in the country for more than three months, you will not need a visa: Ukrainians are allowed to stay in the territory of Kazakhstan for up to 90 days during each 180-day period without obtaining any visa document. Such a regime creates a comfortable window for adaptation, study of local conditions and preparation of documents in case of intention to stay longer.
However, if your goal is to get a job, study, stay for a long time or visit relatives, you cannot do without the appropriate visa. Kazakhstan provides several visa categories, each of which corresponds to a certain type of activity or the purpose of the trip. Ukrainians who want to stay in the country legally after the end of the visa-free period should carefully consider these options.
If you came for a short trip – to relax, see the city, stay in a hotel for several weeks – it is most convenient to issue a B12 tourist visa. In this case, you will need to provide proof that you are a real tourist: this can be a voucher issued by a tour operator or a hotel reservation. This visa allows you to stay in the country for a limited period of time without requiring either work or study.
A business visa (category B3) is provided for those who come to Kazakhstan for a professional purpose — to take part in negotiations, conferences, exhibitions or hold a business meeting. The main requirement is to have an official invitation from a company registered in Kazakhstan.
If your trip is due to family or personal ties – that is, you are going to visit relatives or friends who live in Kazakhstan – you should apply for a private visa (category B10). For this, you need to have an official personal invitation from the person you are going to visit. The invitation must be drawn up in accordance with all requirements of Kazakhstani legislation.
If you plan to work – whether physically or intellectually – you must have a work visa (category M1). But it is not only a matter of obtaining a visa: before submitting the documents, the employer must obtain permission to attract a foreign worker, which involves a quota and submission of a separate package of documents to the migration service authorities. Only after that, having a work permit, a Ukrainian can apply for a work visa. It is usually issued for the duration of the employment contract, but not longer than one year. After the expiration date, it can be extended.
Another common option is a student visa (category C9), which gives the opportunity to study at Kazakh universities or colleges. The basis for its registration is an invitation from the educational institution. Additional documents such as proof of enrollment, financial guarantees, and medical certificates may be required at the time of application, depending on the requirements of the specific consulate or university.
In addition to these five main categories, there are also other specialized visas — for transit travel, treatment, participation in cultural events, and receiving humanitarian aid. But for the majority of Ukrainians who leave the country because of the war, working, student and private types remain the most relevant.
What is required to apply for a visa
In order to successfully submit documents for a visa, the applicant must prepare a standard set:
– a correctly filled out questionnaire;
– a valid foreign passport (must have a validity period of at least three months longer than the validity period of the visa);
– a color photo card;
– documents confirming the purpose of the trip — it can be an invitation, a voucher, a certificate from a university;
– confirmation of financial capacity — bank statements, income certificates, etc.;
– round-trip tickets — if their availability is required;
– a receipt for the payment of the consular fee.
Before submitting, it is important to ensure that all documents meet the requirements of the specific visa category you are applying for. It is also advisable to consult the embassy or consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan in advance, as individual requirements may change depending on the season or the situation in the country. The exact list depends on the visa category and the applicant’s situation, so it is worth clarifying the current requirements at the consulate of Kazakhstan in Ukraine or at eGov.kz.
What is the procedure for leaving Kazakhstan?
The first step is to determine the purpose of the trip and the appropriate type of visa. For this purpose, it is advisable to contact a specialized lawyer or visa consultant who will help you create the correct package of documents. The second stage is submission of the questionnaire and documents to the embassy. It is important to note that sometimes originals and copies must be submitted separately.
In some cases, the applicant may be directed to provide biometric data (fingerprints). This is usually informed during the submission of documents. After the decision is made, the visa is pasted into the passport. Before departure, you must check all details: full name, terms, visa category.
Obtaining a residence permit
A residence permit (temporary or permanent) in Kazakhstan is issued at the migration service. It allows Ukrainians to stay in the country for more than 90 days, have access to the labor market, rent or buy housing, and sign long-term contracts. The basis for applying for a permit is the presence of one of the following statuses: work under an official contract, studying at an educational institution, marriage to a citizen of Kazakhstan, family ties or other grounds provided by law.
The package of documents includes:
- statement of the established sample;
- copy and original of passport;
- documents confirming the reason (employment contract, certificate from an educational institution, marriage certificate, documents on family ties);
- certificate of criminal record;
- a medical certificate on the absence of dangerous diseases;
- a document on the availability of housing (lease agreement, certificate of ownership);
- passport-style photo cards;
- confirmation of payment of state duty.
The application review process can last from several weeks to a month depending on the region and the workload of the migration service. After approval, the certificate is pasted into the passport or a separate document is issued.
Grounds for refusing a residence permit
After receiving a visa, Ukrainians can apply for a residence permit. But it is important to understand: this process is not automatic, and the state reserves the right to refuse to issue the document. There are several reasons for this.
First, you may be refused if an incomplete package of documents is submitted or inaccurate information is provided. Any inaccuracy or deliberate concealment of facts (such as a criminal record or the presence of diseases) is a risk of automatic rejection.
Secondly, the refusal may be caused by violation of the laws of Kazakhstan during the previous stay. If a person has already been in the country in the past and violated the regime of stay, was deported or brought to justice, this is a serious argument in favor of refusal.
Thirdly, a conviction for a serious or particularly serious crime is another formal reason that blocks the possibility of legalization.
Fourthly, if the applicant has dangerous infectious diseases, the list of which is approved by the legislation of Kazakhstan, the authorities of the migration service also have the right to refuse.
Fifth, if there is a suspicion that a person’s stay threatens the national security of Kazakhstan – regardless of citizenship, age or profession – his application will be rejected.
Sixth, if at the time of submitting the documents, a person does not have a valid legal reason for staying in the country (for example, overstayed visa exemption, violated the validity of the visa, etc.), this is also a reason for refusal.
In addition, there are other reasons provided for by national legislation. The full list is published in official documents of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and on the eGov.kz portal.
In case of refusal, the applicant has the right to file an appeal and challenge the decision in accordance with the procedure established by law.
The most reliable sources of information are the official portals of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan (https://mvd.gov.kz) and electronic government (https://egov.kz). It is also worth following updates on the pages of the consulates of Kazakhstan, in particular in Kyiv. Ukrainians in Almaty and Astana create support communities — this is an additional source of help with adaptation.
Kazakhstan does not promise Ukrainians full social protection or financial aid, but it offers what is often missing in a crisis — clear rules, openness to cooperation, and the opportunity to start anew.
