Kazakhstan to Require Electronic Entry Permits for Foreigners
Kazakhstan has introduced a new electronic travel authorization (ETA) system for foreign nationals, starting November 1, 2026, requiring pre-approval via the QazETA platform for entry by air, and gradually expanding to other transport modes. The system is currently in a pilot phase with no penalties for non-compliance, and the introduction of fees remains undecided.
Consensus
- Kazakhstan is introducing a new electronic travel authorization (ETA) requirement for foreign nationals with visa-free access, including Russians.
- The ETA system will be implemented in stages starting November 1, 2026.
- The system is currently in a pilot or test phase before full enforcement.
- The ETA must be obtained no later than 72 hours before entry.
- The ETA is valid for 180 days and allows multiple entries.
- The system will initially apply to international air travelers, then expand to road, rail, and maritime routes.
- The digital platform used is QazETA.
- The introduction of fees for the ETA is still under consideration and not yet confirmed.
- The system is part of amendments to Kazakhstan's migration legislation, which came into force on August 25, 2026.
Points of divergence
- Political analyst Evgeny Mikhailov suggests the measures may have been pre-coordinated with the Kremlin and could lead to retaliatory actions by Russia. — vm
- The cost of the ETA is expected to be around 3,900 tenge (approx. 740 rubles or 8 euros) for standard applications, and 7,800 tenge if applied at the border. — mediazona
- Kazakhstan is no longer considered a safe destination for anti-war Russians due to increased detentions and deportations upon request from Moscow. — novaya_eu
- The new system currently has a recommendatory character, and paid entry has not yet been introduced. — tg_tass_agency
- The system is already in a test phase and is described as 'paid' on the website of the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. — tg_radiosvoboda
Coverage (20 sources)
- New rules for entry into Kazakhstan: what to know? — DW Главное
- For entry into Kazakhstan, Russians will need to obtain an electronic permit — DW Главное
- New rules for Russian entry into Kazakhstan from November 1, 2026: what is ETA and why tourists need to know — Вечерняя Москва
- Kazakhstan introduces mandatory electronic entry permits for all foreigners; plans to make them paid in the future — Медиазона
- Kazakhstan introduces paid electronic permits for Russian entry starting November 1 — Новая газета Европа
- New entry system into Kazakhstan currently has a recommendatory nature, paid entry is also not yet introduced, reports ATO... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- For entry into Kazakhstan, Russians will need an electronic permit — Дождь
- For entry into Kazakhstan, Russians will need an electronic permit — Дождь (Telegram)
- Kazakhstan launched a system of paid electronic entry permits for foreigners in test mode — Радио Свобода
- Kazakhstan introduced entry fees for Russians amid rumors of impending mobilization — The Moscow Times
- The price of an electronic entry permit to Kazakhstan will be uniform — Вести
- For entry into Kazakhstan, Russians will need an electronic permit — Коммерсантъ
- Russians will need to obtain an electronic permit for entry into Kazakhstan — Ведомости
- Russians will need to obtain a paid electronic visa to enter Kazakhstan — Новости Москвы
- Russians will be required to obtain an electronic entry permit for Kazakhstan — Вечерняя Москва
- Russians will need to obtain an electronic visa to enter Kazakhstan. — РИА Новости (Telegram)
- Kazakhstan launched a system of paid electronic entry permits for foreigners in test mode — Настоящее Время
- Kazakhstan will introduce mandatory paid electronic entry permits for foreigners starting November 1. This will also affect Russians — Meduza
- Kazakhstan introduces paid electronic entry permits — ЭХО / Новости
- Kazakhstan introduces paid electronic entry permits for visa-exempt foreigners, details on new rules... — Varlamov News
Key entities
- Kazakhstan
- MID
- RIA Novosti
- Serbia
- ETA
- Russia
- Russia
- Moscow
- MVD
- ATOR
- Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev
- RIA Novosti
- ATO
- Citizens of Countries
- Qazeta