Kazakhstan entry requirements for Germany passport holders

Verified May 13, 2026·View sources
No visa required
30 days
Max stay
30 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

German passport holders can enter Kazakhstan without a visa for stays up to 30 days. This has been the case since 2017 and remains in effect for 2026. Just make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Valid passport
Must be valid for the duration of your stay
Your passport must be valid for at least the length of your stay in Kazakhstan. Airlines check this at check-in. If your passport expires within 30 days of entry, you may be denied boarding.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of departure from Kazakhstan
Immigration officers at Almaty and Nur-Sultan airports routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed copy or a screenshot ready. Without one, you may be refused entry or forced to buy a ticket at the airport.Recommended
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation
Border officers may ask where you are staying. Have a hotel confirmation or a letter from your host with their address and phone number. A printed copy avoids delays at the counter.Recommended
Proof of funds
Show you can support yourself during your stay
Officers can request proof of sufficient funds. Carry a bank statement or credit card showing at least $500 USD for a 30-day trip. Cash in USD or EUR is also accepted at the border.Recommended
Passport validity is strictly enforced
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you enter Kazakhstan. If it's even one day short, you'll be refused entry. Check your passport now, not at the airport.
Keep your entry stamp safe
The immigration officer will stamp your passport with the date of entry. Check it before leaving the counter. If the stamp is missing or incorrect, ask them to fix it immediately — it's your proof of legal entry.

What happens at the border

1
Arrive at the airport
You'll land at Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ) in Astana or Almaty International Airport (ALA). Follow signs to 'Passport Control'.
2
Queue at immigration
Join the 'Foreign Passports' line. Have your passport and boarding pass ready. The officer will check your passport validity and may ask for your return ticket or accommodation proof.
3
Get your entry stamp
The officer will stamp your passport with the date of entry and the allowed stay (30 days). Check the stamp before walking away — make sure the dates are correct.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After immigration, head to baggage claim, then customs. There's usually nothing to declare for personal items. Walk through the green channel if you have nothing to declare.
Download Kazakhstan Entry Checklist
PDF · Germany Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 13, 2026
Download PDF

Overstay calculator

Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay60 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost~$60 USD (approx. 27,000 KZT)

Requires invitation letter or hotel booking; apply at Kazakh embassy or consulate.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay60 days per entry, extendable 30 days
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost~$100 USD (approx. 45,000 KZT)

Ideal for frequent travelers; same requirements as single entry.

Business visa
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1 year from issue date
Cost~$150 USD (approx. 67,000 KZT)

Requires invitation from a Kazakh company; multiple entries allowed.

Work visa
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year from issue date
Cost~$200 USD (approx. 90,000 KZT)

Requires employer sponsorship and work permit; long-term option.

work visa
Work Visa (Labor Migration)
1 year, renewable annually
~$200 USD (approx. 90,000 KZT) plus employer fees
For those with a job offer from a Kazakh company. Requires employer sponsorship and a work permit. Allows multiple entries and family accompaniment.
student visa
Student Visa
Duration of studies, up to 4 years
~$100 USD (approx. 45,000 KZT) plus university fees
For enrollment in a recognized Kazakh educational institution. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds. Allows part-time work with permission.
investor visa
Investor Visa
1 year, renewable; can lead to permanent residency
~$500 USD (approx. 225,000 KZT) plus investment minimum
For individuals investing at least $300,000 USD in the Kazakh economy. Requires proof of investment and business plan. Fast-track to residency.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Stay extension costVisa-free stay is not extendable.Not applicable
Overstay fine per dayOverstay fines are assessed at the border; maximum cap may apply but is not officially published.~$10 USD per day (approx. 4,500 KZT)
Tourist visa (single entry)For stays longer than 30 days; apply at embassy or online.~$60 USD (approx. 27,000 KZT)
Tourist visa (multiple entry)Valid for multiple entries within a specified period; check embassy for details.~$100 USD (approx. 45,000 KZT)

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Kazakhstan

No transit visa needed

German passport holders transiting through Kazakhstan do not need a transit visa if they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket within 24 hours.

Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
  • If leaving the airport or staying overnight, a visa or visa-free entry (up to 30 days) is required.
Transit hubsNursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ), Nur-Sultan · Almaty International Airport (ALA), Almaty

Health & vaccines for Kazakhstan

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)EssentialMeasles-mumps-rubella (MMR)EssentialRabiesConsiderTick-borne encephalitisConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk

Present in forested areas, especially in spring and summer; use insect repellent and avoid tick habitats.

Food and waterborne diseasesModerate risk

Risk of traveler's diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid; drink bottled water and eat well-cooked food.

Air pollutionModerate risk

Almaty and other cities can have high air pollution, especially in winter; those with respiratory issues should take precautions.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Nur-Sultan (Astana)
Migration Service Committee of Nur-Sultan
12, Mangilik El Avenue, Nur-Sultan
Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00

Main office for visa extensions and registration; bring passport, photos, and application form.

Almaty
Migration Service Department of Almaty
115, Abay Avenue, Almaty
Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00

Busy office; arrive early to avoid long queues.

Practical information for DE travellers

Country basics
CapitalAstana
LanguageKazakh, Russian
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 60 days; an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyKazakhstani tenge (KZT)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 463.9 KZT
updated May 13
Time zone
Local timeUTC+5
vs New York+10h
vs Los Angeles+13h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C (Europlug) and Type F (Schuko) are used.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; boil or use bottled water.
Emergency numbers
Police102
Medical103
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

No. The visa-free stay is not extendable. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a visa before you travel. Overstaying can result in fines and a ban from re-entering.
You will be denied entry. Renew your passport before traveling. The 6-month validity is strictly enforced at the border.
No, not for stays under 30 days. The registration is handled by your hotel or host. If you're staying in a private home, your host should register you within 5 days, but this is their responsibility, not yours.
Yes, the same visa-free rules apply at land borders. Just have your passport and return ticket ready. Border crossings can be slow — expect queues of 1-2 hours.
You'll be fined around 20,000-50,000 KZT (about €40-100) and may be banned from re-entering for up to 5 years. Don't risk it — leave on time.
No, there's no visa on arrival. You either enter visa-free (up to 30 days) or apply for a visa in advance at a Kazakh embassy if you need a longer stay.
No, if you're transiting and staying airside (not passing through immigration), you don't need a visa. But if you plan to leave the airport, you'll need the visa-free entry (up to 30 days) or a visa.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 13, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.