Immigration, Permits, and Residency in Kazakhstan: what actually matters to know
From real experience
how-toWhen replacing a Kazakhstani passport that contains a Russian permanent residency (ВНЖ) stamp, the old passport is typically confiscated.
Upon receiving the new passport, one must visit the migration service to have the Russian ВНЖ status re-stamped or re-registered. This process may require specific documentation proving the prior ВНЖ status.
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tipIf your border crossing certificate from the 'gazeta' (likely referring to a government portal or service) is not accepted during phone verification in Kazakhstan, it indicates that the certificate could not be automatically confirmed.
You may need to re-submit the application, ensuring that the requested period in the border crossing certificate predates your actual border crossing date by a week. Additionally, meticulously check all details in your application for any errors before resubmission. Multiple attempts may be necessary for successful verification.
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riskOverstaying the permitted 90-day period in Kazakhstan without a temporary residence permit (RVP) can result in significant penalties.
Exceeding the limit by more than 10 days can lead to a fine of approximately 110,000 KZT (25 MRP), a court judgment, and a potential multi-year entry ban into Kazakhstan. It is advisable to ensure all necessary documentation, such as RVP, is processed within the legal timeframe to avoid these consequences.
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tipIf your RVP (Temporary Residence Permit) in Kazakhstan is canceled and you have a departure deadline, understand that days spent under RVP do not count towards tourist visa-free days.
You can re-enter Kazakhstan immediately after the RVP expiration date. For example, if your departure is due on the 15th, you can re-enter on the 16th or later.
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how-toIf you encounter an error message 'Guest left the country' when trying to issue a notification for a foreigner in Kazakhstan, verify the guest's actual departure status.
Ensure all previous entries and exits are correctly registered. If the system still shows an error, contact the local migration authorities for assistance in updating the guest's status.
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ruleAs of July 14, 2026, internal Russian passports are no longer accepted for Temporary Residency Permit (RVP) or Permanent Residency applications in Kazakhstan, according to updated interior ministry regulations (Order No.
992). A valid international passport (zagran) is now required.
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ruleChildren under 14 years of age generally do not require a separate Temporary Residence Permit (RVP) to stay in Kazakhstan if they are accompanying a parent who holds a valid residence status (e.g., VNZh or RVP).
Their presence is often linked to the parent's permit.