Kazakhstan now offers eVisas to citizens of 105 countries to boost tourism

New visa types, tourist police units, and a dedicated mobile app are among the reforms announced at a June 9 government meeting

Citizens of 105 countries can now enter Kazakhstan using eVisas, removing the need to visit an embassy in person. The announcement was made by Minister of Internal Affairs Yerzhan Sadenov at a government meeting on June 9, 2026, chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, as reported by the Astana Times.

Alongside the eVisa expansion, Kazakhstan has introduced two new visa categories: the Digital Nomad Visa, designed for IT specialists, and the Neo Nomad Visa, aimed at tourists. Host parties can now also submit arrival notifications online, streamlining the process further.

At border entry points, authorities have begun distributing QR-coded tourist cards containing travel regulations and emergency contacts. A new mobile application called QazETA is also in development to expand access to migration services. Additionally, tourist police units now operate across all 18 regions, providing security at attractions and national parks, with officers trained in foreign languages.

Tourism's growing economic impact

The sector has become a significant contributor to Kazakhstan's economy. According to the Astana Times, tourism now accounts for 5 trillion tenge ($10.3 billion) in economic output and supports more than 600,000 jobs.

Foreign tourist spending reached $2.9 billion, while investment in the tourism sector grew by 33% to 1.3 trillion tenge ($2.7 billion). Tax revenues from tourism climbed 18% to 630 billion tenge ($1.3 billion) in 2025.

Legislative changes adopted in March introduced a green corridor system for tourist buses, cutting border-crossing wait times for organized groups. The reforms also set new requirements for visitor centers and tourism service providers.

Record-breaking national park visits

Visits to Kazakhstan's specially protected natural areas jumped from 2.8 million in 2024 to 3.7 million in 2025, according to Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nyssanbayev. National parks currently offer 179 tourist routes and 42 ecological trails.

To promote domestic tourism, children under 18 now receive free admission to national parks.

The Clean Tourism program, part of the broader Taza Kazakhstan initiative, has expanded beyond its pilot locations at Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Lakes national parks to several other protected areas. The program includes dedicated waste-collection infrastructure, information boards, reverse-vending machines, and biodegradable bags for visitors. Implementation is continuing in five additional national parks this year.

Digital tracking for mountain safety

Kazakhstan plans to roll out a digital monitoring system for tourist safety in mountainous areas, according to Minister of Emergency Situations Chingiz Arinov. Over the past five years, rescuers have carried out more than 1,000 mountain search-and-rescue operations, saving approximately 1,500 people. The new system will automate route monitoring and send notifications to rescue services to improve emergency response times.

Medical tourism on the rise

Medical tourism has emerged as one of Kazakhstan's fastest-growing segments, driven by high-quality services at competitive prices. The country welcomed approximately 80,000 foreign patients last year, according to Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabosynov.

Ten medical institutions in Kazakhstan hold international JCI accreditation, and a roadmap for medical tourism development covering 2026 to 2028 is being prepared in partnership with the Healthcare Ministry.

Baikonur complex access improved

The Baikonur complex continues to be a major draw for visitors. Under Kazakhstan's Tourism Development Concept through 2030, the permit processing period for foreign visitors has been cut to 10 days, making it easier to access both launch viewing and inter-launch tourism programs.