The QazETA system entered pilot mode on August 25, 2026, and will become mandatory in stages from November through December, starting with air travel
![Kazakhstan phases in QazETA for all visa-free visitors]()
Kazakhstan will begin requiring all visa-free visitors to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) through the QazETA digital platform, with mandatory enforcement starting November 1, 2026, for air passengers. The legal framework for the system, established by Kazakhstan's Law No. 326-VIII of June 24, 2026, and signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, entered into force on August 25, 2026, according to the Russian news agency Gazeta.Ru.
The requirement will apply to citizens of Russia and all other countries that currently enjoy visa-free entry to Kazakhstan. This includes fellow members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which comprises Russia, Belarus, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan, as well as nationals of other countries with bilateral visa-free agreements with Kazakhstan.
Before this change, nationals of visa-free countries could enter Kazakhstan by presenting only a valid passport. Under the new system, all such travelers will need both a valid passport and an approved QazETA electronic travel authorization.
When does the QazETA requirement become mandatory?
Kazakhstan is phasing in the mandatory ETA over approximately six weeks, organized by mode of transport and border type. The most detailed rollout schedule currently available was published by the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which maintains a visa-free arrangement with Kazakhstan, and has been corroborated by multiple independent sources.
| Date |
Requirement |
| August 25 to October 31, 2026 |
Pilot phase. ETA is voluntary. Travelers without one will not be refused entry but will be warned that it will be required on future visits. |
| November 1, 2026 |
ETA becomes mandatory for all air passengers. Airlines are expected to deny boarding to affected travelers without a valid ETA. |
| November 15, 2026 |
ETA becomes mandatory for travelers entering Kazakhstan by car through borders with non-EAEU countries (China, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan). |
| November 30, 2026 |
ETA becomes mandatory for travelers entering Kazakhstan by car through EAEU borders (Russia and Kyrgyzstan). |
| December 15, 2026 |
ETA becomes mandatory for travelers arriving by train or through seaports. |
Kazakhstan's national news agency Qazinform confirmed on September 1, 2026, that the QazETA platform is still operating in pilot mode and that obtaining an ETA remains voluntary during this phase.
What is QazETA and how do travelers apply?
QazETA is Kazakhstan's digital platform for managing entry-related services for foreign nationals. The QazETA mobile app, launched on July 15, 2025, is available on the App Store and Google Play and serves as the primary application channel for the ETA.
The app also handles eVisa applications and Kazakhstan's e-Residency program, functioning as a single digital gateway for foreign visitors and international users. Travelers must submit their ETA application through the QazETA app at least 72 hours before departure.
The ETA is valid for 180 calendar days from the date of issuance and allows multiple entries to Kazakhstan during that period. However, the actual permitted length of each stay remains subject to Kazakhstan's existing migration rules. An approved ETA does not automatically guarantee admission. Border officials retain the authority to deny entry based on standard immigration checks.
How much will QazETA cost?
The fee for the QazETA ETA has not yet been officially confirmed by Kazakhstan's government. The underlying legislation, Law No. 326-VIII, provides that the fee and payment procedures will be determined by a separate government resolution, which has not yet been published in Kazakhstan's official gazette.
The most widely cited figures come from the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which published a fee of 3,900 tenge (approximately USD 8) for applications submitted online through the QazETA app and 7,800 tenge (approximately USD 16) for applications processed at the border. These figures have been reported by multiple outlets but should be treated as indicative until Kazakhstan formally publishes its fee schedule.
The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also indicated that the fee will be the same for citizens of all eligible countries. Under the legal framework, part of the revenue collected from ETA fees will fund the operation and modernization of Kazakhstan's digital migration systems, while the remainder will support tourism development.
Which travelers are affected by the QazETA requirement?
The ETA is intended for all foreign nationals and stateless persons who currently enter Kazakhstan under visa-free arrangements. Kazakhstan's government has not yet published the definitive list of nationalities that will be required to obtain an ETA.
In practice, the requirement will cover a wide range of nationalities. Kazakhstan currently maintains visa-free entry agreements with nationals of more than 70 countries, including all EAEU member states (Russia, Belarus, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan), most EU member states, the United Kingdom, Turkey, South Korea, Japan, and numerous others.
The ETA does not replace Kazakhstan's visa exemptions. It functions as an additional pre-travel authorization that sits alongside the existing visa-free framework. Travelers who currently require a visa to enter Kazakhstan are not affected, as they will continue to use the standard visa or eVisa process through the same QazETA platform.
