Kazakhstan is adding a free online entry permit called QazETA for visitors from visa-free countries, and India is on that list. It is voluntary from 1 November 2026 and becomes compulsory on 1 July 2027. You still do not need a visa for a short trip, but from July 2027 you will need an approved QazETA before you fly. If you are travelling before that date, you can still be let in without it, though applying early is the safer choice. All details here are as of 1 November 2026.
What has changed
Kazakhstan has long allowed Indian passport holders to enter without a visa for short stays. That has not changed. What is new is an electronic travel authorisation, QazETA, that visa-free travellers must obtain online before arrival. According to The Astana Times, the rules rest on a government resolution of 10 October, and Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry has informed all 85 eligible countries through diplomatic channels.
QazETA is not a visa. It does not extend how long you can stay, and an approval does not guarantee entry, because border officers can still refuse admission on other legal grounds, such as false information or an earlier deportation.
Rollout timeline
The system is being switched on in stages, and the check only becomes a hard requirement at the end.
| Date | Where it starts | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 1 November 2026 | Aktau International Airport and selected road crossings | Voluntary; no one is refused only for lacking it |
| 1 January 2027 | Astana and Almaty international airports | Still voluntary |
| 1 March 2027 | All remaining border crossings | Still voluntary |
| 1 July 2027 | Every entry point | Mandatory; arriving without it can mean refused entry |
Sources differ slightly on the road crossings that go live first. The Astana Times names four (Urlyutobe, Aukhatty, Atameken and Nurly Zhol), while Wego lists three and leaves out Aukhatty. Since most Indian tourists fly into Almaty or Astana, this detail matters little, but check the official portal if you plan to cross by road.
Key facts for Indian travellers
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa for short stays | Not needed; visa-free entry continues |
| Stay limit for Indians | 14 days per visit, 42 days in any 180-day period |
| QazETA fee | Free |
| Where to apply | qazeta.kz or the QazETA mobile app |
| Apply at least | 72 hours before arrival |
| Validity | 180 days, multiple entries |
| Passport link | Tied to the passport used to apply; carry the same one |
Note the stay limit. Most visa-free nationalities can stay 30 days per visit, but India and Iran are on a shorter 14-day, 42-in-180 rule, according to The Astana Times. The 180-day validity of QazETA is how long the approval lasts, not how long you may stay.
Who is exempt
The official list has 29 exempt categories. The ones most relevant to ordinary travellers are children under 16, adults aged 65 and over, holders of a valid Kazakh visa or residence permit, and passengers who stay in the airport transit area. Official delegations, diplomats and certain transport crews are also exempt. Exemption lists vary a little between reports, so confirm your own case on the portal rather than assuming.
If you need a Kazakh visa for another reason, you apply for that instead and do not use QazETA.
What to do now
If you are travelling before July 2027
- You will not be turned away just for not having QazETA, because officers only inform travellers during the transition period.
- Still, apply if the portal accepts your passport. It is free, and one approval covers several trips for 180 days.
- Keep the approval email on your phone and a printout in your hand baggage.
If you are travelling on or after 1 July 2027
- Treat QazETA as a required document, like a visa. Without it, an airline may refuse to board you and officers can refuse entry.
- Apply at least 72 hours before you arrive. Wego reports that processing averages about 10 minutes, but the 72-hour rule applies regardless, so do not leave it to the last day.
- Apply only on the official site or app. The Travel And Tour World report advises against third-party services, and since the permit is free there is no reason to pay an agent.
Documents to keep ready
- A passport valid for at least six months (per Wego).
- An email address where the result will be sent.
- Your purpose of travel, plus a phone or device for the online identity check.
If you rent a flat or stay with friends, note that anyone hosting a foreign visitor must notify the authorities within three business days of arrival, according to The Astana Times. Hotels normally handle this themselves; private hosts should be told.
Why this matters beyond Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan joins a growing group of destinations that keep visa-free entry but add a pre-travel online step. For Indian travellers this is a pattern worth knowing: “visa-free” no longer always means “no paperwork”. Our guide on visa-free travel costs, rules and restrictions explains the usual catches, and the recent change to Thailand’s 30-day visa-free stay shows how quickly conditions can shift. Border officers also often ask for proof of onward travel, which we cover in why countries ask for a return ticket.
A practical habit: a few weeks before any international trip, check the destination government’s own entry page rather than relying on an agent’s summary or an old blog. If you are still comparing fares for Almaty or Astana, our cheap air tickets page is a place to start.
FAQ
Do Indians need a visa for Kazakhstan now?
No, not for short stays. Visa-free entry continues for up to 14 days per visit and 42 days in any 180-day period. The new QazETA is an online authorisation, not a visa, and it becomes mandatory only on 1 July 2027.
How much does QazETA cost and how long is it valid?
It is free. Once approved it is valid for 180 days with multiple entries, and it is linked to the passport you used to apply. It does not lengthen your permitted stay.
Does QazETA guarantee I will be allowed in?
No. Border officers keep the power to refuse entry under migration law, for example if you gave false information or were previously deported. Carry your usual documents, including onward tickets and accommodation details.
Bottom line
Nothing changes for your next short Kazakhstan trip except one extra, free online step. Until 30 June 2027 it is optional, so apply early and avoid surprises. From 1 July 2027 it is a must, to be done at least 72 hours before you arrive and only through the official site or app. Rules like this can be adjusted, so confirm the latest details on qazeta.kz before you book.
Sources
- The Astana Times: Kazakhstan to begin electronic entry checks Nov. 1, make QazETA mandatory in 2027
- Wego Travel Blog: QazETA rollout dates and how to apply
- Travel And Tour World: Kazakhstan introduces mandatory QazETA travel authorisation from July 2027
