Before the trip
The rules for entry into Kazakhstan for Russians in 2021 require a negative result of a PCR test for coronavirus infection taken no later than 72 hours before departure. For transit, a PCR test is not needed if the passenger does not intend to leave the transit zone. Children under 5 years old do not need to do a PCR test.
After receiving a negative test result, you must present it at the airport in Russian or English. The certificate must have the original blue seal of the laboratory (clinic) and the signature of the doctor.
The PCR test for coronavirus must indicate your full last name, first name and patronymic. Be sure to check whether the date and time of collection of biological material are indicated correctly in the certificate.
If you are flying from another region of Russia with a transfer, then you have the opportunity to take an urgent PCR test for COVID-19 directly at Moscow airports, which is very convenient when calculating the validity period of the test results.
Do I need a passport in 2021?
Legislation is updated frequently. Before traveling, you should always check to see if any regulations have been put in place that impose new requirements on foreigners.
Do Russians need a foreign passport to Kazakhstan in 2021? Most entry rules for Russian citizens have not changed, so you can enter using an internal document if your stay in the country does not exceed 90 days.
When planning a flight to Kazakhstan using a Russian passport, you should carefully check its validity period. For those who are soon turning 20 or 45 years old, it is not advisable to plan to finish the trip a few days before the birthday. If for some reason you have to stay in Kazakhstan (illness, transport problems), you will need to obtain a travel certificate from the embassy. To avoid such problems, it is better to use a foreign passport.
We also read: How to obtain Russian citizenship for a citizen of Kazakhstan How to move to Kazakhstan from Russia
Rules for the entry of children into Kazakhstan
When traveling to Kazakhstan with a minor child, you must provide:
- Children under 14 years old - original birth certificate with an insert or stamp indicating Russian citizenship or a valid international passport;
- If the child is already 14 years old, then he can enter the territory of Kazakhstan using a general Russian passport, but it is still better to have the original birth certificate with him;
- In some cases, they may be required to present a notarized permission from the parents for the minor to leave Russia (when the child travels without them), indicating the duration of the trip and the state that is allowed to visit.
Basic rules for entry and stay in Kazakhstan
Our compatriots can freely stay in Kazakhstan for 30 days from the date of arrival.
Before the expiration of the specified period, it is necessary to register, according to which you will be allowed to stay in this country for another 60 days. Thus, the total period of stay is 90 days. In most cases, it is enough for both a tourist and a business visit. For persons who prefer to travel without a visa, Kazakh customs officers put a corresponding stamp on the migration card, indicating that they have crossed the state border. The tourist must keep this document during the entire period of stay in the country (3 months).
At the end of the visit, the card must be handed over to the border guard.
Rules for traveling from Kazakhstan to Russia
Starting from April 15, 2021, general rules for the entry of Russian citizens from the territory of foreign states into the territory of the Russian Federation came into force:
Before leaving Kazakhstan
to Russia, you must fill out a form for those arriving in the Russian Federation on the State Services website, which indicates personal data and symptoms (cough, temperature, etc.). It must be filled out before crossing the border in order to be presented upon arrival at the control point.
Upon returning to Russia
after Kazakhstan, it is necessary to do a PCR test for the presence of coronavirus infection COVID-19 within 3 days and upload the result to State Services.
The test can be done in any laboratory recommended by Rospotrebnadzor. According to the new rules, which come into force on July 7, 2021, upon arrival in Russia from any country in the world: • for
citizens who have been vaccinated for a year and have been ill for six months - PCR testing is cancelled;
• for unvaccinated
citizens - the re-take of the PCR test is canceled; the first and only test must be taken within 3 days upon arrival. Until the results of the study are received, self-isolation is required. The rule of taking a PCR test twice upon arrival from abroad, which was in force until 07/06/2021, has been cancelled.
Questions regarding visa support
Despite the fact that the visa-free regime between Russia and Kazakhstan does not require citizens planning to cross the Russian-Kazakh border to submit documents or issue visas similar to the Schengen or any other national visa of a European country, not always when staying in the Republic a Russian can only get by only with your Russian passport or a valid international passport.
The main questions that worry citizens are whether they need a visa to Kazakhstan to visit relatives, and whether they need a visa to get a job at a Kazakh enterprise.
There are a number of cases when the Kazakh authorities require a citizen of the Russian Federation to officially obtain a residence permit on the territory of the Republic from the Migration Service of Kazakhstan. Thus, the most common reasons for a Russian citizen to travel to Kazakh territory are domestic tourism and visiting relatives.
In order to comply with all the laws of the Republic, including the rules of the visa-free regime, a Russian must:
- When crossing the border, present a valid civil passport or a valid international passport to the Kazakh border service.
- Fill out the migration card and keep one copy of this card for the entire period of stay in the Republic.
- Staying on a migration card is allowed for up to 90 calendar days (when leaving the Republic of Kazakhstan, the migration service will check the dates of entry and exit).
- Upon arrival on Kazakh territory, you must register with the migration service at your place of residence (hotel, relatives, rental housing, etc.).
With such a travel arrangement, a Russian does not have the right to find employment on the territory of the Republic and do business here.
If a Russian has plans to find work in the country, then upon arrival he must apply to the migration service with a request for the right to permanent residence.
Such a petition is accompanied by documents confirming that the citizen conscientiously fulfilled his civic duties in the country of his citizenship (Russia), that he is not sick with infectious diseases and has sufficient capital so as not to experience financial difficulties at first.
As part of the visa-free regime with Russia, the Kazakh authorities are trying not to delay the issuance of permanent residence permits to Russians in the Republic.
How to properly issue a passport
It's the holiday season. Someone was planning to go to visit relatives in the near abroad, someone has already bought a ticket and is waiting to go to a boarding house in one of the points abroad. You're in a suitcase mood, but...
Shortly before departure, you suddenly remembered that your passport expires in a month. And the travel agency warns that to travel abroad, you must have at least six months left before your passport expires. What to do in this case? And what else should those traveling abroad pay attention to? We were advised by the deputy head of the migration police department of the Department of Internal Affairs of the South Kazakhstan region, Khadisha Baimukasheva.
Be sure to check if you have free pages for stamps and visas. Otherwise, immediately start applying for a foreign passport. Now it can be issued both in normal and accelerated mode.
Citizens of Kazakhstan, regardless of their place of residence, must have identification documents - an identity card and a passport of a citizen of Kazakhstan.
Identity cards and passports are issued by migration police units of district and city internal affairs departments through public service centers (PSCs) at the applicant’s place of residence.
A certain period of time is allotted for the production of the document - within 45 working days, depending on the region. In addition, there is an option for expedited processing.
A passport of a citizen of Kazakhstan is issued to citizens at their request, that is, it is not necessary to obtain it, and if you do not plan to travel abroad, then you may never need it. The passport serves only to identify the owner outside of Kazakhstan and is issued to citizens regardless of age. That is, currently it is possible to obtain a passport for a child under 16 years of age. This is usually resorted to when children travel abroad.
The passport is valid for 10 years. After this period it must be replaced. But at the request of a citizen, the validity of the passport can be extended for another year.
To do this, you need to come to the migration police department and write a statement. This procedure does not take much time. And, as a rule, everything is processed on the day of application. The cost of renewing a passport is 162 tenge (10% of the MCI).
Cost of obtaining a passport and ID card
For the issuance of a passport of a citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a state fee in the amount of 4 monthly calculation indices is charged.
Expedited passport and ID processing
You can issue a passport and identity cards expeditiously in up to 7, 10 and 15 working days.
Expedited processing cost:
• 7 working days – 1989 tenge;
• 10 working days – 904 tenge;
• 15 working days – 563 tenge.
To obtain a passport you must provide the following documents:
a certificate from the regional address bureau or a citizen registration book, or a certificate from the PSC information center confirming permanent registration; identification document (passport, if available); receipt of payment of the state fee for the passport; receipt of payment for expedited service at the request of the applicant. After registration, a citizen has the right to expedited registration if he wishes.
List of documents for obtaining a passport for children under 16 years of age:
birth certificate; ID card of one of the parents; citizen registration book or address certificate, or certificate from the PSC information center; child's tax identification number; receipt of payment of the state duty for the passport.
The presence of the child is required when preparing documents.
RABAT Editorial Board
Saida TURSUMETOVA
Memo for citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan traveling abroad Printable version
While staying in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws, which you must strictly observe. However, ignorance of the laws of the host country does not relieve you of responsibility.
When abroad, follow generally accepted standards of ethics and morality, adjust your behavior in accordance with the environment, it is important to respect local customs and traditions, especially in Asian and African .
Don't forget that knowing at least basic words and phrases in a foreign language will make your stay in the country easier and will also be welcomed by the local population.
In general, it is advisable to adhere to the following recommendations.
Upon arrival at the hotel, pay special attention to the rules of accommodation and fire safety; It is advisable to always have a hotel business card with you (in addition, you can always get booklets with maps from hotels).
In the event of unforeseen circumstances (detention by local law enforcement agencies, threats from other persons, traffic accidents, etc.), you have the right to request a meeting with an employee of the Kazakh consular office in the host state. Do not sign any protocols or other documents in a foreign language in the absence of employees of the consular office of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
When traveling abroad, it is also recommended to have a copy of your passport, visa and invitation, if any, served as the basis for its issuance. A copy of a passport or identification card of a citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan will help you, in the event of possible theft or loss of these documents, to obtain a “Certificate of Return to the Republic of Kazakhstan” from the consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan. If you do not have any documents or copies of them (in case of theft or loss), then you will have to go through the identification procedure at the consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan in order to issue the specified Certificate.
Kazakh citizens who arrived in a foreign country for the purpose of study, work or permanent residence are recommended to register with the consulate at the nearest Kazakh diplomatic mission or consular office. Consular registration will allow you to resolve many issues without leaving Kazakhstan (participation in elections and referendums, issuing a passport, civil registration, etc.), and will also facilitate your evacuation in the event of hostilities or mass unrest in the host state , natural Disasters.
If you rented a car, inspect the car for existing external defects/scratches, carefully check the execution of all documents, including insurance, so that in the event of an accident you will not incur costs for damages and not be subject to legal proceedings.
It is also important to take into account some features of foreign countries.
In particular, in many countries around the world smoking is prohibited in public places, or smoking is allowed in specially designated areas. For example, smoking bans in bars and restaurants have been introduced in countries such as Belgium, Ireland, New Zealand, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. A similar ban applies in some areas of Australia, the UK and the USA .
Many countries have introduced a complete or partial ban on the use of mobile communications while driving (in some countries it is allowed when using special “hands-free” devices). Among them are Australia, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Turkey, Malaysia, Singapore, USA (some states) and others.
When staying in countries with hot climates, it is strongly recommended to follow sanitary and hygienic precautions. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, drink water and other drinks from factory-sealed bottles, and also refrain from drinking water and freshly squeezed juices, fresh vegetable and fruit salads, and edible ice in public places.
In many countries, driving on the left is common. These include Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, Japan, Cyprus, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Singapore, New Zealand, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Malta, Jamaica and others.
In the United States, the principle of equality between women and men is strictly observed, and sometimes the display of familiarity or innocent flirting (as you think) on your part towards female representatives can lead to legal proceedings.
In Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, strict adherence to rules and laws is accepted. When traffic rules are violated, anonymous calls to the police from German citizens are not uncommon. Parking in prohibited areas may result in a fine at best, or a tow truck at worst.
In China , a country with a rich history and culture, one must always remember to respect local customs and traditions.
The Chinese do not like to say “no”, carefully choosing words for a more veiled and evasive answer, which can often simply be incomprehensible to a representative of another culture.
You cannot pat on the back, wave your arms, or tap the fist of one hand on the palm of the other, as all this is considered unacceptable.
In India , instead of the usual handshake, Indians greet guests with the traditional greeting “namaste” (or “namaskar”) - two palms pressed one against the other at chest level. This, however, does not exclude a subsequent handshake.
When choosing a gift for your Indian partner, you should avoid items made from beef leather, as the cow is a sacred animal in India.
During communication, Indians often shake their heads from side to side, which should be considered a gesture of approval and satisfaction, rather than denial. Sitting with your legs crossed during a conversation is considered disrespectful towards the interlocutor.
In Thailand, it is necessary to respect Buddhism and its traditions. When entering a Thai temple or home, you should remove your shoes at the threshold. The same should be done wherever the Thais themselves do it.
The King and members of the royal family should be spoken of with respect. These are people deeply respected by Thais and any disparaging phrase or gesture towards them is perceived as a personal insult.
Although Turkey is a secular country, the provisions of the Koran are observed quite strictly in this country. During the holy month of Ramadan, it is not recommended to consume any food or drinks in public places, or to smoke or chew chewing gum. Outside tourist areas, it is not advisable to wear shorts and T-shirts.
When visiting countries of the Muslim world, it is important to know that:
Meetings and acquaintance with representatives of Muslim countries traditionally begin with a handshake. Women greet men with a slight bow.
Particular attention should be paid to appearance. Women's clothing should be loose and modest. For example, in Iran and Saudi Arabia, women are prohibited from appearing on the street in open clothes and with their heads uncovered.
Sharia law is strict and must be observed, especially during Muslim holidays. Visitors to the country during the month of Ramadan should also refrain from smoking, eating and drinking any drinks in public places.
Alcohol is sold only in bars and restaurants of some hotels. Appearing drunk on the street or while driving is punishable by a fine, arrest or deportation. It is strictly not recommended to offer alcoholic drinks to local residents as gifts or souvenirs.
You cannot enter a Muslim's house wearing shoes. If the owner himself comes in wearing shoes, then this ban is lifted.
When you come to visit, you should not refuse a treat, because... this may be perceived as an insult or disrespect for the owner's home. Muslims value and are proud of the ancient traditions of hospitality.
In Saudi Arabia, non-Muslim foreign citizens are prohibited from visiting the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
You should also not walk among people praying. You cannot photograph government institutions, sheikhs' palaces, military installations and structures.
Communication with local women (outside of work) is regarded as an insult and is punishable by a fine. A woman must not be photographed, walked behind her, or let in front. Men can be photographed only after obtaining their permission.
We hope that these simple recommendations will ensure that you have a pleasant time and a comfortable holiday abroad.
Along with this, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with additional information about the country of destination: the political situation, climatic conditions, laws and national traditions, behavior in public and other places.
We wish you a happy trip!
