CONTENT|CONTENU

TRAVEL REPORT
Kazakhstan

1. RECENT UPDATES

The information contained in this Travel Report has been thoroughly reviewed and updated.

BACK TO TOP

2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Kazakhstan

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Some areas along the border with China, as well as the provinces of Zhambyl (Gvardeiskyi village, Rossavel village, Kulzhabasy), Qaraghandy (Priozyorsk village, Gulshad village), Qyzylorda (Baikonur, Karmakshinsky, and Kazalinsky regions), and West Kazakhstan (Bokeiordinsky and Zhangalinsky regions), are closed to travellers. Government authorization is required prior to travel to these areas. Canadians should expect delays in obtaining travel documents.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

BACK TO TOP

3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Crime

Violent crime against foreign tourists occurs. Robberies occur on public transportation, in parks, shopping areas, open markets, and restaurants, and near major tourist hotels and nightclubs. Do not open your door to strangers under any circumstances. Do not carry large amounts of money or travel alone after dark.

Foreigners have been robbed by individuals posing as police officers. If approached, ask to see police credentials.

Men posing as "meet and greet" airport facilitators lure unsuspecting foreigners into cars and demand money. Canadians should make prior arrangements with their contacts for appropriate identification upon arrival at the airport.

Do not accept food or drinks from strangers. Do not leave food or drinks unattended in bars or restaurants. Cases of drugging followed by robbery have occurred.

At night, it is advisable to call a reputable taxi service in advance before leaving popular restaurants and places of recreation, as foreigners have been specifically targeted leaving such venues.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations may occur in Kazakhstan. Canadians are advised to avoid political gatherings and demonstrations, and to stay away from areas where they may take place, as they could turn violent without warning. Canadians should also monitor news reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

General Safety Information

As identification checks are common and the police can arrest visitors who do not carry identification, carry photo ID as well as a legally certified copy of your visa and registration with you at all times. Furthermore, keep your passport and visa in safekeeping facilities. It is also advisable to leave a photocopy of your travel documents with a relative or a friend at home.

Tourist facilities are limited, especially outside Almaty and Astana.

For emergency assistance, dial 101 for the police, 102 for fire, and 103 for an ambulance.

BACK TO TOP

4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Kazakh authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller's responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Kazakhstan. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from Kazakhstan.

Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required
Transit Visa: Required

Each type of visa has different application requirements. Therefore, Canadians planning to go to Kazakhstan are advised to visit the consular section of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Visitors who plan to stay in Kazakhstan for more than one month are required to present a letter of invitation.

Canadians travelling for business, work, investment, missionary, or transit purposes are advised to take special care when obtaining a visa for Kazakhstan. Applicants should verify with the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Ottawa that the visa corresponds to the type of activity to be undertaken in the country. Canadian citizens have, in some cases, been charged under the administrative law of Kazakhstan for visa infringements and faced a sentence of up to 15 days' imprisonment and subsequent deportation.

Upon arrival in Kazakhstan, Canadian citizens are required to complete a migration card at the port of entry and to register with the local authorities. Registration is done upon arrival at specific ports of entry only (currently the 13 international airports of Astana, Almaty, Oral/Uralsk, Atyrau, Aktau, Karaganda, Ust-Kamanogorsk, Pavlodar, Kostanai, Aktubinsk, Shimkent, Taraz, and Semei), where there is a National Border Control Officer of the Kazakhstan National Security Committee. The registration process is complete when a second stamp is put on the migration card by the National Border Control Officer (one stamp is for entry and the second stamp is registration). Travellers are encouraged to check their migration card for two stamps before leaving the passport control area.  At all other ports of entry not listed above, the National Border Control Officer puts only an entry stamp and the traveller must register at the nearest Migration Police office within five calendar days of arrival in Kazakhstan. Failure to complete the registration process, which will result in failure to present the migration card to the National Border Control upon exit from the country, contravenes the administrative law of Kazakhstan, and the traveller may be fined, detained, and refused exit from the country.

Travellers transiting Kazakhstan who hold valid visas for other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan) require a transit visa or a regular visa. Travellers who plan to travel to both the Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan, with Almaty as their arrival and departure point, need a multiple-entry Kazakhstan visa in addition to a Kyrgyz visa. These travellers may be subject to lengthy entry and exit procedures.

All foreigners planning to travel or reside in Kazakhstan for more than three months must provide a medical certificate of a negative test for infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) conducted no more than one month prior to registration.

The certificate must be presented to the Office of Visas and Registration (OVIR) within three days of arrival and must be translated and certified by a local notary and the Centre for the Prevention and Control of AIDS. The HIV test may be done abroad or locally at the Centre.

Canadian citizens planning to work or reside in Kazakhstan may also be required to provide a criminal record check issued by the appropriate police authority in Canada and passed through the authentication of documents process.

Travellers arriving from or having been in transit through a country where yellow fever is endemic require proof of yellow fever vaccination.

---

A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

BACK TO TOP

5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Kazakhstan - ALMATY, Embassy of Canada
Address: 34 Karasai batyr Street, Almaty 050010, Kazakhstan
Tel.: 7-727-250-1151/52/53
Fax: 7-727-258-2493
E-Mail: almat@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.kazakhstan.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Almaty and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

BACK TO TOP

6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to closely monitor and report on occurrences of avian influenza A (H5N1), or "bird flu", in humans and in birds. Further information on avian influenza A (H5N1) and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site. For more information, see our Global Issues page on Avian Influenza.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

BACK TO TOP

7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Reports indicate that radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with former defence industries and test ranges, particularly in the Semipalatinsk area, pose health risks. Industrial pollution is severe in some cities.

Consumption of untreated water and water-based foods greatly increases chances of illness. Do not drink tap water. Travellers should drink only bottled water, peel all fruits and vegetables, and avoid undercooked meat, dairy products, and most food sold in the streets.

Medical facilities throughout Kazakhstan are scarce and the quality of care is below Western standards. Medical clinics often have poor hygiene standards and lack basic drugs and equipment. Travellers should carry basic medical supplies such as a well-stocked first aid kit and prescription medicine.

BACK TO TOP

8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Religion

Although Kazakhstan is a secular country, Islamic practices and beliefs are closely adhered to, particularly in rural areas. Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour. Respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities.

Dual Nationality

Dual nationality is not recognized. This may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services. Canadians should travel using their Canadian passport and present themselves as Canadian citizens to foreign authorities at all times. Dual nationals may be subject to national obligations. Those affected should check their status with the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Canada.

The Department publishes a booklet entitled Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know, specifically targeted at Canadians with dual nationality.

Illegal and/or Restricted Activities

There is “zero tolerance” for drinking and driving.

Possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs may result in jail sentences and heavy fines.

Homosexual activity is legal but is not widely accepted by Kazakh society.

Photography of military installations or government buildings may result in a penalty. Travellers should seek permission from local authorities before taking photographs.

BACK TO TOP

9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Road Travel

Poor driving standards, poorly lit and maintained roads, and obscure signs and regulations make driving hazardous, especially in winter. Driving after dark is dangerous. The Cyrillic alphabet is used on road signs. It is adsivable to hire a car with a driver.

It is advisable to buy gas before leaving major cities because there are few gas stations in rural areas.

Use only officially marked taxis, pre-negotiate the fare, and do not allow other passengers to ride with you.

Routine and strict border controls on the road between Almaty and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, have been implemented, making travel in this region more difficult. Strict adherence to visa regulations is essential.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.

Rail Travel

While the rail service is good, robberies often occur and corruption may be prevalent. Store personal belongings in a safe place and do not leave the compartment unattended. Ensure the door is secured from the inside.

Air Travel

Unannounced delays and flight cancellations are common in winter due to poor weather conditions. Reservations on regional airlines are not always respected.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

---

The economy is primarily cash-based. The official currency is the tenge (KZT). It is illegal to use foreign currency in financial transactions. Travellers must declare amounts exceeding US$3,000 at border crossings.

Traveller's cheques are rarely accepted outside large hotels catering to foreigners. Credit cards have become more prevalent in large urban centres. Euros and U.S. dollars can be exchanged at authorized currency exchanges. All U.S. dollar bills must have been issued after 1995 and be in good condition. Automated banking machines (ABMs) are available in Almaty and Astana, and are becoming increasingly available in other urban centres throughout the country.

Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

BACK TO TOP

10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Kazakhstan is located in an active seismic zone. Avalanches and landslides are possible in mountainous areas, especially in the spring.

Canadian citizens staying in Kazakhstan for extended periods are advised to maintain a stock of emergency items at their residence and to prepare and review personnal emergency plans with their family.

All Canadians in the country should know the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in Almaty, in the event of an emergency.

BACK TO TOP

11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

BACK TO TOP

12. ANNEX

N/A

BACK TO TOP