This gorgeous Central Asian country just extended visa-free travel to 56 countries
With this move, Kazakhstan hopes to attract business travellers, digital innovators, and, of course, travellers. Its tourism profile is undoubtedly rising – the country welcomed over 7.5 million visitors in the first half of 2025, an 8.7 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024 – and expanded visa-free access will only boost visitor numbers further.
Whether you're eyeing a trip to the futuristic capital of Astana, the historic sights in Turkistan, or the otherworldly landscapes near Almaty, Kazakhstan just got a lot more welcoming. So, here's what you need to know about the country's new visa regime.
Who can enter Kazakhstan visa-free?
Europe (34 countries):
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Vatican City
Asia (9 countries):
Indonesia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam
Middle East (6 countries):
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates
Americas (5 countries):
Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and the United States
Oceania (2 countries):
Australia and New Zealand
Need to know before you go
Effective immediately, passport holders from eligible countries can enter, stay, and exit Kazakhstan without a visa. Just note that stays are limited to 30 calendar days per visit, with a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.
There are some special cases:
Indian and Iranian citizens can stay visa-free for up to 14 days per visit, with a total of 42 days within 180 days.
Turkish citizens get to stay for a whopping 90 days visa-free, thanks to close bilateral ties between the two countries.
What does this mean for travellers from Asia?
Time to pack your bags for Kazakhstan is what it means. Several Asian countries already offer direct flights there, including Thailand, Vietnam, India, China, and South Korea – and the number is growing every day. Now that access is visa-free, a trip to Kazakhstan could be as simple as a hop over to your favourite weekend destination. But let's be real, you'll want to spend a lot more time in Kazakhstan.
Why Kazakhstan should be on your 2025/26 hit list
Kazakhstan is the ninth-largest country in the world, and the largest landlocked one. In other words, it's massive, with plenty to explore. The country is home to some seriously unspoiled nature, with diverse landscapes ranging from deserts and canyons to mountains and jewelled lakes. These can be explored with guided tours (which we recommend booking far in advance) or, for the daring, by yourself in a rented car. Some top nature attractions include Altyn-Emel National Park, Kolsai Lakes National Park, and Charyn Canyon.
Kazakhstan is also a dream for culture and history buffs. There's the ancient Silk Road town called Otrar, majestic mausoleums like the Mausoleum of Khamaja Ahmed Yasawi, and in stark contrast, fabulously futuristic cities such as Astana, with striking landmarks like the Baiterek Tower.
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