COVID-19 Information (2023)

Last updated: 10/17/2022

***As of 12:01 a.m. EDT June 12, 2022, the CDC order requiring all persons aged two and above to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States, is rescinded. Starting at 12:01 a.m. EDT on June 12, 2022, the CDC will no longer order air passengers to show a negative COVID-19 test result, or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19, prior to boarding a flight to the United States.Of note, CDC’s Order requiring proof of vaccination for non-U.S. citizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States is still in effect. For more information seeRequirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers.

Check the CDC website for additional information andFrequently Asked Questions.

Country-Specific Information

• The Department of State has issued a Level 2 Travel Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution.
• The Kazakhstani Ministry of Health has confirmed 1,394,287 cases of COVID-19 in the country as of October 16, 2022. There are an additional 90,119 cases of pneumonia that are suspected to be COVID-19, though these have not been clinically confirmed.
• U.S. citizens are urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts from the Embassy and Consulate. Ensure you have added a trip to Kazakhstan on your profile and your contact information is up to date to receive pertinent updates.
• For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please consult the CDC’s website.

COVID-19 Testing

• Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in Kazakhstan? Yes
• If so, are test results reliably available within one calendar day? Yes
• Click here to access a list of local medical providers who can advise on COVID-19 testing options. In addition, information on testing locations in Nur-Sultan is available in Kazakh or Russian by dialing local number 109. Information for locations throughout the country is available in Kazakh or Russian by dialing 169.
• For information on limited humanitarian exemptions, please review the following page: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-testing-required-us-entry.html
• Humanitarian exemptions to this order will be granted on an extremely limited basis and will only be considered when the country of departure lacks adequate COVID-19 testing capacity. To submit information in support of an exemption, email USAKZ@state.gov.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information:

• Has the government of Kazakhstan approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use? Yes
• Are vaccines available in Kazakhstan for U.S. citizens to receive? Yes, for permanent residents (see below).
• Which vaccines are available in Kazakhstan? Sputnik V, QazVac, CoronaVac, Sinopharm, and Pfizer. Pfizer vaccinations may not be available to non-Kazakhstani citizens. Please check with your local provider.
• Foreigners who live and work in Kazakhstan and have permanent residence cards may receive COVID-19 vaccination free of charge just like Kazakhstani citizens. Currently, the only record of this announcement is in media reporting.
• The Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan initiated a multi-stage vaccination program on February 1, 2021. Please see the announcement for specifics on the plan.
• Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.
• The U.S. Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.

Entry and Exit Requirements

• Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes.
  • The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Kazakhstan advises potential travelers to reconsider visits to Kazakhstan at this time due to the risk of COVID-19 in country.
  • U.S. citizens can visit Kazakhstan without a visa for up to 30 days for all purposes of travel, with the exceptions of employment and missionary work.Individuals traveling visa-free in Kazakhstan cannot stay for longer than 30 days at once, or for more than a total of 90 days during any six-month period.
  • Visitors may arrive via overland entry through Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.
  • Please note that immigration questions are the purview of the Government of Kazakhstan, and we are not permitted to intervene on matters related to entering Kazakhstan. Such matters should be directed to the Kazakhstani Embassy in the United States or, if applicable, your employer.
• Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? No.
• Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? No
• U.S. citizens needing to extend their Kazakhstani visas can contact the Migration Police:
  • In Nur-Sultan: 31 Imanov St. (between Beisekbayev St. and Sembinova St.), Tel. 8-7172-374-851, 8-7172-374-899, 8-7172-374-867, or 8-7172-374-876
  • In Almaty: 109A Karasai Batyr Street (near Nikolsky Bazar), Tel. 8-7272-544-684 or 8-7272-544-145
  • E-gov website: https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/migration/activities/services?lang=en
  • Or on Facebook

Movement Restrictions

• Is a curfew in place? No.
• Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? Yes, in some cases.
  • As of May 11, 2021, the Government of Kazakhstan began prohibiting people who accompany departing travelers or meet arriving passengers from entering airports and rail stations in regions in high risk “Red Zones.” An exception exists for airports and rail stations participating in the “Ashyq” application system (please see further information on “Ashyq” in the Quarantine Information paragraph below).
  • Kazakhstan’s regions are empowered to take additional measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 as necessary, including erecting checkpoints to limit travel in and out of cities and oblasts. For regional information please see this Kazakhstani “Electronic Government” website.

Quarantine Information

• • Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Possibly
    • Upon entering Kazakhstan, travelers with elevated temperatures will be isolated in a facility for infectious diseases.

• Quarantine Measures: A wide variety of businesses – including gyms and fitness centers, pools, beaches, cultural facilities, museums, exhibits, entertainment centers, religious facilities, movie theaters, food courts, and recreational facilities – are open. However, some regional and local governments periodically impose restrictions in response to increases in the infection rate.

• Ashyq Application: “Ashyq” is an application that displays a color-coded risk status for each individual based on information in Ministry of Health COVID-19 infection, PCR test, and vaccination databases, While still in use in Kazakhstan, enforcement of the app varies depending on the COVID incidence rates. When enforced, individuals wishing to patronize these businesses must have the Ashyq application on a personal device or provide their passport and must have “blue” (no information on potential infection or exposure found) or, “green” (either vaccinated or received a recent negative PCR test) status in Ashyq. See here and here for more information. As of March 15, 2022, the requirement to use the Ashyq application has been removed for facilities located in “yellow” or “green” zones.

• Masks Required: The Chief Sanitary Doctor of Kazakhstan has recommended that masks be worn nationwide in public settings, including both indoor and outdoor spaces and on public transportation, but the requirement to wear masks in most places has been lifted. People with symptoms of COVID-19 are still required to wear masks, as well as employees, patients, and visitors to medical facilities. Failure to comply with this measure could result in administrative penalty. This mandate may be suspended in areas of the country in the “green zone”.

Transportation Options

• Are commercial flights operating? Yes
• Is public transportation operating? Yes

Fines for Non-Compliance: Yes, individuals who fail to comply with restrictions face fines.

Consular Operations

• American Citizen Services: At present we are offering all American Citizen Services including full passport and citizenship services, ballot collection, federal benefits services, and notarial services.

• Visa services: Appointments for immigrant and non-immigrant visa services have resumed at the U.S. Embassy in Nur-Sultan and the U.S. Consulate in Almaty. For more information on visa services, click here.

Local Resources:

For the most up-to-date information on restrictions in your city or region, please use this link.

Other links:

• COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov
• CDC page on COVID-19
• US Department of State Kazakhstan Page

By U.S. Mission Kazakhstan | 5 October, 2022 | Topics: Alert, Emergency Services, Messages for U.S. Citizens, Press Releases,