Kazakhstan is set to introduce new border entry regulations for Russian citizens, requiring them to obtain a paid electronic travel authorization and register a digital biometric profile starting November 30, 2026. This change, signed into law by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, aims to enhance migration oversight along the long Kazakhstan-Russia border.
Russian nationals will need to apply for the electronic permit, known as QazETA, at least 72 hours before their travel. The standard fee for this authorization is 3,900 Kazakh tenge (approximately $8.60), increasing to 7,600 tenge (around $16.70) for applications made at border checkpoints without prior submission. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in denial of entry and possible deportation.
The digital system will initially be implemented at international airports and later expanded to rail corridors and maritime ports by mid-December. The QazETA permit is valid for 180 days, with Russian nationals allowed to stay no more than 90 days within that timeframe.
The move comes as Kazakhstan has become a popular destination for many Russians fleeing military mobilization and domestic repression following the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Many have used Kazakhstan as a base for business and employment, avoiding Western sanctions.
This tightening of border controls aligns with Kazakhstan’s efforts to maintain a balance in its relationship with Moscow while ensuring its domestic economic stability. Earlier this year, President Tokayev urged Russia to stabilize the situation in Ukraine during discussions with President Vladimir Putin. Additionally, Kazakhstan has previously implemented restrictions on vehicle entries from neighboring countries to prevent illegal fuel exports, responding to significant fuel shortages in its northern border regions.
