PassportSouth Africa

Kazakhstan: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans need to apply for a visa before travel to Kazakhstan. You can stay up to 30 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

Visa required. South Africa is not on Kazakhstan's visa-free lists (90/30/14-day lists, nor the July 2025 draft expansion). South Africa is eligible for Kazakhstan's tourist e-visa, but the e-visa requires an invitation from a Kazakh host processed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, so in practice most travellers use an invitation/tour operator or the Embassy.24135

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

E-visa covers tourist (117 eligible countries incl. South Africa), business and medical treatment.2

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Passport validity

At least 6 months with two blank pages (GSA).5

Not yet confirmed by an official source

How to apply

E-visa via the Visa and Migration Portal www.vmp.gov.kz, only with a valid invitation from the Kazakh side considered by Ministry of Internal Affairs migration units; e-visa holders may enter/exit only via Astana or Almaty international airports. Alternatively paper visa at the Embassy: GSA cites ~5 working days, USD 60-90 tourist fee, hotel reservation approved by Kazakh immigration. Consular fees non-refundable.25

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Where South Africans apply

Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Pretoria (mission exists; its gov.kz visa page redirected/timeout, not opened).5

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Travel insurance

Not published by official sources

Return or onward ticket

Not published by official sources

Proof of funds

Not published by official sources

Accommodation or invitation

Invitation from Kazakh host required for e-visa; hotel reservation approved by immigration for Embassy visa.25

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

Not published by official sources

Arrival forms

Migration card issued on arrival; keep it during stay.4

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Extending your stay and overstaying

Foreigners must register with the Ministry of Internal Affairs migration office within 72 hours of arrival (or via hotel), or face fines (GSA). Note hotels usually register guests.5

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Transit

Not published by official sources

Travelling with children

Not published by official sources

What changed

23 July 2025Draft resolution to extend visa-free regime to 56 countries; South Africa not included.

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

  1. 2Astana International Financial Centre (state body), e-visa notice aifc.kz
  2. 4Kazakh Tourism (national tourism company) kazakh.travel

Reference

Used to find official sources, never the final word

  1. 1MFA Kazakhstan visa regime table (as reproduced by IFLA 2025 congress) 2025.ifla.org
  2. 3Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org

Commercial

Visa agencies, law firms and travel companies

  1. 5The GSA (SA travel visa agency), updated 2025-10-22 thegsa.co.za

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book.