Russia’s MFA says Kazakhstan has not announced entry fee for Russians
In short
Russia’s foreign ministry said Kazakhstan has not notified it or made any official statement about plans to charge Russians for an electronic entry permit, RIA Novosti reported. Kazakhstan’s QazETA electronic travel authorisation is currently in a pilot phase until 1 November, after which it becomes mandatory for international air passengers. The amendments to Kazakhstan’s migration law were signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on 24 June and took effect on 25 August.
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Russia’s foreign ministry said Kazakhstan has not notified it or issued any official statement about plans to charge Russians for an electronic entry permit. RIA Novosti reported the statement, and Vedomosti carried the same comment, attributing it to Alexander Sternik, director of the third CIS department at the Russian foreign ministry. Sternik said no notifications and no official statements on the matter had come from the Kazakh side. [ 1 , 2 ]
According to Vedomosti, Russians — like citizens of other countries with a visa-free regime with Kazakhstan — are required to obtain an electronic travel authorisation, known as QazETA. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed amendments to the migration law on 24 June, and they took effect on 25 August. [ 2 ]
The system is being introduced in stages. Until 1 November it runs in pilot mode, so the absence of an electronic permit is not yet a ground for refusing entry. From 1 November the permit becomes mandatory for passengers on international flights; from 15 November for people entering by car at borders with countries outside the EAEU; from 30 November at road checkpoints on borders with EAEU countries; and from 15 December for train passengers and those arriving through seaports. [ 2 ]
The electronic permit is valid for 180 days and allows several trips to Kazakhstan, Vedomosti reported. The documents do not state what prompted the discussion of a fee for Russians, whether a fee will be introduced, or what it might cost. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The question is directly relevant to Russians who travel to Kazakhstan under the visa-free regime, because the electronic entry permit becomes mandatory in stages between 1 November and 15 December. A fee, if one were introduced, would add a cost to that process for visa-free visitors. The documents do not say whether any fee is planned or what it would cost.
Key facts
- Russia’s foreign ministry said Kazakhstan has sent no notifications and made no official statements about plans to charge Russians a fee for an electronic entry permit. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The statement was made by Alexander Sternik, director of the third CIS department at the Russian foreign ministry, according to RIA Novosti. [ 2 ]
- Russians, like citizens of other countries with a visa-free regime with Kazakhstan, must obtain an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). [ 2 ]
- President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed amendments to Kazakhstan’s migration law on 24 June; they took effect on 25 August. [ 2 ]
- The QazETA system operates in pilot mode until 1 November, so the absence of an electronic permit is not yet grounds for refusing entry. [ 2 ]
- From 1 November the permit becomes mandatory for international air passengers, from 15 November for those entering by car from non-EAEU countries, from 30 November at road checkpoints on EAEU borders, and from 15 December for train passengers and arrivals at seaports. [ 2 ]
- The electronic permit is valid for 180 days and allows several trips to Kazakhstan. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- What prompted the discussion of an entry fee for Russians. Neither document says what raised the question or where the reports about a fee originated.
- Whether Kazakhstan will introduce a fee at all, and how much it would cost. The documents only report that no notifications or official statements were received, and give no figure or plan.