Almaty’s mountains and ski slopes are about three and a half hours from Dubai, and Kazakhstan has become a popular long weekend for UAE residents. Entry depends on your passport: Emiratis are visa-free for 30 days, Indians for 14 days per visit, and most other expat passports use an e-visa applied for online. The e-visa has one rule people often miss: it is valid only for Almaty and Astana airports.
Checked on 20 October 2026 against Kazakhstan’s Visa and Migration Portal and published guidance for UAE residents. Sources at the end.
On this page
- The short answer by passport
- Indian passport holders: 14 days, 42 in 180
- The Kazakhstan e-visa
- QazETA
- Mistakes to avoid
- Questions people ask
The short answer by passport
| Passport | Entry to Kazakhstan |
|---|---|
| UAE | Visa-free, up to 30 days |
| India | Visa-free, up to 14 days per visit, maximum 42 days in any 180 |
| UK, US, EU, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia | Visa-free, typically up to 30 days |
| Pakistan, Philippines, Egypt, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria | Visa needed before travel — usually the e-visa; a few nationalities need a sticker visa from the Embassy |
Your UAE residence does not change which route you need. When you apply for an e-visa from the UAE, you upload your UAE residence visa and Emirates ID, and the residence must stay valid for the whole trip.
Indian passport holders: 14 days, 42 in 180
Indian citizens can visit Kazakhstan without a visa for up to 14 days per visit, with a cap of 42 days in any 180-day period. A typical Almaty long weekend or week-long ski trip fits easily. For a longer stay, apply for a visa before travel. You need a passport valid at least 6 months beyond entry, a return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation.
The Kazakhstan e-visa
| Official portal | Visa and Migration Portal, vmp.gov.kz |
| Tourist, single entry | About US$60, paid in tenge |
| Processing | Usually 3 to 5 working days |
| Valid entry points | Almaty (ALA) and Astana (NQZ) airports only |
- Create an account on vmp.gov.kz.
- Choose the tourist e-visa and fill in your details exactly as in your passport.
- Upload your passport, photo, UAE residence visa and Emirates ID.
- Pay the fee.
- Download the approved e-visa and print it.
For some visit types, your host in Kazakhstan must first register an invitation with the Migration Service and give you its number. Business and medical e-visas cost more and take longer. Work and long-term student visas still need a sticker visa from the Embassy.
QazETA
Kazakhstan launched QazETA, a free mobile app for an electronic travel authorisation, in July 2025. It is being phased in. Visa-free travellers are recommended to complete it before flying, and it may become mandatory — check the app’s status before your trip.
Mistakes to avoid
- Entering by land on an e-visa. A bus from Tashkent or Bishkek into Kazakhstan does not work on an e-visa — only Almaty and Astana airports do.
- Indians staying 15 days or more without a visa.
- A UAE residence that expires during the trip.
- Paying an agency that presents itself as the government portal.
Questions people ask
Do Indians need a visa for Kazakhstan?
Not for visits of up to 14 days, up to 42 days in any 180-day period.
Do Pakistani residents of the UAE need a visa for Kazakhstan?
Yes, before travel — normally the e-visa on vmp.gov.kz, entering through Almaty or Astana airport.
Can I combine Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan by road?
Only if you are visa-free for Kazakhstan or hold a sticker visa. An e-visa holder must enter Kazakhstan by air through Almaty or Astana.
Related guides
- Uzbekistan visa for UAE residents
- Azerbaijan visa for UAE residents
- Georgia entry rules for UAE residents
- Russia visa for UAE residents
Sources
- Republic of Kazakhstan — Visa and Migration Portal: vmp.gov.kz
- Wego — Kazakhstan visa for UAE residents, 6 May 2026
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 20 October 2026. Rechecked quarterly and when QazETA becomes mandatory. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com — it gets fixed and logged.