Kazakhstan to determine the operating procedure for the QazETA entry authorization system by the end of the year

Kazakhstan intends to determine the operating procedure for the QazETA entry authorization system by the end of the year

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan expects that the specific rules for the functioning of the QazETA electronic entry authorization system for citizens of countries with a visa-free regime will be approved by the end of 2026 or in early 2027. This was stated by the official representative of the department, Zhanbolat Usenov.

The development of the new mechanism is being carried out by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the innovation will affect citizens of all states with which Astana has a visa-free regime. Currently, citizens of about 50 countries, including the CIS states, the European Union, and the USA, have the right to enter Kazakhstan without a visa.

The creation of the system first became known in the summer of 2026 from a draft government resolution. The document spoke of a phased implementation of the mechanism and a possible differentiation of the fee for processing the electronic authorization. Later, the Ministry of Internal Affairs clarified that the issue of introducing a fee for foreign citizens remains open, and a final decision on it has not yet been made.

At present, the QazETA system is operating in a pilot mode, and the absence of a pre-submitted application is not grounds for refusal of entry. The authorities promise to announce the next stages of the innovation's implementation in advance through official sources.