23 March 2021
There's a ban on overseas travel from Australia. You can’t leave Australia unless you have an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs, or are travelling to a destination that is exempt from the ban.
Our global travel advice remains at 'Do not travel' due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel. Some destinations were already set at Do Not Travel prior to COVID-19 due to the extreme risk to your safety.
If you’re overseas and wish to return to Australia, be prepared for delays and read our advice on trying to get home.
When you arrive in Australia you must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities in your port of arrival, unless you have an exemption or are travelling on a quarantine-free flight from a green zone destination. At this time, vaccination against COVID-19 does not change this quarantine requirement. You may be required to pay for the costs of your quarantine. View State and Territory Government COVID-19 information for information about quarantine and domestic borders.
If you're staying overseas, make plans to stay for an extended period. Follow the advice of local authorities and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Stay in touch with family and friends so they know you're safe.
Our network of embassies and consular posts around the world will provide you with up-to-date local advice and support throughout this difficult period. Be aware consular services may be limited due to local measures.
For the latest information, read and subscribe to our news and travel advice. Also see our COVID-19 information pages.
Call 112.
Call 101.
Call 103.
Call 102.
Do not travel to Kazakhstan.
Do not travel overseas due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Theft, pickpocketing, bag-snatching and assaults occur. They can happen:
The risk of crime increases at night.
To lessen your risk:
There are reports of thieves drugging and robbing travellers in nightclubs and bars in Almaty.
To reduce your risk of food and drink spiking:
never leave your drinks or food unattended
don't accept food, drinks, gum or cigarettes from strangers or new friends
Criminals have targeted the expat community in Atyrau and Aktau in western Kazakhstan in the past. Expats have been the victims of violent attacks and muggings.
Carjackings are reported.
Thieves posing as police officers or 'meet-and-greet' drivers at airports have robbed travellers. Official taxi drivers and police officers have ID.
To stay safe when using cars and taxis:
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent. Authorities will arrest both participants and bystanders, even for non-violent demonstrations.
In the past, there have been tensions around the border with the Kyrgyz Republic. Security issues could emerge if tensions intensify.
To stay safe during civil unrest:
If you plan to travel between Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic:
More information:
Terrorism is a threat in Kazakhstan. An attack could occur at any time. Targets may include places popular with foreigners.
Attacks can be indiscriminate.
People have been killed or injured in past terror attacks. Targets included:
To stay safe:
If there's an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe to do so.
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
More information:
Kazakhstan experiences natural disasters and severe weather.
Earthquakes occur in Kazakhstan.
People have died in snow-related accidents in recent years, including:
If a natural disaster happens:
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. A ban on overseas travel from Australia remains in place. You can’t leave Australia unless you get an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs.
Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. Consider whether you may be in a vulnerable category for COVID-19.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Kazakhstan. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription and a dated letter from your doctor stating:
Declare all medicine on arrival. You could face charges if you either:
Officials may charge you for undeclared medicines even if you have a doctor's prescription and letter. Contact the nearest Embassy or consulate of Kazakhstan for advice.
More information:
COVID−19 remains a risk.
For information on Kazakhstan's COVID−19 vaccination program, refer to the Government Services and Information portal. You should consult your local health professional for advice on vaccine options, including assistance that may be available locally. The Australian Government cannot provide advice on the safety, quality and efficacy of vaccines that have been approved for use outside of Australia's regulatory process.
More information:
Visiting forested areas may expose you to tick bites. Ticks can carry diseases. They are common from spring to autumn.
Regularly check your body for ticks during and after visits to forest areas.
If a tick bites you:
More information:
HIV/AIDS is common. Take precautions if you engage in activities that expose you to the virus.
Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are common. They include:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
To protect yourself from illness:
If an animal bites or scratches you, get immediate medical help.
Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.
More information:
Medical facilities in Kazakhstan are below Australian standards. Basic drugs and equipment are in short supply.
You often need to pay in cash up-front before doctors or hospitals will treat you. This includes for emergency care.
If you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated to the United Arab Emirates or another place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
You're subject to local laws and penalties, including those that appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Penalties are severe for carrying, using or trafficking in illegal drugs. They can include prison sentences and heavy fines.
More information:
Serious crimes, such as murder, may attract the death penalty.
It's illegal to take photos:
Bans apply even if there are no notices banning photography.
You may need to get official documents before you go to Kazakhstan if:
Kazakhstan will only recognise an Australian-issued document if it is authenticated. Find out what you need to do from an embassy or consulate of Kazakhstan before you travel.
You need an official letter of no objection from the Australian Embassy in Moscow if you plan to either:
More information:
Identity checks by police are common.
Always carry your passport and your registration. A certified copy, including your registration, is usually sufficient.
It's illegal to drive if your blood alcohol reading is over 0%.
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Kazakhstan doesn't recognise dual nationality.
If you're a dual citizen, this limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.
If authorities find out about a second nationality, they may:
If you're an Australian-Kazakh dual national, you might have to do national service if you visit Kazakhstan.
In deciding which passport to travel on, think about:
More information:
Standards of dress and behaviour are conservative in Kazakhstan.
Same-sex relationships are legal, but not widely accepted.
Take care not to offend. If in doubt, dress and behave conservatively and seek local advice.
The Islamic holiday month of Ramadan is observed in Kazakhstan. Respect religious and cultural customs and laws at this time.
During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking may be illegal in public during the day. If you're not fasting, avoid these activities around people who are. Seek local advice to avoid offence.
Explore our Ramadan page to learn more, including dates for Ramadan.
More information:
Before you travel:
You won't need a visa to stay for up to 30 days.
You must register at the local Migration Police office if you plan to stay longer than 3 months. You may also need to register if you enter through a land or sea border.
For longer stays, you'll need to get a visa before you travel. Get a visa that matches the purpose of your visit.
If you overstay your visa or breach your visa conditions, authorities may fine, jail or deport you.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Kazakhstan for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
You should contact your nearest Kazakh Embassy for further information.
Make sure you have the right visa for the purpose of your travel, especially for business visas or work permits. Check the validity dates of your visa and any associated restrictions carefully before you travel.
Anyone who has overstayed their visa needs to apply to the local migration service for an extension and may have to pay a fine.
Kazakhstan has introduced a state of emergency and closed its borders in response to the COVID−19 pandemic. Limited direct commercial flights have resumed with some countries. However, borders remain closed to most foreigners. If granted permission to travel, you'll need to show a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test result taken within three days of your arrival.
You can't transit via Kazakhstan, including to and from Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
Kazakhstan has implemented enhanced screening procedures. This includes medical checks at international border checkpoints. You must also quarantine for 14 days if you travel from some countries with registered cases of COVID-19.
Contact your airline or your nearest embassy or consulate of Kazakhstan to confirm entry requirements.
You must present your COVID-19 risk rating from the 'Ashyq' mobile application to enter most public places in Kazakhstan. This includes the Nur-Sultan and Almaty international airports. Only travellers with blue and green Ashyq risk rating can enter the airports (see 'Travel').
Social distancing measures are in place.
More information:
You may need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Kazakhstan if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever.
More information:
Officials will issue you with a migration card (white slip) on entry.
Keep this card in your passport. You'll need it:
The migration card must contain 2 stamps.
If you didn't get a migration card on entry, or your migration card contains only 1 stamp, contact the nearest Migration Police office.
If you plan to stay longer than 3 months, you must register with local authorities, you'll need a medical certificate showing a negative HIV result.
Strict rules apply to the export of antiquities.
Children travelling alone or with only 1 parent or guardian must carry a letter of consent for travel. Both parents must have signed the letter.
Hosts or hotels must notify immigration authorities of a foreigner’s arrival. The notification should be made within three working days from the date of the guest’s arrival in country and can be done online on the Visa and Migration portal or in writing to the Migration Service.
Passport validity
Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of three months beyond the expiry date of your visa. Your passport should also have at least one blank page for your visa.
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
The local currency is the Kazakh Tenge (KZT).
Declare amounts over $US10,000 or equivalent on arrival and departure. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
Only change your money at authorised commercial banks and exchange bureaus.
Cash payments are preferred. Large hotels accept traveller's cheques and credit cards.
Credit cards are widely accepted in Nur-Sultan and Almaty.
Outside of Nur-Sultan and Almaty, ATMs are limited.
Contact your bank to make sure your cards will work.
The following areas of Kazakhstan are closed to visitors unless prior permission has been received from the Foreign Ministry and the Interior Ministry, with the agreement of the Kazakh National Security Committee:
Do not cross the border into or out of Kazakhstan illegally.
Most land borders are currently closed to foreign nationals due to Coronavirus restrictions.
If you plan to travel to areas within 25km of Kazakhstan's borders, carry ID. Local authorities may ask to see proof of identity.
Strict border controls apply to road travel between Almaty in Kazakhstan and Bishkek in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Crossing the land border between the Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan by car can be slow. Customs checks can create long delays.
The border between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan may close for short periods. Before you go, check with the Kazakhstan Border Service (Russian).
To drive in Kazakhstan, you need both:
Get your IDP before you leave Australia.
You're 4 times more likely to die in a car accident in Kazakhstan than in Australia. Hazards include:
Cars often don't give way to pedestrians on roads.
In rural areas, animals on roads are another hazard.
The road between Almaty and Bishkek in Kyrgyz Republic is very poor. Drive carefully.
It may be difficult to access service stations in rural areas. Fuel shortages happen sometimes.
If you plan to drive:
More information:
Check your insurance policy covers you using a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.
Always wear a helmet.
Use only registered taxis and limousines. Arrange them through your hotel if you can.
Avoid public transport.
Local buses and mini-buses have poor safety standards and maintenance.
Rail travel can be unreliable and dangerous due to petty crime.
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Kazakhstan's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 112.
Call 101.
Call 103.
Call 102.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
Australia has a Consulate in Almaty headed by an Honorary-Consul. The Consulate provides limited consular services. It conducts passport interviews but doesn't offer notarial services.
You can access a full range of consular services at the Australian Embassy in Moscow.
10a/2 Podkolokolny Pereulok
Moscow, Russia
Phone: +7 495 956 6070
Fax: +7 495 956 6170
Website: russia.embassy.gov.au
Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
Esentai Tower
77/7 Al-Farabi Ave
Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
Phone: +7 776 108 3090
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
1300 555 135 in Australia
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.