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🇰🇿 Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is no. 32 in our list of the 50 most visited destinations, with 10.4 million international arrivals in 2024. Below: visa rules for every passport, cash limits at customs and the tourist traps official travel advice warns about.

Rank 32 of 50 by international arrivals (10.4 million, 2024) · Source: UN Tourism

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Explore Kazakhstan: things to do, shopping, food and getting around

A short guide based on Kazakh Tourism's official website.

Things to do

Places to visit

  • Central Almaty

    Almaty

    Must-see sights include the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, Ascension (Zenkov) Cathedral, Jibek Joly Avenue, Panfilov Street and the Old Square (Abay Square).

    Source: Kazakh Tourism (kazakhstan.travel) – Almaty

  • Museum of Folk Musical Instruments

    Almaty

    Kazakh folk instruments displayed in a carved wooden building by architect Andrey Zenkov in the historic centre. The collection includes a three-stringed dombra that belonged to Abai Qunanbaiuly.

    Source: Kazakh Tourism – Museum of Folk Musical Instruments in Almaty

  • Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi

    Turkistan

    A 14th-century mausoleum on UNESCO's World Heritage List, held sacred by Kazakhs. It is part of a protected museum complex that also includes the Hilvet underground mosque and the Mausoleum of Rabiga Sultan Begim.

    Source: Kazakh Tourism – Turkistan Province

  • Otyrar and Sauran

    Turkistan Province

    Ancient Silk Road settlements near Turkistan, now being restored. Many visitors first stop at the nearby Arystan Bab Mausoleum.

    Source: Kazakh Tourism – Turkistan Province

Food

Summarised in our own words from the linked pages, official tourism boards and transport authorities first; items marked "Not official" come from other guides. Prices and opening times change, so check the source before you go. Last checked 24 Oct 2026.

Common tourist traps and how to avoid them

Scams and risky spots named in official travel advice for Kazakhstan, plus a few reported in public visitor reviews (labelled), in our own words.

  1. Unofficial or shared taxis

    How it works: Unofficial taxis and cabs already carrying a passenger have been used in robberies.

    How to avoid it: Use licensed taxis booked in advance or by app.

  2. Pickpocketing at markets and on transport

    How it works: Foreigners are assumed to carry valuables.

    How to avoid it: Keep valuables hidden and in a safe place.

  3. Train compartment theft

    How it works: Luggage is stolen on overnight trains.

    How to avoid it: Lock your compartment.

  4. Card skimming

    How it works: Card details are stolen at street ATMs.

    How to avoid it: Use ATMs inside banks and keep cards in sight.

  5. Rejected dollars

    How it works: Exchange booths may refuse damaged, marked or pre-2013 US dollars; unofficial exchange is risky.

    How to avoid it: Bring clean, recent notes and use banks or official exchanges.

  6. Photo restrictions

    How it works: Photographing military sites, borders, airports or some official buildings can lead to confiscation, even without signs.

    How to avoid it: Ask before photographing anything sensitive.

  7. Airport taxi touts in Almaty

    How it works: Drivers approach new arrivals in the terminal and quote, or later demand, several times the normal app fare.

    How to avoid it: Ignore anyone who approaches you. Book a ride in a taxi app and confirm the upfront fare before you leave the terminal.

    From visitor reviews, not official Almaty International Airport. Sources: reddit.com · reddit.com. Researched 23 Oct 2026; there is no official page to re-check, so this date is not updated automatically.

Areas flagged in official advice

  • Closed without permits: Gvardeyskiy village (Almaty region), Baikonur, Karmakchi and Kazalinsk districts (Kyzylorda region)
  • Nightlife areas in Atyrau, Aktau, Astana and Almaty late at night

Official advice: FCDO: no areas advised against.

Emergency numbers in Kazakhstan

Other traps paraphrased from official travel advice: FCDO travel advice – Safety and security · FCDO travel advice – Warnings and insurance · FCDO travel advice – Getting help (emergency numbers) · FCDO page updated 30 Mar 2026 · Last checked 2 Nov 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Cash you can bring in and take out

Customs rules for banknotes and other cash when you enter or leave Kazakhstan.

EAEU Customs Code

Bringing cash in
Written passenger customs declaration required for cash and traveller's cheques over USD 10,000 equivalent (per entry).
Taking cash out
Foreign cash above USD 10,000 equivalent may not be exported (FCDO/State Revenue Committee).
Local currency (KZT) in
Counts towards the USD 10,000 declaration threshold.
Local currency (KZT) out
Counts towards the threshold.
Foreign currency
Export of foreign cash above USD 10,000 equivalent is not permitted.
  • Amounts above USD 100,000 need documents proving origin.

Official source: kgd.gov.kz · kgd.gov.kz · gov.uk · Last checked 4 Oct 2026

Kazakhstan visa rules by passport

The general rule for each passport, from official sources. Open a passport to see conditions and options that depend on where you live.

Visa-free87 passports
Visa on arrival1 passport
Embassy visa110 passports

Verified rules for Kazakhstan: 195 of 198 passports; awaiting verification: 3; not yet covered: 0. A rule that is awaiting verification or not yet covered is not a negative visa decision: it only means we haven't confirmed it on an official source yet.

⚠ Unofficial sources: 5 rules for Kazakhstan are not from an official Kazakhstan government source (based on other governments' travel advice or secondary research). They are labelled on each page, are not counted as verified above, and should be confirmed with the embassy before travel.

Nearby destinations

Official travel advice

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Plan your trip to Kazakhstan

Verify with the embassy before you book. Visa rules change without notice. We link every rule to its official source and last checked it on 2 Nov 2026, but the embassy, official e-visa portal and your airline have the final say. MyVisaPort is not a visa agent and is not affiliated with any government.