---
title: "Kazakhstan QazETA Pilot for Visa-Exempt Visitors"
url: "https://travel-buddy.ai/kazakhstan-qazeta-pilot/"
type: "post"
date: "2026-09-06T04:17:14-05:00"
modified: "2026-09-06T04:17:16-05:00"
---

# Kazakhstan QazETA Pilot for Visa-Exempt Visitors

Source: https://travel-buddy.ai/kazakhstan-qazeta-pilot/

> Kazakhstan QazETA pilot lets visa-exempt travelers apply 72 hours before travel. The authorization lasts 180 days and is not mandatory during the pilot.

![Featured image](https://travel-buddy.ai/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/landscape-in-Kazakhstan-scaled.jpg)

Kazakhstan QazETA now has a legal basis, but travelers should not treat it as a confirmed paid-entry rule. The pilot does not alter visa-free stay limits or guarantee admission at the border, and officials have not published an ETA fee or payment procedure.

## What changed

The electronic travel authorization legal framework and QazETA pilot began on August 25, 2026, replacing a system with no statutory ETA mechanism. According to [Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs](https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-london/press/news/details/1146333), the authorization is recommended, rather than mandatory, during the pilot. Applicants should submit at least 72 hours before travel, and each authorization is valid for 180 days. Payment functionality is planned for a later phase. Mandatory use is planned gradually, but the government has not announced a pilot end date or confirmed November 1, 2026.

## Who is affected

Georgia Today’s report explicitly names [Georgian passport holders](https://travel-buddy.ai/georgian-passport/), [Kyrgyzstani passport holders](https://travel-buddy.ai/kyrgyzstani-passport/), [Uzbekistani passport holders](https://travel-buddy.ai/uzbekistani-passport/), [Armenian passport holders](https://travel-buddy.ai/armenian-passport/), [Azerbaijani passport holders](https://travel-buddy.ai/azerbaijani-passport/), [Belarusian passport holders](https://travel-buddy.ai/belarusian-passport/), [Russian passport holders](https://travel-buddy.ai/russian-passport/), [Ukrainian passport holders](https://travel-buddy.ai/ukrainian-passport/) and [Turkish passport holders](https://travel-buddy.ai/turkish-passport/) among visa-free travelers potentially affected by QazETA. This is not a final binding country list. The pilot covers ordinary and other non-diplomatic, non-service documents used for visa-free entry, while diplomatic and service or official passport holders, official delegations and accredited diplomatic corps representatives are exempt.

## Why Kazakhstan made the change

Kazakhstan says QazETA is intended to digitalize migration procedures, give foreigners a single access point for government services, increase transparency, shorten processing times and improve service efficiency. According to the [Adilet Legal Information System](https://www.adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/Z2600000326), legislation also allows ETA revenue to support the digital platform, border systems and tourism development.

## What travelers should do

Visa-free travelers may apply at least 72 hours before departure during the pilot. Check official Kazakhstan government updates before booking or traveling after November 2026, particularly for any mandatory rollout, fee and final country list. An approved ETA remains separate from the border officer’s admission decision.

## Apply now

[qazeta.kz](https://qazeta.kz/eta)

## Sources

- [Law No. 326-VIII on Digitalization and Migration Changes – Adilet Legal Information System](https://www.adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/Z2600000326)
- [Kazakhstan Launches QazETA in Pilot Mode – Kazakhstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs](https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-london/press/news/details/1146333)
- [Electronic Travel Authorization to Kazakhstan – QazETA](https://qazeta.kz/eta)
- [Introduction of Electronic Travel Authorization – EY Kazakhstan](https://www.ey.com/ru_kz/technical/tax-alerts/2026/08/kazakhstan-electronic-travel-authorization-eta-2026-migration-law-changes)
- [Kazakhstan to Introduce Paid Entry and Mandatory ETA – Georgia Today](https://georgiatoday.ge/kazakhstan-to-introduce-paid-entry-and-mandatory-eta-for-visa-free-visitors-from-november/)