|                                                                                                                                                             |  | NEW VISA, REGISTRATION RULES FOR KAZAKSTAN                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |  | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|**BISNISHome PageSearchBISNISEmbassyReportsCountryReportsIndustryReportsPublicationsSourcesof FinanceLeadsand EventsExchangeRatesState ExportsOtherSources** |  | October 1997U.S. citizens must obtain a visa prior to arrival in Kazakstan but visa and registration
requirements for foreigners visiting Kazakstan change frequently.  This article explains the latest
regulations as reported by the U.S. Embassy in Almaty.Visa Requirements
An official invitation from a registered Kazakstan-based organization is the first step to receiving
a visa.  A telex number is assigned by the Kazakstani Ministry of Foreign Affairs to each
invitation and sent to the Kazakstani Embassy in the traveler's country of departure.  Be sure to
have a copy of the invitation and the telex number when applying for a visa.  Kazakstani
embassies also require a completed visa application form, the applicant's passport (no
photocopies), and three identical, professional black and white passport-size photos.  Except in
emergencies, visas are no longer issued at the Almaty airport.Visits of more than three days require registration with the Department of Visas and
Registration (OVIR) of the Kazakstani Ministry of Internal Affairs.  Registration with OVIR
is very important for travelers staying in Kazakstan for more than three days, and  must be
completed within three business days of arrival.  A letter from the inviting organization, two
completed applications, and one passport-size photo are required for registration.Visa Terms and Costs
Be sure to allow adequate time for processing your visa application.  Single-entry visas require 14
days' advance notice for issuing and cost $35 to $100.  Multiple-entry visas require 30 days'
advance notice and cost about $200. Transit visas cost $15.  Fees change frequently and with little
notice, and are considerably higher for expedited processing.  A $150 penalty is imposed for
failing to comply with passport and visa requirements ($250 for travelers entering Kazakstan from
a NIS country).OVIR registration fees are based on the length of a traveler's stay in Kazakstan.   Current
registration fees (in tenge--Kazakstan's national currency) range from 2,120 tenge ($28) for up to
10 days to 5,300 tenge ($75.90) for 30 days, and 530 tenge for each month thereafter.Visitors planning to stay longer than three months must present a certificate indicating a negative
HIV test conducted no more than one month prior to registration.  Evidence of an HIV test
performed outside Kazakstan is acceptable, but testing is also done at the Center for Prevention
and Control of AIDS in Almaty.  The U.S. Embassy strongly recommends that all travelers
purchase evacuation insurance prior to arrival in Kazakstan.  For more information, visit BISNIS
Online at www.mac.doc.gov/bisnis/cables/970801kz.htm.This report is provided courtesy of the Business Information Service for the Newly
Independent States (BISNIS)