Kazakhstan Business Visa - Definitive Guide (2020)

The Kazakhstan business visa for Indians lets Indians enter the Republic of Kazakhstan for the purpose of engaging in business activities. The government issues three categories of the business visa namely - 

• B1 - This category is issued for people travelling to attend business conferences, meetings, symposiums, forums, and other similar events. This is available as a single entry for 60 days in a90-day period or as multiple entries for 60 days on each entry in a 180-day period. 
• B2 - This is granted if you are a business person travelling for the purpose of auditing, counselling, etc. This is issued as a single-entry for 30 days in a 90-day period or with multiple entries for a stay of up to 90 days in a 180-day period. 
• B3 - This type is issued if you are travelling as a negotiator in business meetings, the board of directors, members of the founding party, etc. The permit can be issued as a single-entry type for a duration of 30 days in a 90-day period or as multiple-entry for 30 days on each entry in a 1-year period.

The application for the Kazakhstan business visa from India has to be made offline. Before starting the application, ensure that you are eligible to travel to the country on one of the business visas. After that, you can proceed to make the application as follows - 

1. Acquire all the documents as per the requirements.
2. Download the visa application form from the website of the Kazakh embassy. 
3. Take a print out of it and fill in the with all the relevant details.  Ensure that you write it clearly and in block letters. Providing false or incomplete information can lead to visa rejection. 
4. Proceed to deposit the application fee at the registered bank account of the embassy of Kazakhstan. 
5. With the fee receipt, complete application form and the documents for the business visa, visit the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in India in person and submit the application.

To be able to apply for the business permit, you must meet the following eligibility criteria - 

• You must be a resident of India if you are applying from India. If you are residing in a residence permit in a foreign nation, you may apply it to the concerning authority over there. 
• You must possess a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel, as well as submit any old passports.
• Your primary purpose of the visit must be to take part in business-related activities.
• You will need to possess an invitation letter approved by the ministry of internal affairs in Kazakhstan.

As per the Kazakhstan business visa requirements, you must submit the following documents in order to make a successful application. 

• A passport with a minimum of 2 blank pages and valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel. 
• 1 photo as per the photo specifications. 
• A completed and signed visa application form.
• Invitation letter approved by the ministry of internal affairs of Kazakhstan. 
• Address proof in the home country.
• Receipt of payment of the fees.
• Covering letter from the sending Indian company stating the details of the visit.

The photo submitted with the application must abide by the Kazakhstan business visa photo requirements listed below -

• Dimensions:  35mm X 45mm
• Colour: Coloured 
• Head must occupy the central position
• Must be recently captured within the last 3 months
• Background: Solid, plain white or grey
• 70-80% face coverage
• Neutral expression
• Glasses: Non-thick framed and prescription are permitted
• Headgears are allowed only for religious reasons
• Facial hair - permitted

The time taken to process the business permit depends on the number of entries, the volume of applications at the embassy, the type of business visa, as well as on the authenticity of your documents. Normally, they are processed within 5 working days. However, in certain cases, this may take longer. As a result, ensure that you apply well in advance.

The fees for the process depends mainly on the number of entries. It can also vary slightly depending on the foreign exchange rates as the fees as per the embassy is mentioned in USD. Apart from this, there may be additional services charges if you are applying through a travel agency. As a result, you must check the exact amount before starting the application.

Once you have submitted your application, the embassy will begin processing it. During this period, you cannot modify or withdraw the application. As a result, ensure that you fill in the application with great care. Once the visa has been processed, you can collect your passport from the embassy directly during the allocated hours (11:30 am to 01:00 pm) on the embassy working days.

Since the business visa application process is done offline, there is no online method to track it. However, you may contact the embassy via email to know the status. You can also contact your travel agency to have them check the status for you.

Once you have received your business visa for Kazakhstan, you must keep in mind a few points as it is essential in order to have a pleasant trip.

Before you travel - 

• Note the visa expiry date and the number of entries on the sticker. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• Carry all your travel documents before travelling. 

At the border

• The visa alone does not guarantee you entry into the country. The entry is dependent on the decision of the border control officers in Kazakhstan.
• You may have to show a copy of supporting documents you have submitted during your visa application, at the border control. 

In Kazakhstan

• While on a business permit, you cannot take part in any work. However, you are free to take part in tourism.
• You cannot extend the visa in normal circumstances.
• You must strictly abide by the rules and regulations in the country, as well as respect their culture and traditions.