Registration

All foreign citizens including from the CIS region staying in Kazakhstan for more than 72 hours are subject to registration in OVIR (Office for Visas and Registration). Registration must be done within 3 days from the date of arrival excluding holidays and weekends. In Almaty, OVIR (Tel.: (3272) 63-86-81 or 62-54-62) is at 86, Karasay Batyr Street (west of Masanchi Street). Visas are accepted for registration every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 11:00 to 12:15, return of passports from 06:00 on the same days. In Astana, OVIR (tel.: (3172) 32-77-51) is at 63, Seyfullin Street. Open Monday through Friday from 08:30 to 12:30 and from 14:30 to 19:00.

The following categories of non-residents are exempt from the registration:
  a) Heads of States and Governments, members of Government and Parliament delegations invited by the President of Kazakhstan or the Parliament of Kazakhstan. Exemption is extended to the families and technical staff of such delegations;
  b) persons with UN passports;
  c) transit travellers, i.e. people leaving Kazakhstan within 3 days;
  d) nonresidents aged under sixteen;
  f) nonresidents taking part in international rallies, marathons etc;
  g) international aircraft and train crews provided they stay at the airports or railway stations as indicated in effective schedules.

All Almaty hotels take care of registration for their guests. At most hotels it is a value added service for about $10.

If you come upon business invitation and not staying at hotels, the inviting company must take care of registration. If you are coming as an individual it would be better if your local friends take care of your registration with the OVIR. Most travel companies provide registration services. See the list in the A-Business on-line database. If your stay is going to be for more than three months, you will have to provide an HIV test certificate. The test must be taken in Kazakhstan only. The AIDS Center is on 7 Talgarskaya Street (near the Green Bazaar), between Makatayev Street and Zhibek Zholy Street, Tel.: (3272) 34-94-13). The price is 1147 tenge. For $50 tests are taken at the International SOS Clinic (11, Luganskogo Street, Tel.: (3272) 91-30-30).

If you are planning to visit other cities of Kazakhstan remember that registration is required in every location.

Please be serious with registration unless you are looking for fines, problems at the airport and even deportation from the country.