VISA AND MIGRATION PROCEDURES FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

Nazarbayev University welcomes international applicants who are coming to Kazakhstan for the purpose of studying. Before applying for a visa, all international applicants must first be admitted to a program at Nazarbayev University. Once an applicant receives the official admission letter, the University will provide the required documents for the visa application process.
All international applicants must obtain a student visa (category C9) or a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) for citizens of neighboring countries to enter Kazakhstan. This type of visa and the TRP are issued for one year and allow multiple entries into Kazakhstan. Both the visa and the TRP must be renewed annually.
Upon your arrival at the University campus, please promptly schedule a visit to our office located in Block 1, Office 1.248D, on the 2nd floor. This visit is essential for facilitating a smooth transition and for receiving guidance on visa and immigration procedures for newly admitted international students, including:

• Notification of the arrival of a foreign citizen in Kazakhstan
• Obtaining an Individual Identification Number (IIN)
• Biometric registration process
• Temporary Residence Permit (TRP for CIS citizens), among others

STUDENT VISA
Required Documents for obtaining a Visa Invitation Letter (with Visa Reference Number approved by Immigration Authorities):
For international applicants:

• A high-resolution, color-scanned copy of the main passport page
• Completed Visa Support Invitation Form (attached)
• Completed Enrollment Confirmation Form (from Applicant)
• Nazarbayev University Offer Letter (from the Admission Department)

Note: If the applicant resides permanently and plans to apply for a visa outside their country of citizenship, a copy of the relevant supporting document must be provided. Examples include a Residence Permit (e.g., Green Card) or a work permit for the applicant or an accompanying family member.

TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT (TRP)
International applicants who are citizens of the countries indicated below can enter the Republic of Kazakhstan on a visa-free regime under bilateral agreements but must apply for a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) for study purposes:

• Azerbaijan
• Armenia
• Belarus
• Kyrgyzstan
• Russia
• Tajikistan
• Uzbekistan

The host party (the University) arranges the permit. A Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) is issued for up to one year.
Accompanying family members: Children under 16 do not require a TRP Certificate. However, a TRP is necessary for an accompanying spouse and children over 16.
Upon leaving Kazakhstan, the TRP remains valid until its designated period ends. Upon re-entry into the country, there is no need to reapply for a TRP.

• Foreigner nationals must have an individual identification number (IIN) to open a bank account, receive stipend/salary payments within Kazakhstan, and obtain an Electronic Digital Signature (EDS), access government services (EGov Portal), and pay state duties consular fees, and other fees.

PASSPORT
The applicant's passport must be valid for the entire duration of their studies in Kazakhstan.
If you are replacing an expired passport, please provide us with the newly issued document. It is in your best interest to submit the necessary and up-to-date documents as soon as possible to avoid any issues with visa and immigration registration.

RESIDENCE PERMIT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN
Foreign nationals holding a residence permit for the Republic of Kazakhstan must send a high-quality scanned copy of their residence permit to maulen.yergaziyev@nu.edu.kz for our records.

NOTIFICATION OF ARRIVAL OF A FOREIGN CITIZEN IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN
In accordance with the current immigration regulations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the host party (University) must notify the immigration police of a foreign citizen’s arrival in Kazakhstan.
This notification must be submitted within three days of entry into the country. Notification of arrival is required in all cases, regardless of the purpose of entry - whether by visa or under a visa-free waiver.
The host party (the University) is responsible for submitting the notification. Foreign nationals do not need to contact the immigration police themselves.
To submit a notification, please visit the Department of Internationalization in Block 1, Office 1.248D, on the 2nd floor, and ask for Maulen Yergaziyev (Senior Manager for International Students Support, Department of Internationalization).
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES MAY RESULT IN AN ADMINISTRATIVE FINE AND DEPORTATION TO THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN. REPEATED VIOLATIONS MAY LEAD TO SERIOUS LEGAL CONSEQUENCES AND A BAN ON ENTRY INTO THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.

BIOMETRIC REGISTRATION
Please be informed that foreign nationals are now subject to obligatory fingerprinting when obtaining certain documents in Kazakhstan. The requirement took effect on January 1, 2024.

Which law introduces the changes?
Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated December 30, 2016 No. 40-VI ZRK "On fingerprinting and genomic registration" (as amended by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated December 23, 2023 No. 50-VIII).

What are the changes?
Foreign nationals who are 16 or older are subject to fingerprint registration when procuring the following migration documents:

• Temporary residence permits (CIS countries)
• Kazakhstani visas

Local MIA offices in Kazakhstan register fingerprints. Visa applicants abroad must undergo this procedure at local Kazakh Embassies/Consulates.

Required Documents for Biometric Registration:

• Original passport
• IIN Certificate

• Note! Refusal to undergo the fingerprint registration may lead to administrative expulsion from Kazakhstan.