Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan
Republic of Kazakhstan

Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None Multiple 60 Months
A-2 None Multiple 60 Months
A-3 1 None Multiple 24 Months
B-1 None Multiple 120 Months
B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 120 Months *
C-1 None One 3 Months
C-1/D N/A N/A N/A
C-2 None One 3 Months
C-3 None Multiple 60 Months
CW-1 11 None Multiple 12 Months
CW-2 11 None Multiple 12 Months
D None Multiple 12 Months
E-1 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2 2 None Multiple 12 Months
E-2C 12 None Multiple 60 Months
F-1 None Multiple 60 Months
F-2 None Multiple 60Months
G-1 None Multiple 60 Months
G-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-3 None Multiple 60 Months
G-4 None Multiple 60 Months
G-5 1 None Multiple 60 Months
H-1B None Multiple 12 Months  3
H-1C None Multiple 12 Months  3
H-2A None N/A N/A3
H-2B None N/A N/A3
H-2R None Multiple 12 Months  3
H-3 None Multiple 12 Months  3
H-4 None Multiple 12 Months  3
I None Multiple 60 Months
J-1 4 None Multiple 60 Months
J-2 4 None Multiple 60 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 None Multiple 24 Months 
L-2 None Multiple 24 Months 
M-1 None Multiple 60 Months
M-2 None Multiple 60 Months
N-8 None Multiple 12 Months
N-9 None Multiple 12 Months
NATO 1-7 N/A N/A N/A
O-1 None Multiple 12 Months 3
O-2 None Multiple 12 Months 3
O-3 None Multiple 12 Months 3
P-1 None Multiple 12 Months 3
P-2 None Multiple 12 Months 3
P-3 None Multiple 12 Months 3
P-4 None Multiple 12 Months 3
Q-1 6 None Multiple 12 Months 3
R-1 None Multiple 6 Months 
R-2 None Multiple 6 Months
S-5 7 None One 1 Month
S-6 7 None One 1 Month
S-7 7 None One 1 Month
T-1 9 N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
T-6 None One 6 Months
TD 5 N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None One 1 Month
U-2 None One 1 Month
U-3 None One 1 Month
U-4 None One 1 Month
U-5 None One 1 Month
V-1 None Multiple 120 Months
V-2 None Multiple 120 Months 8
V-3 None Multiple 120 Months 8

Country Specific Footnotes

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

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Visa Category Footnotes

  1. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

    Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

    Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

  4. There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

    Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

    In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

    However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

  5. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

    Canadian Nationals

    Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

    Mexican Nationals

    Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

    Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

  6. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

  9. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

  12. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

 

 

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General Documents

Civil documents, except as noted below, are generally available in the Republic of Kazakhstan. On December 30, 2000, Kazakhstan joined the Hague Convention on Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, which eliminated the process of Kazakhstani officials' signature authentication and authorized certain state bodies to provide apostilles. The apostille is accepted in all countries that are parties to the Hague Convention. Documents that override an apostille need not be authenticated by an U.S. consular officer for use in the United States. In the U.S., Kazakhstani documents can be requested through the Embassy of Kazakhstan, 1401, 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20036. A replacement statement of identity is also available from local authorities where the birth certificate is unavailable.

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth Certificates

Available

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name: Birth Certificate

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Justice

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Blue, hard cover

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Ministry of Justice

Registration Criteria: The birth should be registered within three working days after child’s birth.

Procedure for Obtaining: Applications are made at the Public Service Centers (based on place of their registered residence). Documents needed are the following: an application (available online at egov.kz), national identity documents of parents, an original marriage certificate, and a birth certificate from the hospital.

Certified Copies Available: Any notary public can make a certified copy.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions:  None

Comments:  None

 

Death Certificates

Available

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name:  Death Certificate

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Justice

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: small colored document

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Ministry of Justice

Registration Criteria: Registration should occur within 1 working day after the death.

Procedure for Obtaining: Applications are submitted at the Public Service Centers. Documents needed: application, certificate from the medical institution, national identity document of deceased, military card, if available, and document proving the relationship to the deceased.

Certified Copies Available: Any public notary can make a certified copy.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage Certificates

Available

Fees: $7 USD

Document Name: Marriage Certificate

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Justice

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Blue, hard cover

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Ministry of Justice

Registration Criteria: The marriage should take place within one month after the application is submitted.   

Procedure for Obtaining: Applications can be submitted either online at egov.kz or at the Public Service Centers. Documents needed are the following: application, national identity documents for both parties, and proof of fee payment. Foreign citizens also need to provide: a certificate on marriageability, a permanent residence card, or any document allowing the applicant to reside in the country.

Certified Copies Available: Any public notary can make a certified copy.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

 

Divorce Certificates

Available

Fees: $13 USD

Document Name: Divorce Certificate

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Justice

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: small colored document

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Ministry of Justice

Registration Criteria: Ann application for a divorce certificate can be submitted only after the court decision has entered into force. If the couple does not have minor children, a court decision is not required and the application can be submitted based on mutual agreement.

Procedure for Obtaining: Applications can be submitted online at egov.kz or at Public Service Centers. Documents needed are the following: Application, national identity documents from parties, a court decision copy (if applicable), and proof of payment.

Certified Copies Available: Any public notary can make a certified copy.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Adoption Certificates

Available

Fees: Free for Kazakhstani citizens, $13 USD for non-Kazakhstani citizens.

Document Name: Adoption Certificate

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Justice

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: small colored document

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Ministry of Justice

Registration Criteria: Ann application can be submitted only after the court decision has entered into force.

Procedure for Obtaining: The application is submitted at the local Mayor’s Office (Akimat). Documents needed are the following: Application for adoption registration, identity documents, a court decision copy, a marriage certificate copy, proof of fee payment, and permanent residence card for foreigners.

Certified Copies Available: Any public notary can make a certified copy.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Identity Card

National Identity Card

Available

Fees: $1.50 USD

Document Name: National Identity Card

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Internal Affairs

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Small plastic card

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Department of Internal Affairs

Registration Criteria: Kazakhstani citizens 16 year of age or older.

Procedure for Obtaining: An application can be submitted online or at any Public Service Center. If the application is submitted at the Public Service Center, photos can be taken at the time of application submission. Documents needed are the following: A Birth certificate (if applicant is 16 or younger), or previous national identity card, and a fee payment.   

Certified Copies Available: Any public notary can make a certified copy.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Police, Court, Prison Records

Police Records

Available

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name: Certificate on Conviction

Issuing Authority: General Prosecution

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A4 paper document

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Public Service Center Specialist

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: The certificate can obtained online at egov.kz or at the Public Service Centers.

Certified Copies Available: Any public notary can make a certified copy.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments:  None

 

Court/Prison Records

Available

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name: Court Decision

Issuing Authority: Court

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: After the court process is complete; each party is issued its own original document. Duplicate copies can be obtained at the court chancery.

Certified Copies Available: Any public notary can make a certified copy.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

 

Military Records

Available

Fees: There are no fees.

Document Name: Registration Certificate/Military Ticket

Issuing Authority: Military station with jurisdiction over the place of residence

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  There is no issuing authority personnel title.

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: All 17 year old males should register with the local military station. To register, the applicant needs to submit a national identity document, address certificate, two photos three by four cm, and medical examination results which will state if the person is eligible for military service or not. All males from 18 to 27 years old who are not considered to be eligible for military service for medical reasons should be issued a Military Ticket from the military station. If the applicant is eligible for military service, the Military Ticket will be issued after military service is accomplished. 

Certified Copies Available: Any public notary can make a certified copy.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments:  None

Passports & Other Travel Documents

Types Available: Regular, Official, Diplomatic and Stateless Person Passports.

Fees: Regular passport – $54 USD

Document Name: Passport

Issuing Government Authority: Regular and Stateless Person Passports are issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Official and Diplomatic are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Regular passport has a blue hard cover, official has a dark green hard cover, and diplomatic has a black hard cover.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: Regular passport applications can be submitted online at egov.kz or at the Public Service Centers. Official and Diplomatic passports holders should apply through their employers.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Other Records

Not applicable.

Visa Issuing Posts

Post Title: U.S. Embassy in Nur-Sultan and U.S. Consulate General in Almaty

Address: U.S. Embassy Astana, 3 Rakhymzhan Koshkarbayev ave. Astana; U.S. Consulate General, 97 Zholdasbekova str., Almaty

Email: usakz@state.gov

Visa Services: Non-immigrant visas +7 727 3505703

Comments / Additional Information: None

Visa Services

The consular section in Nur-Sultan handles nonimmigrant visas, and American citizen services. The consular section in Almaty handles immigrant, nonimmigrant visas, and American citizen services. Non-iimigrant visas +7 727 3505703.

Additional Information for Reciprocity

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.