VISA
A visa is required for British citizens to enter Kazakhstan. You can now apply for a single-entry tourist visa valid for one month without the need of a ‘letter of invitation’ (LOI). This also applies to residents of several other European countries. Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for details – www.mfa.kz. (Look under ‘Consular Information’)
To receive a visa you will need to send your passport, which should be valid for at least six months beyond the dates of the requested visa, a passport-size photo, a letter from yourself explaining the purpose of your visit, a completed application form and the visa fee.
Please note that your passport should have at least one full empty page on which the visa can be affixed:
Kazakhstan Embassy,
33 Thurloe Square,
London
SW7 2SD
Telephone: 020 7581 4646
London@kazakhstan-embassy.org.uk
We advise that you send all your documents in a Special Delivery or Registered Post envelope and also include a stamped, addressed Special Delivery or Registered Post envelope for the safe return of your passport.
If you’ve decided to travel to the game at the last minute and don’t have a visa, don’t panic. You can get a visa on arrival if you arrive into any of the following airports: Astana, Almaty, Atyrau, Uralsk and Ust-Kamenogorsk. The visa can only be issued with a LOI, same as above – written by yourself outlining the purpose of your visit, submitted prior to your departure to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Department at the address above. Once they have received your LOI they will issue you with a registration number. You can also do this through a local tour operator for a fee, making sure they send you the registration number before your departure.
On arrival you should go to the visa counter at the airport. Please note that the registration number is essential, if you do not have a registration number you will NOT be allowed into the country. At the time of research, the price for a one-month single-entry visa costs £27.
Alternatively, for a fee, you could use a reputable agency. RUVisa Limited is one of a number of companies who can arrange your visa and accommodation. Visa prices are from £69 per application and for group applications of three or more they will offer a discount of £59 per application. They accept cash, cheque, postal order or credit/debit card. Credit/debit card payments can be made over the phone. There is a 2% surcharge for credit card payments (there is no surcharge for debit cards). For further information or assistance email fsf@ruvisa.co.uk or call 0131 662 0930 or 020 7221 7779.
If travelling with children they must have their own passport with a photograph and own visa
On arrival, you will need to fill out a migration card. These are sometimes issued on your flight. The migration card will be stamped at the border as well as your passport. Keep the card safe as you will need to produce it again on your departure.
Airport customs: It is advisable to declare on a customs declaration form any expensive items of computer and/or photographic equipment etc, especially if they look new, to avoid the risk that you may be asked to pay duty on these items on departure.
KAZAKHSTAN CONTACT DETAILS
Country Dialling Code: Country code is 00 7
To dial the UK when you are in Kazakhstan you need to dial Kazakhstan’s international access code, which is 8, followed by a pause until you hear the tone, then dial 10, and then the country code for the UK which is 44
Mobile phone coverage is good in most places and most internationally recognised mobile phone companies are accessible. You can purchase a SIM card from any of the mobile-phone shops, which is worth considering if you are going to be in Kazakhstan for a few days and you make lots of calls or texts.
Alternatively, you can buy phone-cards from kiosks for the public phones. You insert the card into the phone and then dial your number. Once you are connected, you have to press a button (usually with a ‘lips’ symbol on) to speak
You can also make calls home from any offices of the state communications company, Kazakhtelecom: pay at the counter, and then wait to be summoned to a booth to make your call.
Look for ‘Peregovorny Punkt’ signs to locate public phone offices.
Emergency Numbers:
Police 02
Ambulance 03
Fire Brigade 01
BRITISH EMBASSY
The British Embassy is located in Astana, but consular and visa work for Kazakhstan is undertaken at the Embassy Office in Almaty.
In Astana: The British Embassy, 6th Floor, 62 Kosmonavtov Street, Chubary District, Astana
Tel: (+7) 172 556200
Fax: (+7) 172 556211
AlmatyVisaGeneral@fco.gov.uk
In Almaty: The British Embassy, 9th Floor, Samal Towers, 97 Zholdasbekov Street, Almaty
Tel: (+7) 27 250 6191
Fax: (+7) 27 250 7962
Website: www.britishembassy.kz
TOURIST INFORMATION
There are no actual tourist offices in Kazakhstan, but there is a Central Asia Tourism booth at Almaty Airport.
MONEY
Cash - Major Kazakhstan banks include Kazkommertsbank, Bank Turan Alem and Halyk Bank. The main branch of Kazkommersbank is on Bayseyitova and is open 9am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-7pm Mon - Fri and 9am-3.30pm on Sat. At the time of writing (June 2009) there are around KZT250 to the pound, with some variation from exchange to exchange.
ATMs are widely available (usually called bankomats), and can usually be found at shopping malls, outside major banks and large train stations, bus terminals and other public areas. Most ATMs, once you have inserted your card, will give you a choice of languages including English
The use of credit cards is not as widespread as in England – larger hotels, restaurants and shops are likely to accept them. Visa is the most widely accepted of cards but do not rely on paying for things on your plastic as, although places may display signs that they accept cards, it doesn’t always mean that they do. There is often a small surcharge for using your credit card.
Banking Hours are generally Mon-Fri 9am – 6pm with most branches closing for lunch between the hours of 1pm – 2pm.
Exchange offices (named ‘Obmen Valyuty’) are common on most main streets. Avoid kiosks in very public places such as Bazaars to minimise the risk of theft.
Not all banks will change travellers’ cheques but the banks mentioned above should do without any problem. Banks usually charge a 2% fee. US dollar cheques are the easiest to change. ATMs are the best way of getting money. Remember that when you are exchanging money you will need to bring your passport with you. We strongly advise that you do not exchange money in the street as it is illegal and you are also more likely to be ripped off.
Tipping
In restaurants, a 10% service charge is usually added to the bill, so there is no need to add extra. It is at your own discretion whether you tip taxi drivers and bar staff or not.not
VOLTAGE
Local voltage is 220AC (50Hz) – continental adaptors must be used, and should be purchased in the UK.
HEALTH
Pharmacies (pronounced därihana) in the main cities are usually well equipped with everyday essentials, but it would be worth packing one or two basic medicines such as oral rehydration salts. Check the Free Lions special travel page ‘Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush!’ which gives details of basic first-aid and health items worth taking with you when you travel.
You should ensure that your travel insurance covers you for medical expenses, including for possible medical evacuation
Disease and infection are frequent during the summer months, so observe good hygiene such as hand-washing. Use only bottled water, even for cleaning your teeth.
If you do become ill, make sure you take plenty of fluids and take plenty of rest. If your symptoms are becoming worse over time seek medical health.
Alai on the corner of Furmanov & Gogol is a 24 hr pharmacy.
Intermational SOS, 11 Lugansky, is an international-standard clinic with 24hr emergency service, but is rather expensive. Tel: (+7) 258 1911
SAFETY
General travel safety
Astana is a pretty safe city, but you should still exercise the usual precautions.
The most common of crimes occur in busy public places or at night: people robbed in taxis or coming out of bars and nightclubs or theft by prostitutes. Robberies have also been known to take place on trains, so if you are traveling at night ensure you keep your carriage locked.
We also advise not to carry too much cash around with you as police harassment is not uncommon. They request to see your documents and then demand payment for the return of your documents.
Be wary of the various money scams that most tourists fall victim to.
Possession and use of drugs is strictly illegal and the penalties could be a hefty prison sentence.
Terrorism: There is an underlying threat of terrorism. Attacks could be random, including places frequented by tourists.
For further information visit the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website at www.fco.gov.uk
CUSTOMS
Local regulations require you to carry photo ID with you at all times. We advise that you carry a copy of your passport with you.
PHOTOGRAPHY
It is worth remembering that photographing military and governmental establishments may cause problems. Notices maybe, but not always, displayed so caution is advised
CLIMATE
Kazakhstan has a continental climate. Average temperatures for June are low 11°C (51°F) to a high 25°C (77°F).
PHRASES & SIGNS
Each word or phrase is followed by a pronunciation equivalent:
- Hello – Salamatsiz ba
- Goodbye – Saw boliñiz
- Yes – Ïä
- No – Joq
- Thank You – Rahmet
- Help! – Kömek!
- Call a doctor! – Därigerge telefon aliñiz!
- Do you speak English? – aghylshynsa bilesiz be?
LANGUAGE(S)
The official language is Kazakh. Russian is also recognised. Both languages use the Cyrillic alphabet.
TIME
Kazakhstan is 5 hours ahead of the UK.
