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Last Updated:
August 16, 2007 10:58
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Still Valid: November 15, 2007 23:27 EST |
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1. INTRODUCTION AND GEOGRAPHY Sections 3, 4, 5 and 7 of this Travel Report have been updated. The Republic of Kazakhstan (capital: Astana; business centre: Almaty) is located in Central Asia, bordering Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Tourist facilities are extremely limited, especially outside Almaty. The official language is Kazakh. Russian is the working language. BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS There is no Official Warning for this country. See our Current Issues page for information on Avian Influenza. OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Although Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada does not warn against travel to this country or region(s) of this country, Canadians are encouraged to register with the responsible Canadian government office due to the security situation and/or the absence of Canadian representation in this country. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form. BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. Some areas along the border with China, the provinces of Zhambyl (Gvardeiskyi village, Rossavel village, Kulzhabasy), Qaraghandy (Priozyorsk village, Gulshad village), Qyzylorda (Baikonur, Karmakshinsky, and Kazalinsky regions), and West Kazakhstan (Bokeiordinsky and Zhangalinsky regions) are closed to travellers. Government authorization is required prior to travel to these areas. Travellers should expect delays in obtaining such documents. Violent crime against foreign tourists occurs. Robberies occur on public transportation, in parks, shopping areas, open markets, and restaurants, and near major tourist hotels and nightclubs. Foreigners have been robbed by individuals posing as police officers. If approached, ask to see police credentials. Do not open your door to strangers under any circumstances. Do not carry large amounts of money or travel alone after dark. Keep a certified copy of your visa and registration with you at all times. Passports and visas should be kept in safe-keeping facilities. Do not accept food or drinks from strangers. Do not leave food or drinks unattended in bars or restaurants. Cases of drugging followed by robbery have occurred. Men posing as "meet and greet" airport facilitators lure unsuspecting foreigners into cars and demand money. Canadians should make prior arrangements with their contacts for appropriate identification upon arrival at the airport. BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the authorities of Kazakhstan and was valid on August 16, 2007. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change. It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and its consulate, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements. A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Kazakhstan. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Tourist Visa: Required Business Visa: Required Student Visa: Required A letter of invitation from a Kazakh citizen or organization is no longer required to obtain a tourist or business visa for stays of less than 30 days. Visa applications can be obtained and processed at any Kazakh diplomatic or consular office prior to your arrival in this country. Canadians travelling for business, work, or investment purposes are advised to take special care when obtaining a visa for Kazakhstan. Applicants should verify with the Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Toronto that the visa corresponds with the type of business, work, or investment activity to be undertaken in the country. Canadian business people have, in some cases, been charged under the administrative law of Kazakhstan for visa infringements and faced a sentence of up to 15 days imprisonment and subsequent deportation. Canadians are strongly encouraged to register with a Kazakh diplomatic or consular office abroad (when applying for a visa) or at the port of entry into Kazakhstan. Otherwise, they must undergo the time-consuming process of in-country registration with the local Migration Police Department and must do so within three working days of their arrival in Kazakhstan. Travellers transiting Kazakhstan who hold valid visas for other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries (including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan) require a transit visa or a regular visa. Travellers who plan to travel to both the Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan, with Almaty as their arrival and departure point, require a multi-entry visa for Kazakhstan and a visa for the Kyrgyz Republic. These travellers may be subject to lengthy entry and exit procedures. All foreigners planning to travel or reside in Kazakhstan for more than three months must provide a medical certificate of a negative test for infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) conducted no more than one month prior to registration. The certificate must be presented to OVIR within three days of arrival and must be translated and certified by a local notary and the Centre for the Prevention and Control of AIDS. The HIV test may be done abroad or locally at the Centre. Travellers arriving from or having been in transit through a country where yellow fever occurs require proof of yellow fever vaccination. A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services. Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders. Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order. Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada. BACK TO TOP 5. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address: Kazakhstan - ALMATY, Embassy of Canada Address: 34 Karasai batyr Street, Almaty, 050010, Kazakhstan Tel.: 7 (3272) 501-151 Fax: 7 (3272) 582-493 E-Mail: almat@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.international.gc.ca/canadaeuropa/kazakhstan For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Almaty and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885. BACK TO TOP 6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. Islamic practices and beliefs are closely adhered to, particularly in rural areas. Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour. Respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. Dual nationality Dual nationality is not recognized. This may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services. Canadians should travel using their Canadian passport and present themselves as Canadian citizens to foreign authorities at all times. Dual nationals may be subject to national obligations. Those affected should inquire at an embassy or a consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan regarding their status. The Department publishes a booklet entitled Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know, specifically targeted at Canadians with dual nationality. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Poor driving standards, fuel shortages, poorly lit and maintained roads, and obscure signs and regulations make driving hazardous. Driving after dark is dangerous. The Cyrillic alphabet is used on road signs. You should hire a car with a driver. Use only officially marked taxis, pre-negotiate the fare, and do not allow other passengers to ride with you. Routine and strict border controls on the road between Almaty and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, have been implemented, making travel in this region more difficult. Strict adherence to visa regulations is essential. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required. Unannounced delays and cancellations of flights are common in winter, due to poor weather conditions. Reservations on regional airlines are not always respected. Air Astana is recommended for domestic flights. Travellers should avoid other domestic carriers due to safety concerns. The economy is primarily cash-based. The official currency is the tenge (KZT). Traveller's cheques are rarely accepted outside large hotels catering to foreigners. Credit cards become more and more prevalent in large urban centers. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. It is illegal to use foreign currency in financial transactions. U.S. dollars can be exchanged at authorized currency exchanges. All U.S. dollar bills must have been issued after 1995 and be in good condition. ABM services are available in Almaty and Astana. Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine ( BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE Kazakhstan is located in an active seismic zone. Canadians should know the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in Almaty in the event of an emergency. BACK TO TOP 9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site. The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to closely monitor and report on occurrences of avian influenza A (H5N1), or "bird flu", in humans and in birds. Further information on avian influenza A (H5N1) and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site. For more information, see our Current Issues on Avian Influenza. The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION Reports indicate that radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with former defence industries and test ranges are found throughout the country and pose health risks. Industrial pollution is severe in some cities. Consumption of untreated water and water-based foods greatly increases your chance of illness. Do not drink tap water. Travellers should drink only bottled water, peel all fruits and vegetables, and avoid undercooked meat, dairy products, and most food sold in the streets. Medical facilities throughout Kazakhstan are scarce and the quality of care is below Western standards. Medical clinics often have poor hygiene standards and lack basic drugs and equipment. Travellers should carry basic medical supplies such as a well-stocked first aid kit and prescription medicine. BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal. Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government. BACK TO TOP 12. ANNEX N/A BACK TO TOP |
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