Category "A" covers visas for those connected with the state, international organisations or investment in Kazakhstan. For business, investor visas A5 and A6 matter most here — they grant a long stay and a simplified procedure.
What category A consists of
- Diplomatic (A1, A2) — for heads of state and government, members of parliaments, diplomats and their family members. Single-entry A1/A2 — up to 90 days; multiple-entry A1 — up to 1 year, A2 — up to 180 days.
- Official (A3, A4) — for members of official delegations, accredited media (subject to agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), military personnel on official business, and staff of international organisations. Single-entry — up to 90 days; multiple-entry A3 — up to 1 year (for cosmonauts — up to 3 years), A4 — up to 180 days.
- Investor (A5) — for heads and their deputies of companies carrying out investment activity in Kazakhstan, as well as investors under the AIFC investment tax residency programme and their family members. Single-entry — up to 90 days, multiple-entry — up to 5 years.
- Investor (A6) — for foreign entrepreneurs who have invested more than USD 300,000 in Kazakhstan's economy. Multiple-entry — up to 10 years, issued by a foreign mission upon invitation. An important benefit: no interview is conducted; family members are issued a visa for the duration of the principal holder's visa (without the right to work or to engage in religious activity).
How a category A visa is obtained — the stages
- Ground and invitation. Most A visas require an invitation (from a government body, company or international organisation) or proof of investment. For A6 — proof of investment exceeding USD 300,000.
- Approval of the invitation through the authorised bodies (Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Ministry of Internal Affairs) and the Visa and Migration Portal vmp.gov.kz.
- Filing the documents at a Kazakhstan foreign mission or electronically, where provided for.
- Issuance of the visa — single- or multiple-entry, depending on the subcategory.
- After entry — if necessary, registration/notification of the migration service by the host party.
Indicative document checklist
The exact list depends on the subcategory and the foreign mission:
- a valid national/diplomatic/official passport;
- a visa application form;
- an invitation or proof of the ground (for A5/A6 — documents on investment/position);
- photographs; proof of fee payment (if charged);
- for family members — documents proving the family relationship.
Timelines are not officially fixed in strict terms — allow a buffer. For A6 the process is simplified (no interview).
Related materials: Which visa to choose for business · Category B and C visas · Relocating a business to Kazakhstan.
This material is for reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Rules, deadlines and rates change — before acting, verify against primary sources (egov.kz, adilet.zan.kz, vmp.gov.kz) or consult the lawyers of SHANYRAQ Legal.