Kazakhstan tightens migration laws to administer border crossings

The Government of Kazakhstan has changed the rules for the entry and stay of foreigners in the republic. According to the new regulation, which will come into effect on January 27, citizens of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member countries, including Russians, can stay in Kazakhstan for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.

Previously, the so-called "visarun" practice was ruling in the republic, meaning the crossing of the border of the state to renew the terms of legal stay. Thanks to this, migrants who were reaching the end of their stay in the country, could leave Kazakhstan and return back and restart the timer. 

The stay is now limited to 90 calendar days per period of 180 calendar days. If this period is exceeded, a person that has left the country will be refused entry. Holders of a temporary residence permit are not subject to the new rules.

In November 2022, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan proposed to give up the "visarun" practice. Changes to migration rules had been proposed in order to control the entry of immigrants into the country and to combat irregular migration.

In 2022, more than 5.6 million foreigners entered Kazakhstan. According to  Aslan Atalykov, Chairman of the Migration Service Committee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic, 2.9 million of them were Russians.

Only in September, 2022, the month Russia announced a military mobilization among the population, 406,000 Russians entered the country. He noted that almost 150,000 Russians who had arrived in Kazakhstan since the end of September have remained in the republic. Of these, 36,000 received temporary residence permits.