Kazakhstan

Carry original ID such as your driving licence or passport at all times. Police patrolling the streets may ask for your ID, and copies are not acceptable. You need to show your original ID to enter state buildings.

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. Cafés and restaurants may amend their menus and be busy around fast-breaking (‘Iftar’). Areas around mosques are also likely to be busy around prayer times. Take particular care not to offend religious sensitivities at this time.

  The drinking age in Kazakhstan is 18. However, it is illegal to sell alcohol to someone aged 20 or under. You may be refused the sale of alcohol if you are unable to present a valid proof of age ID on request.

Shops are not allowed to sell alcohol between 11pm and 8am. Alcoholic drinks which have an alcohol content level of more than 30% cannot be sold in shops between 9pm and 12 noon. Bars, restaurants and cafés are not covered by this rule.

If police find you drinking alcohol in the street, or if you appear to be drunk, they can take you to a police station and issue you with a fine or detain you in a police cell overnight.

Smoking and vaping are illegal in and near to:

• schools and playgrounds
• healthcare facilities
• public places – museums, libraries, cinemas, sport centres, public transport, nightclubs, airports, rail stations and underpasses
• cars with children travelling

The fine for smoking in an unauthorised place is around £90, and more if it’s a repeat offence. 

It is illegal to sell, distribute, import or produce smokeless cigarettes, e-cigarettes (vapes), or e-liquid for e-cigarettes. You could get a fine or a prison sentence of up to 2 years.

Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through the airport.

You could face a lengthy prison sentence:

• for possession, storing and transportation of drugs with distribution purposes – 5 to 8 years
• for possession, storing and transportation of drugs with distribution purposes in large amounts – 6 to 10 years
• for advertising drugs – up to 3 years in prison, and 3 to 6 years if using social media

Prison conditions are basic.

Airports in Kazakhstan have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.

It’s illegal to post images or comments on social media that show disrespect towards religion, culture or national symbols. Take particular care with images that show the Kazakh flag. Sharing or publishing images that the authorities consider to be insulting risks a fine or a prison sentence.

There are restrictions on where you can take photos or videos, especially near military sites, border areas, airports and some official buildings. Restrictions may be in force despite a lack of warning signs. Taking photographs of sensitive sites risks confiscation of your equipment. 

Some large shops and supermarkets do not allow photography.

You can bring a drone to Kazakhstan without a licence. However, you risk a fine, detention and the confiscation of your drone if you operate a drone without a licence.

Apply for a drone licence from the Civil Aviation Committee. You should include technical characteristics of the drone and details of planned use (when, where and how long). See local regulations on drone licensing requirements (in Russian).

Only change money at banks or officially authorised currency exchanges. You will be required to present your passport for identification.  

Official exchange booths may not accept damaged or marked bank notes, or US dollars issued before 2013.   

Depending on your bank, you may be able to withdraw cash in Kazakhstani tenge (KZT) from ATMs using an international debit or credit card. Availability and fees may vary, so it is advisable to check with your bank before travelling.

Same-sex sexual activity is not illegal in Kazakhstan. However, on 30 December 2025, legislation was introduced prohibiting the ‘promotion’ or dissemination of information about non-traditional sexual orientation. Perceived breaches of this law may result in administrative penalties, including fines, detention, and deportation.  

Public acceptance of LGBT+ people and identities in Kazakhstan is limited, especially outside major cities. There is an increased risk of discrimination or harassment against individuals thought to be part of the LGBT+ community, or perceived to be supporting their rights.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

You are not allowed to export:

• art or antiques that have historical, cultural or scientific value
• gold, precious stones or rare minerals
• rare specimens of flora or animals

Take local expert advice before making any such purchase.

Wildfires affected forests in east Kazakhstan in 2023. Regions in the Kazakh steppe can also be affected by grass fires. Take local advice.

Widespread flooding affected much of northern and western Kazakhstan in April 2024. Take local advice about road closures and transport disruption caused by flooding.

Mudslides and landslides can occur in the mountain areas of south-east Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan has several areas which are at high risk of earthquakes. Almaty is in an active seismic zone.

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.