COVID-19: State of emergency lifted, foreign visitor relief measures

IMPACT – HIGH

Kazakhstan has lifted its national state of emergency and implemented several measures to provide relief to foreign visitors.

Key points:

• The state of emergency was lifted on May 11.
• Foreign nationals who were staying in the country during the state of emergency but were unable to leave because of conditions beyond their control are not liable for violating their stay terms.
• Following the end of the state of emergency, the government granted two months for foreigners in the country to settle their legal status. During this two-month period, foreigners will not be sanctioned for violating the terms of their stays. They are also free to leave Kazakhstan until July 10. Processing exit documents at the migration service is not necessary during this period.
• Foreigners in the country have the right to replace expired documents or extend their stay periods, if they are planning to remain, but must do so by July 10.
• After the two-month period has ended, effective July 11, foreigners who are still in the country who have not renewed their period of stay, will be liable.
• Host entities can request extensions from the migration service for a work permit, general power of attorney, a labor agreement, a contract for services provided, and other documents, like a labor patent.
• Appropriate visas or temporary residence permits will be granted by the migration service.

Analysis & Comments: The lifting of the national state of emergency and the relief measures for foreign visitors will impact the movement of people into and out of Kazakhstan. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

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