Kazakhstan Building a Digital Fence Along the Border with russia

Kazakhstan is finally shattering the kremlin’s myth of unshakable Eurasian integration and “eternal friendship” between moscow and Astana. New entry rules for russian citizens show how relations between the two countries have changed: russians will have to pay for the right to enter Kazakhstan, and moscow cannot force Astana to give up these rules.

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed amendments to the migration law. Starting November 30, 2026, citizens of the rf entering by land through major border crossings will be required to obtain a paid electronic permit, QazETA, in advance. Applications must be submitted at least 72 hours in advance. The permit will cost 3,900 tenge – about EUR 7.3. Obtaining the permit directly at the border will cost 7,600 tenge – about EUR 14.3. Failure to present a permit will result in deportation.

The system will initially be implemented at airports and, by mid-December, will also be in place on international railway routes and at seaports. russians will be required to create a digital profile containing biometric data under the supervision of Kazakhstan’s security services.

The permit will be valid for 180 days, but the maximum stay in Kazakhstan will be 90 days. For Astana, this is also a good way to profit from russians who are leaving russia out of fear of mobilization, the war, and the “special military operation”-phobia. After the full-scale invasion began, Kazakhstan became one of the destinations for russians seeking opportunities to leave, work, or do business outside of russia. Now, this influx will generate direct revenue for Kazakhstan.

The process isn’t limited to Kazakhstan. At a meeting of Central Asian leaders and Azerbaijan in Cholpon-Ata, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov proposed creating a single tourist visa for foreigners. For the region, this means more autonomy and less dependence on russian regulations.