University welcomes international citizens coming to Kazakhstan for study.
Before applying for a visa, all candidates must be officially admitted to an academic program at the university.

• Once a student receives the Letter of Acceptance, SDU University provides the necessary supporting documents required to apply for a student visa.
• The passport and visa information provided in this profile applies to holders of ordinary passports. Holders of diplomatic, official, special, or service passports should note that different rules and regulations may apply to them under the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

❗ Important Note

Upon arrival in Kazakhstan, all international students must register with the immigration authorities within three (3) working days. Failure to comply with immigration procedures may result in an administrative fine and deportation to the country of origin. Repeated violations may lead to serious legal consequences.

• All visitors to Kazakhstan must hold a passport that is valid for at least three (3) months beyond the expiration date of the visa and contains at least two blank pages for visa stamps.
• If you are replacing an expired passport, please provide the passport officer with both your newly issued passport and your old expired passport for registration with the Migration Police.
  Please remember that it is in your best interest to submit the required documents as early as possible to avoid any registration issues.

The Legal Department will submit the documents to the Migration Police immediately after signing the Educational Service Agreement with SDU University. Once the invitation letter is ready, a copy will be sent to you via email. After receiving your invitation letter, please carefully check the accuracy of all your personal information.
If any information in the invitation letter does not match your passport or is otherwise incorrect, please contact the Legal Department immediately.

Step 1:

To obtain an invitation letter, international students must provide the following documents:

• Invitation form for visa support (downloadable from the university’s website);
• Copy of the passport (first page).

Processing time for the visa invitation letter: 5–7 working days.

Step 2:

After receiving the invitation letter, the applicant is required to submit all necessary documents to the Embassy or Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan abroad, where he or she plans to obtain the visa in person. The applicant is personally responsible for verifying the list of required documents posted on the official website of the Embassy or Consulate of Kazakhstan.

The following documents are usually required:

• Copy of the invitation letter for visa issuance;
• Passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond the validity period of the requested visa and containing at least 2 blank pages for visa stamps);
• Copy of the passport (first page);
• Completed visa application form (available on the official website of the Embassy/Consulate of Kazakhstan);
• One (1) passport-size photo (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm);
• Visa fee (as specified by the Embassy/Consulate).

Processing time for the visa: 5 working days.

NOTE: Additional documents may be requested at the discretion of the Consulate.

Supporting documents are only one of several factors that a consular officer will consider during the visa interview. Consular officers review each application individually, taking into account professional, social, cultural, and other factors when making their decision. They may also consider your specific intentions, family situation, long-term goals, and future prospects in your country of residence. Each case is reviewed carefully and receives full attention in accordance with the law.

WARNING: Do not submit false documents.
Fraud or misrepresentation may result in permanent ineligibility for obtaining a visa. If you are concerned about confidentiality, you may bring your documents to the Embassy/Consulate of Kazakhstan in a sealed envelope. The Embassy/Consulate of Kazakhstan will not share your information with anyone and will maintain strict confidentiality of your documents.

 IMPORTANT: To extend your visa in the Republic of Kazakhstan before it expires, please submit the following documents to the Legal Department no earlier than 30 (thirty) working days and no later than 14 (fourteen) working days before your current visa expiration date:

• Passport
• Copy of passport (first page)
• One (1) photo (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm)
  
  
• Dactyloscopy is the process of submitting fingerprints at the Migration Police office. This is a mandatory procedure for all foreign citizens residing in Kazakhstan for an extended period.
  (Dactyloscopy must be completed at the Migration Police department according to your place of residence.)
• Visa fee (Payment can be made with the assistance of office staff)

• Your passport must be registered with the Migration Police after each arrival in Kazakhstan, even if the validity period of your visa covers your entire stay in the country.
• In case of any change of residential address, foreign staff members must immediately inform their HR manager or the staff of the relevant department.
• Currently, notification of arrival is mandatory for all foreign nationals, without exception - including citizens of Eurasian Customs Union countries.
• Registration documents will not be accepted without a proper Notification of Arrival.
• Citizens of the Russian Federation, Armenia, Mongolia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and the Kyrgyz Republic are allowed to stay in Kazakhstan for up to 90 days.

We are always ready to answer your questions and assist you in resolving any issues. Please use the contact information provided below:

Office hours: Monday – Friday
Time: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Phone: +7 (705) 188-63-30
Address: Kaskelen city, Abуlai Khan Street 1/1, Room B203
E-mail: nurgul.omirzak@sdu.edu.kz; baktiyar.shakenov@sdu.edu.kz

• How early should I apply for a student visa?
  It is recommended that you apply for a student visa as soon as you receive the registration form from SDU University.
   However, a student visa can be issued no earlier than 90 days before the start date indicated in your invitation letter.
• Do all visa applicants need to appear in person at the Embassy/Consulate of Kazakhstan for an interview?
  Yes, applicants are generally required to appear in person.
• I have a visa that is about to expire and would like to extend it. Do I need to go through the entire visa application process again?
  Each visa application is a separate process.
   You must apply in the standard manner, even if you previously held a visa or your current visa is still valid.
• My passport has expired, but my Kazakhstan visa is still valid. Do I need to apply for a new visa?
  If your visa is still valid and has not been canceled or damaged, you can travel with both passports together (old and new), provided that the purpose of your travel matches your current visa.
   Your name and personal details must be identical in both passports (unless a name change occurred due to marriage), and both passports must be of the same nationality and type.
• I have no blank pages left in my passport, but my Kazakhstan visa is still valid. Do I need to apply for a new visa?
  If your visa remains valid and undamaged, you can travel with both passports together (old and new), as long as your travel purpose matches your current visa. The name and personal details must match in both passports (except in case of a name change due to marriage), and both passports must be from the same country and type.
• I have dual citizenship. Which passport should I use to travel to the Republic of Kazakhstan?
  You may apply using either citizenship you prefer, but you must list all nationalities in your visa application form submitted to the Embassy/Consulate of Kazakhstan.
   Individuals with dual citizenship must enter and exit Kazakhstan using only one passport.
• How can I read and understand my visa?
  Once you receive your visa, make sure that all personal information on the visa is correct.
   If any information on your visa does not match your passport or contains an error, please contact the visa-issuing authority (the Embassy or Consulate of Kazakhstan) immediately.
• How far in advance should I contact the Legal Department to extend my visa?
  You must contact the Legal Department no less than 30 working days and no later than 14 working days before the expiration date of your current visa.