Business visas B1, B2 and B3 for Kazakhstan: the differences, who invites and which one to choose

Kazakhstan's business visas carry the letter B and a number. Categories B1, B2 and B3 follow a similar procedure but differ in the purpose of the trip — and the purpose is exactly what is checked at issue and during inspections inside the country. Choosing the wrong category ends either in a refusal or in a claim of "activity inconsistent with the visa purpose".

Three categories — three tasks

All three are issued on the invitation of a Kazakhstan party under the public service sub-type "invitation for a business trip".

Who invites and how

The inviting party is a legal entity registered in Kazakhstan. It files a request through the territorial police (migration service), the Government for Citizens corporation or the visa and migration portal vmp.gov.kz with a digital signature.

Timelines under the Rules:

• the invitation is filed no earlier than 90 calendar days and no later than 5 working days before the expected entry;
• review — up to 3 working days electronically, up to 5 on paper;
• KNB clearance — up to 3 working days, extendable to 30 calendar days where necessary;
• visa issue at a consulate or the MIA — up to 5 working days.

From 2026 a consular fee is charged for the invitation — 0.5 MCI per invited person; visa fees depend on the number of entries and the term.

Single or multiple, consulate or online

Kazakhstan consulates abroad issue all three categories. Inside the country the MIA issues B3 (and B2 for AIFC participants and bodies); at international airports — B1, B2, B3.

Single-entry electronic visas B1, B2 and B3 are issued via the visa and migration portal on the basis of an invitation, without a consulate visit. The list of eligible countries is approved separately; multiple-entry visas still go through a consulate.

A multiple-entry business visa suits those who regularly visit the same partner. The number of entries is fixed at issue: for B categories a single-entry visa cannot be converted to multiple-entry on extension.

Extension and change of category

A B2 visa is extended once. The extension request is filed by the same inviting party no earlier than 30 and no later than 5 working days before expiry. The category does not change on extension; a switch, for example from B3 to a C3 work visa, is allowed only in the cases the Rules expressly provide (for B3 it is possible — once a work permit is obtained).

What you cannot do on a business visa

• Be employed. Employment requires a C3 visa and an employer's work permit. The exception is B2, where performing technical work under a contract is the visa purpose.
• Found a company. That requires business immigrant status — a C5 visa.
• Stay past expiry. Overstaying is punished under Article 517 of the Administrative Code: a warning up to 3 days, then fines of 10–25 MCI or expulsion.

Activity inconsistent with the visa purpose is a separate offence, so "arrive on B1 and work for a month" is a bad idea for both the employee and the company.

Visa-free countries: when a business visa is still needed

Citizens of the states in paragraph 17 of Decree No. 148 (USA, EU, UK, Japan, Korea and others) enter visa-free for 30 days. If the business trip needs more time, the internal affairs bodies issue them a single-entry business visa of up to 30 days on an application to extend the stay. The alternative is a multiple-entry B visa obtained at a consulate in advance.

Visa Navigator helps choose the category that matches the real purpose, prepares the invitation from the Kazakhstan party, supports the visa at the consulate or online and tracks extension deadlines. Decisions are taken by the MFA and consulates; we are responsible for a correct package. See the B1, B2 and B3 visa pages.

This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. Rules and practice change — verify the current requirements as of the date you apply.