Asia and Oceania

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• There have been human cases of the H1N1 virus (swine flu) reported in Kazakhstan (source: Kazakh Chief Public Health Prosecutor). All international airports now operate heat sensors (to detect abnormal body temperatures) on arrival. Passengers arriving on flights from designated high-risk countries, of which the United Kingdom is one, are automatically screened. Any passengers displaying symptoms of (A) H1N1 may be held in quarantine facilities located at international airports for up to 24 hours before being taken to a local hospital under the supervision of the Kazakh Sanitary-Epidemiological Centre for further tests and treatment. If quarantined, or isolated for health reasons British nationals are advised to contact the British Embassy.
  
  
• The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its pandemic threat alert phase to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any further developments and advice. There is a dedicated swine flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on pandemic flu is available on the UK Department of Health website.
  
  
• There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• You may travel to most places in Kazakhstan, but travel to any 'closed territories' or secure areas require advance permission from the relevant authorities. Some military/restricted areas are not clearly marked so care should be taken when travelling away from normal routes. See the entry requirements section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• With the exception of Air Astana Airlines, all Kazakh airlines are refused permission to operate services to the EU because they do not comply with internationally accepted safety requirements. We recommend that you avoid flying with the airlines subject to the EU operating ban. See the air travel section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• You should obtain your visa in advance of your visit and ensure it covers the entire duration of your stay. See the entry requirements section of this travel advice for more details.
  
  
• Most visits to Kazakhstan are trouble-free. However, you should be aware that there have been a number of criminal incidents involving expatriates in Kazakhstan. 34 British nationals required consular assistance in Kazakhstan in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident, deaths (3 cases), hospitalisations (0 cases). and arrests, for a variety of offences (18 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (10 cases). Local regulations require you to carry your original passport at all times. See the Crime section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the general (insurance) section of this advice and travel insurance for more details. Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.