visa requirements and airlines, almaty
Replies: 3 - Last Post: Jun 29, 2012 8:45 AM Last Post By: anillos_de_satu...
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visa requirements and airlines, almaty
Hi,We are going to Krygyzstan. Our flight goes from Seattle to Almaty, then we hope to catch a flight from Almaty to Bishkek. We are flying to Bishkek to avoid having to get a double entry visa for Kazakhstan plus a single entry to Kyrgyzstan.
What airlines fly between Almaty and Bishkek?
Can we stay overnight in Almaty without a Kazakhstan visa if we have an airline ticket showing our flight to Bishkek?
How difficult is it to get a visa for Kazakhstan from the US? Can you get one at the airport in Almaty, or will I have to go through the embassy in the US?
How difficult is it to get a visa for Kyrgyzstan if we do not fly into Bishkek, but rather take the bus from Almaty to Bishkek?
Thanks for your help,
Lynn
1
Flight schedules: http://www.concept.kg/eng/business_travel/airtickets/schedule_bishkek/
Can we stay overnight in Almaty without a Kazakhstan visa if we have an airline ticket showing our flight to Bishkek?
You can get a transit visa at Almaty airport if you show onward air or rail tickets. You are also supposed to have the visa for the next country, but if you fly to Bishkek you can pick one up on arrival at Manas airport.
See details (use control-F to search for 'transit') at:
http://portal.mfa.kz/portal/page/portal/mfa/en/content/consular/advisory
http://portal.mfa.kz/portal/page/portal/mfa/en/content/consular/visa_info
How difficult is it to get a visa for Kazakhstan from the US? Can you get one at the airport in Almaty, or will I have to go through the embassy in the US?
Do a search of TT for precise details of applying in the US, but getting a KZ visa is easy in most countries. You just write a personal letter to accompany your application and pay the fee (varies from $30-50 for a 30-day visa). Processing takes 3-5 days, depending on the consulate.
You can get a tourist visa on arrival at Almaty but for this you have to pay a travel agent to issue a letter of introduction (LOI) and the total cost will head upwards of $150. No real advantage unless you're out of other options. The KZ travel agency Stantours has done this for other posters in recent times. There are no visas available at land borders.
How difficult is it to get a visa for Kyrgyzstan if we do not fly into Bishkek, but rather take the bus from Almaty to Bishkek?
Interesting proposition. In theory, you can cross the border to KG using a KZ visa with a return entry. No one has reported crossing to KG with a KZ visa and then applying for a visa in KG. You are a brave adventurer! Please report on the outcome.
2
Google "Timatic" if you wish to see the source of the following information. Call Lufthansa (or Turkish or whatever carrier you are flying) to triple check that they will let you on the plane in Seattle without a Kazakh visa.National USA (US) /Transit Kazakhstan (KZ)
Destination Kyrgyzstan (KG)
ALSO CHECK DESTINATION INFORMATION BELOW
Kazakhstan (KZ)
TWOV (Transit Without Visa):
Visa required, except for Holders of onward tickets for a max.
time of 24 hours.
Additional Information:
- Holders of a transit visa must also hold documents required
Warning:
- Holders of a transit visa are required to also hold onward
Kyrgyzstan (KG)
Passport required.
- Passport and/or passport replacing documents must be valid
Visa Issuance:
Visa required, except for Nationals of USA can obtain a visa
on arrival for a max. stay of 1 month. Fee: varies between USD
40.- and USD 100.-.
Timaticweb Version 1.3
27 June 2012
3
What airlines fly between Almaty and Bishkek?As the first link provided by emmef in #1 shows, Air Astana and Avia Traffic Company make that route.
I don't know your travel plans but, just in case it could be useful for you, take a look here at the info provided by the Kyrgyz embassy in Belgium for tourists visiting Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan (you should confirm it's also valid for US passport holders though).
