Kazakhstan

Recommended Vaccinations For Kazakhstan

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine

Travellers whose planned outdoor activities put them at risk ( i.e., exposure to ticks in areas of vegetation such as gardens, parks, forest fringes, meadows, and marshes) should consider this vaccine. This vaccine is only available in Europe.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk from coming in close contact with infected persons or for unvaccinated, children under 16 years of age, who are going to live in Kazakhstan for more than 3 months.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Recommended Medications For Kazakhstan

There are no recommendations for Kazakhstan at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Kazakhstan

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Kazakhstan through contaminated food or water. 

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Kazakhstan.

For Some Travellers

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in this country through specific insect, bug or tick bites or by coming in close contact with a person or animal infected with this disease. Travellers involved in activities like hiking, camping, working with animals, and visiting farms and forested areas are at a higher risk. There are no vaccinations (or medications) to prevent Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis occurs sporadically in southern rural Kazakhstan.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to Kazakhstan are at risk for tuberculosis, including multi-drug resistant tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis

There is a risk of tick-borne encephalitis in some areas of the country below 1,400 meters. The areas mainly affected are reported to be in the east of the country, the Almaty province and the Sandyktau district of Akmola region. The transmission season varies, however, ticks are most active during early spring to late autumn (March to November).

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Kazakhstan, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Kazakhstan

Personal Safety

Kazakhstan is generally safe for visitors. Violent crime against foreigners is uncommon, though petty crime such as pickpocketing occurs in crowded areas, markets, public transport, and tourist sites in Almaty and Astana. Residential burglaries affecting foreigners have been reported, particularly in housing areas known to accommodate expats. Crime rates decreased in 2025, with an 11% drop in criminal cases from January 2024 to January 2025. Muggings happen mainly at night near bars and nightclubs in cities like Almaty, Astana, and Atyrau. Walking alone after dark in unfamiliar neighborhoods poses risks. Synthetic drug use and trafficking in urban areas can fuel street crime. Scams targeting tourists include unlicensed taxi drivers overcharging at airports, fake police demanding bribes, and lost wallet ploys. Police corruption exists, with traffic police sometimes requesting bribes from drivers, especially foreigners. During the January 2022 unrest, 227 people died during violent protests and government crackdowns, though the situation has since stabilized. The U.S. and Canadian governments assign Kazakhstan their lowest risk level (Level 1), indicating normal precautions suffice. Major travel advisory bodies recommend exercising normal safety precautions throughout the country.

Extreme Violence

Terrorism in Kazakhstan is possible but attacks are rare and not typically aimed at tourists. The government disrupted and prevented two terrorist attacks in 2023, according to official reports. Terrorist groups have historically targeted civilians in restaurants and nightclubs, though no terrorist incidents were reported in 2019 or 2020. An extremist element exists in and around Kazakhstan. In 2016, militants in Aktobe stormed a gun store and attacked a National Guard barracks, killing five civilians and three National Guard members. A 2016 attack in Almaty saw a lone gunman kill eight law enforcement officials and two civilians. The government maintains comprehensive counterterrorism legal frameworks and prevented 3,702 foreign citizens involved in terrorism or religious extremism from entering the country in 2023. Between 2019 and 2022, Kazakhstan repatriated hundreds of citizens and family members from Syria and Iraq, prosecuting suspected fighters while providing rehabilitation services to others. Law enforcement demonstrates strong capacity to detect and respond to terrorist incidents, though some terrorism charges target political opponents rather than actual violent threats. The Committee for National Security coordinates counterterrorism efforts at central and local levels.

Political Unrest

In January 2022, Kazakhstan experienced widespread civil unrest following a sharp increase in fuel prices. Peaceful protests quickly spread from Zhanaozen to other cities, with demonstrations turning violent in Almaty. The government declared a state of emergency, and President Tokayev ordered security forces to shoot to kill without warning. By the end of the unrest, 227 people died (including 19 security force members), and over 9,900 were arrested. The government characterized the events as an attempted coup involving organized criminal groups. Human rights organizations documented excessive force against protesters, with hundreds alleging ill-treatment or torture in detention. At least six people died in pretrial detention centers. Only limited accountability has followed, with one law enforcement officer prosecuted for lethal response by 2024. The January 2022 events marked the most significant unrest in Kazakhstan’s post-Soviet history. Since then, the situation has stabilized, though demonstrations occasionally occur and can be accompanied by internet outages. Public demonstrations are only permitted when authorized in advance by authorities. Unauthorized protests risk arrest for participants. Past demonstrations have ended in deaths and mass arrests. In 2024, authorities continued to crack down on government critics, with activists and journalists facing prosecution on extremism-related and false information charges. Political opposition faces serious obstacles to registration and operation.

Areas To Avoid

There are no specific areas in Kazakhstan designated as dangerous no-go zones for travelers. However, certain precautions apply to specific locations. In Almaty, areas below Tashkentskaya Street should be avoided at night due to muggings and drink spiking at nightlife venues. The Shanyrak district within Almaty requires extra caution. Atyrau and Aktau in western Kazakhstan have seen violent thefts at night, particularly around nightclubs and bars, though security has improved in recent years. Smaller towns including Uralsk, Taraz, Semey, Shymkent, Taldykorgan, and Ust-Kamenogorsk are best avoided after dark due to mugging risks. Shar, Temirtau, and Stepnogorsk may turn violent at night. Western Kazakhstan has seen reports of unfriendly attitudes toward foreigners. Southern cities like Shymkent, Taraz, and Turkistan are more conservative regions where LGBTQ individuals face greater risks. Driving on small countryside roads during winter is not recommended due to hazardous conditions. Border areas should be avoided for photography, as taking photos near military sites, airports, and official buildings can cause problems with local officials, even when restrictions are not clearly marked. The areas surrounding protest locations should be avoided, as demonstrations can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.