Business travel to Almaty, planned from Pakistan
Almaty is Kazakhstan’s largest city and its commercial centre, while Astana is the capital. Pakistani companies go to Almaty for distributors covering Central Asia, banks, food and pharmaceutical trade, and construction and engineering projects.
Almaty for business travellers from Pakistan
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Visa | A single-entry business e-visa through the official Visa and Migration Portal (vmp.gov.kz), issued only against an approved invitation from the Kazakh host. Confirm on the portal that Pakistan is eligible for the business category you need; otherwise apply at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Islamabad. |
| Steps | The host registers the invitation, sends you its number, and you apply online with the number and passport details. |
| Entry | The portal’s e-visa instructions say e-visa holders may enter and leave only through Almaty or Astana international airports. |
| Airport | Almaty International (ALA), about 20 to 30 minutes from the centre. |
| Flight time | About 3 to 5 hours with one stop, or direct when flights operate. |
| Time zone | Same as Pakistan (UTC+5) since Kazakhstan moved to a single time zone in 2024. |
| Money | Kazakh tenge (KZT). Cards are widely accepted in Almaty. |
How the Kazakh business e-visa works
Kazakhstan’s business e-visa starts with the host. The Kazakh company registers on the Visa and Migration Portal and submits an invitation for the traveller. Once it is approved, the company sends the invitation number, and the traveller applies online, pays the fee and receives the e-visa. It is single-entry, and entry and exit must be through Almaty or Astana international airports.
We could not confirm on an official page that Pakistan is on the business e-visa nationality list, so check it on the portal first. For other entry points, repeated visits or if Pakistan is not eligible, apply for a visa at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Islamabad.
Choosing the right city
Almaty is the commercial and financial centre, where most distributors, banks and trading companies are based. Astana is the capital, with ministries, national companies and the Astana International Financial Centre. Many trips cover both; the flight between them takes about 1 hour 40 minutes.
Where business happens in Almaty
The city rises towards the mountains, and business is concentrated in a few areas:
- Al-Farabi Avenue and the Esentai area for corporate offices and hotels
- The Medeu and Bostandyk districts for business centres
- The old centre, around Abylai Khan Avenue, for banks and offices
- Atakent Expo for exhibitions
- Industrial zones north of the city for warehouses and factories
Getting around and meeting culture
Ride-hailing is the easiest way around. Russian is the main business language, with Kazakh widely used and English growing. Relationships matter, and business dinners are common. Winters are cold and snowy, and summers are warm; the mountains are close enough for a weekend break.
How Go Global manages a Almaty trip
Visa plan
We guide your Kazakh host through the invitation and e-visa.
Flights
One-stop or direct routes into Almaty or Astana.
Hotels
Near your meetings in Almaty or Astana.
In Kazakhstan
Domestic flights, interpreters and transfers.
After the trip
One invoice and a trip record.
Almaty business travel questions
Can Pakistanis get a Kazakh business e-visa?
Possibly. Some sources say Pakistan is eligible for the business-trip e-visa, but we could not confirm it on an official page. Check the nationality list on the Visa and Migration Portal, or apply at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Islamabad.
Which airports can I use with the e-visa?
Almaty and Astana international airports.
Is Almaty the capital?
No. Astana is the capital; Almaty is the largest city and the business centre.
Is Kazakhstan in the same time zone as Pakistan?
Yes, since Kazakhstan moved to a single time zone of UTC+5 in 2024.
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Planning a trip to Almaty?
Tell us who is travelling, when and why. We reply with a plan, the visa route and a quote. Go Global has handled 100,000+ trips, and our team works 24/7 for travellers on the road. Email insights@goglobal.pk or WhatsApp 0320-4111222.