Astana

Visa-Free Access: Kazakhstan currently offers visa-free entry to citizens from 78 countries (including the US, Canada, Australia, the UAE, and most of Europe) for up to 30 days. Some CIS nations enjoy up to 90 days.

eVisas and LOIs: Attendees from non-exempt countries (like parts of South Asia or Africa) will need an eVisa or a traditional visa. If they require a traditional visa, your organization will almost certainly need to provide an official Letter of Invitation (LOI).

Passports: Standard 6-month passport validity rules apply.

Airport Navigation: Attendees will fly into Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ). It is a modern, relatively small airport, making navigation easy.

The Yandex Go App: Tell attendees to download Yandex Go (the "Uber of Central Asia") before they fly. It is an absolute necessity. A ride to the city center takes about 30 minutes and costs roughly 3,000 to 4,500 KZT (10 USD).

Skip the Bus: While public buses (Routes 10 and 12) go to the center, paying for them requires a local transit card ("Transcard") or a local mobile app, neither of which is easy for a foreigner to set up right off the plane.

Currency: The Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT).

Card is King: Astana is a highly digitized city. Locals use a domestic app called Kaspi, but international Visa and Mastercards (as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay) are accepted almost everywhere.

Tipping Culture: A 10% service charge is usually added automatically to restaurant bills. Tipping beyond this isn't strictly expected, but leaving a small amount of extra cash directly on the table for the server is highly appreciated.

Plugs and Voltage: Astana uses standard European Type C and F plugs with 220V voltage.

Staying Online: Mobile data in Kazakhstan is exceptionally cheap and fast. Attendees can easily download an eSIM (like Airalo) before landing, or buy a physical local SIM (Beeline, Kcell, or Tele2) right in the arrivals hall. Wi-Fi in hotels and cafes is ubiquitous and reliable.

Local Culinary Highlights: Kazakh culture is proudly nomadic, which translates to a heavily meat-based diet. The absolute must-try national dish is Beshbarmak (boiled horse meat or lamb served over wide, flat noodles in a savory broth). Baursaks (puffy fried dough) are also a staple.

Dietary Restrictions: Finding Halal food is effortless, as it is the default. However, vegan and vegetarian attendees will struggle. Meat is central to the culture, and broths are often meat-based even if chunks aren't visible. Point them toward specific international or Indian restaurants.

Tap Water: Advise attendees not to drink the tap water. Bottled water is cheap and preferred.

The City Divide: The Ishim River splits Astana into two distinct worlds. The Left Bank is an expanse of futuristic, ultra-modern architecture and massive boulevards (this is likely where your conference hotels are). The Right Bank is the older, Soviet-era side of the city, featuring narrower, more walkable streets and local character.

The "Must-Sees": Bayterek Tower, Khan Shatyr, and Hazrat Sultan Mosque.

Weather Warning: Astana is the second-coldest capital city in the world. Even outside of winter, the wide, open boulevards of the Left Bank act as wind tunnels. Remind them to pack layers.