Peter Anderson-Stewart
@NucMed
Australian expat in Kazakhstan
Forum posts
105
About me
Australian
Lives in Ust-Kamenogorsk
Registration: 02 August 2013
Coming to Kazakhstan by Teresateacher
I will arrive soon in Kazakhstan. What should I bring that you wish you would have brought?
As Bhvana has mentioned, check my earlier post (perhaps too, consider replying to this comment on the other article rather than to this one here). What you will require in clothing (especially during winter) will depend very much on where you will ... Read More
Traffic in Kazakhstan by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Which city or area do you live in in Kazakhstan, and how do you find the traffic? How long does it take to commute to work or run errands? Is there a rush hour in your city? What times of the day would you recommend people ...
Dangerous and diabolical. Parking is wherever people stop their cars. If you have an accident (even with little or no damage), you will wait for hours to have it resolved and be able to move off. People are often given their licence with their car ... Read More
Keeping in touch while living in Kazakhstan
Skype and mobile 'phone ... both internet and mobile 'phone calls (PAYG) are relatively cheap from inside KZ. However, roaming charges on a KZ mobile, even from next door in Kyrgyzstan or Russia are extortionate. Many people use WhatsApp ... Read More
Naturalisation and citizenship in Kazakhstan
"Do you have to give up your former nationality? " Yes. Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
From memory, I got the translation of the apostilled passport in Ust-Kamenogorsk and that was notarised. The certificate of no impediment to marriage was translated and apostilled in Australia. Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
"The only thing that was offered to me, is the apostile on an untranslated copy of my passport. I wonder, if it would be enough to get the apostiled copy translated in Kz instead of getting the translation of the copy apostiled in ... Read More
Visa to Kazakhstan
I assume that as you list that are you from Lagos, Nigerian is your citizenship status? If so, then you will need to apply for a visa with a Letter of Invitation (LOI) issued by a Kazakhstan tour operator. There are a number that cannot issue an ... Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
"So it means that i have to go there, apply, come back to Canada, and go back to Almaty for the celebration." You don't have to go back to Canada, just leave KZ before the 30 days is up, perhaps catch KC109 to Bishkek, walk off the ... Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
"I missed the fact, that the passport also needs to have an apostille! You mean, they will put an apostille in the passport itself? I am glad that you pointed that out to me! Up to now people only mentioned to me that an identity document of me ... Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
Hi, I don't know if you've seen my original post from a few years ago ... Below are the documents and procedure you need to follow ... Translated and notarised passport with apostille Translated and notarised Certificate of No Impediment ... Read More
Do you speak Kazakh? by Priscilla
Hi everyone, It is widely agreed that speaking Kazakh is essential for a successful integration in Kazakhstan. Do you agree? Share your experience! Do you speak Kazakh? If so, where did you learn this language? Where can one attend a language ...
"It is widely agreed ..." Is it? When a reasonable proportion of the citizens do not speak it at all well (even the president takes longer to make a speech in Kazakh than in Russian, making the requirement that you must have good Kazakh ... Read More
Studying in Kazakhstan
Would I recommend coming to study in Kazakhstan? In a word, no. Explanation? Perhaps the explanation is clear when you realise that many good students from Kazakhstan will go to Russia or other countries to study because the value of a KZ degree ... Read More
Dealing with homesickness in Kazakhstan by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Being an expat in Kazakhstan can turn out to be a wonderful human, social or professional adventure... with potential moments of nostalgia and homesickness along the way. What are your personal tips to prevent ...
I've never suffered homesickness (although I don't deny that many suffer from it) perhaps because having been sent to boarding school from the age of 5 until 17, you learn to cope with separation and lack of the familiar very early ... Read More
Keeping up with the news in Kazakhstan by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Living in Kazakhstan provides countless occasions to browse local newspapers, listen to local radio stations or watch local TV shows. As everywhere else in the world, local media play a key role in informing the public. What ...
Oh, just one other point on media in Kazakhstan ... Reports from Kazakh media on August 12 noted that the Information and Communications Ministry has launched a new website. "Dear friends, literally in the last few days on the website of our ... Read More
Keeping up with the news in Kazakhstan by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Living in Kazakhstan provides countless occasions to browse local newspapers, listen to local radio stations or watch local TV shows. As everywhere else in the world, local media play a key role in informing the public. What ...
Something that you need to understand about the media in Kazakhstan is that the government pays newspapers, websites and television station to publicise its own policies and achievements ... and pays only those that will print the "good ... Read More
Sports in Kazakhstan by Priscilla
Hello everyone, The Olympic Games are now just a few days away and we would like to talk about sports. What sports are the most popular and/or unusual in Kazakhstan? Are sports facilities easily accessible there? Where and how can one find ...
As far as I can see, most of their sport appears to revolve around fighting of some sort (boxing et cetera as well as some arcane native Kazakh sports), perhaps because of the overweening macho culture. Cycling is popular, as is ice hockey (at ... Read More
Marry a Kazakhs by honestguy100
Hello, please I needed help. I'll like to marry a Kazakh lady. I'm 18 years old and she's 28 years. So I'm here to ask whether is possible to married her since I'm 18 years?? Will the Kazakh accept me to marry her?? Secondly ...
"I'm from Gambia. There's no Kazakhstan Embassy in my country. So how can I get their Visa?" The Kazakhstan Embassy in the UK is where you would apply for your visa ... http://www.kazembassy.org.uk/en/pages/page/76 FAQ ... Read More
Adapting to the climate in Kazakhstan by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Adjusting to new climatic conditions is key in any expatriation process. Moving to Kazakhstan is no exception. What are the climate characteristics of Kazakhstan? How does the local weather impact your daily life, mood or ...
"i doubt if Kazakhstan ever reached -55 degC this winters." I am referring to my city, Ust-Kamenogorsk, which has had these temperatures in the past, as recently as 2012 ... this was not a statement on all of Kazakhstan, only my region, ... Read More
Adapting to the climate in Kazakhstan by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Adjusting to new climatic conditions is key in any expatriation process. Moving to Kazakhstan is no exception. What are the climate characteristics of Kazakhstan? How does the local weather impact your daily life, mood or ...
"What are the climate characteristics of Kazakhstan?" Depends on the region, where I am in Ust-Kamenogorsk (East Kazakhstan on the border of Siberia, Mongolia and China) ... Maximum temperature +40C, minimum temperature -55C. Wind ... Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
I recall there was some documents you had to get legalised twice because they were from the UAE, but the certificate of no impediment to marriage was just from the UK embassy (or have I got that wrong)? If so, the the certificate of no impediment ... Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
So, you have a certificate of no impediment to marriage in English that has been apostilled? Do you have a translation of that document in Russian? Have you got that notarised? What else do they want if not those two documents (apart from the ... Read More
Moving to Kazakhstan with your family by Bhavna
Hello everybody, When settling abroad with your spouse and children, the expatriation process requires an extensive preparation. What are the considerations to take into account when moving to Kazakhstan with your family? What challenges have you ...
"I wonder, are the people at large also wary of foreigners?" Some are, some aren't ... there is a degree of "nationalism" present in the country in addition to the sometimes overblown patriotism that they indulge in, some of ... Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
"Do I need to have that legalised or can a local legal translator take care of that?" I think you can have that either done by the UK embassy in Astana or they may be able to direct you to someone that can do it for you in Astana (I am ... Read More
Moving to Kazakhstan with your family by Bhavna
Hello everybody, When settling abroad with your spouse and children, the expatriation process requires an extensive preparation. What are the considerations to take into account when moving to Kazakhstan with your family? What challenges have you ...
Oh, and if you bring any of antiquity or antique item (painting, jewellery, furniture, pottery, anything), make sure you have it's provenance completely documented, because you will be asked to show this when you attempt to move back to your ... Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
"... or can I get a stamp in the UK embassy in Astana, do a translation and use?" As you have a certificate of no impediment to marriage from the government of the UK, you need to have that apostilled by whatever department of the UK ... Read More
Moving to Kazakhstan with your family by Bhavna
Hello everybody, When settling abroad with your spouse and children, the expatriation process requires an extensive preparation. What are the considerations to take into account when moving to Kazakhstan with your family? What challenges have you ...
Be very careful about what books/media you bring with you. Your shipping company should give you a list of items that you cannot bring in addition to certain "unspecified" publications "... books published prior to 1961 are prohibited ... Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
"The IIN concerns me, as apparently they need a Tax number from my country of residence?" For my IIN, they did not require a tax number from my country (Australia), perhaps it is a new requirement in the last 4 years, I only got an IIN ... Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
The Kazakh language requirement has been ongoing for a few years now and it is extending to more and more areas, so that is no surprise at all. The IIN is a new one, just get it, it relatively painless, although I'm confused when you say that ... Read More
Environmental protection in Kazakhstan by Kenjee
Hi, Environmental protection is a challenging issue for all the countries around the world. Would you say this issue is deemed of significance in Kazakhstan? Is the country going green through initiatives like waste management and selective ...
"Is the country going green through initiatives like waste management and selective sorting programs, renewable energies, public transport, green awareness campaigns and so forth?" It talks the talk ... but the reality is something quite ... Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
"All what Zvezdopad needs to do is to get cenomar from UAE government body, then he needs to do legalization of cenomar, in UAE ministry of international affairs." So, as I suspected, the UAE is not signatory to the Apostille Treaty ... Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
OK, so, if I have this right, you were married in the UAE under their laws and auspices, not in either Germany or the UK? Please correct me if I am wrong. You now need to get the Certificate of No Impediment To Marriage translated into Russian and ... Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
"I have recently received my divorce in Dubai " You were married to a UAE citizen? Then I expect that you would have to get the certificate of no impediment to marriage from the government department that deals with that in the UAE. Read More
Essentials to live in Kazakhstan by Christine
Hi, As an expat living in Kazakhstan, what would you advise the ones about to pack to bring along? What are the items you can easily find in Kazakhstan? On the other hand, what is less common or quite expensive? Share with us what you would ...
Oh and bring lemons. Nursultan Nazarbayev said the other day that lemons were luxury items and we should do without them ... no, really ... So if you would like lemons, bring them too ... Read More
Essentials to live in Kazakhstan by Christine
Hi, As an expat living in Kazakhstan, what would you advise the ones about to pack to bring along? What are the items you can easily find in Kazakhstan? On the other hand, what is less common or quite expensive? Share with us what you would ...
"On the other hand, what is less common or quite expensive? " That all depends on where you live. Live in Almaty, most items are obtainable, although, often at quite a price (same goes for Astana). Live outside those areas, stuff gets ... Read More
Essentials to live in Kazakhstan by Christine
Hi, As an expat living in Kazakhstan, what would you advise the ones about to pack to bring along? What are the items you can easily find in Kazakhstan? On the other hand, what is less common or quite expensive? Share with us what you would ...
"... and not to expect things to get done, because they said they would." Yes, quite ... it relates very much to the former CCCP method ... The bureaucracy is divided into three distinct classes - those who make plans, those who lie ... Read More
obtaining Kazakhstan visa... a little warning by kazprincess
Hello everybody. Just FYI. Lots of visa and migration laws were changed (and still being) since march 2013. It looks like Kazakh Government making it impossible for foreigners to come to this "Paradise" country. I'm local married to ...
"I have invitation letter from his company ..." I am not sure whether having an invitation from the company would help. You will need an invitation from the MFA of Kazakhstan (ministry of foreign affairs) to obtain a visa on arrival at ... Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
"... Border Protection change rules in Sept 2013 from 6 months to process visa to 9-14 months ..." Ahhh, ok, I did hear there was some change, but didn't realise it had all gone to hell in a handbasket ... Cheers, Peter Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
"But getting her back to Australia was a whole lot political red tape from Australian end, police check both my wife & me, health check,my finical statements bank,and still not done because we had to send all to Moscow Australian ... Read More
Any experience with KazPost? by Hyderabadgermany
Hi All, I have to send a courier to India. The courier will be of small weight and will contain only the photocopies of some documents. I find the rate quoted by DHL & Aramex (their partner company) expensive and was thinking about KazPost. I ...
KazPost is ok domestically (generally), but can be a nightmare both sending to and receiving from the outside world. You will need a grasp of Russian or Kazakh to operate the new KazPost system which now features a kind of delicatessen style ... Read More
Making phone calls in Kazakhstan by Maximilien
Hi, When settling in Kazakhstan, one of the priorities is to be able to make phone calls. How to proceed to get a landline installed in Kazakhstan? What are the mobile operators? What is your average monthly budget? Thank you in ...
Beeline is the mobile operator I have used since 2012 as a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) and find it works just fine in most areas of Kazakhstan (the NE, far east and SE) I travel in. I mainly use it for SMS and occasional calls (both inside Kazakhstan and ... Read More
Safety in Kazakhstan by Christine
Hi, We would like to talk about a sensitive but important topic: do you feel safe in Kazakhstan? How would you define the level of safety in the country? Can you walk safely during the day and at night without any fear? Do you think ...
I guess I'm used to a democratic environment where people are free to speak about their beliefs. There is also the point that perhaps the person that made the comment that it is good (that people aren't speaking about religion and ... Read More
Safety in Kazakhstan by Christine
Hi, We would like to talk about a sensitive but important topic: do you feel safe in Kazakhstan? How would you define the level of safety in the country? Can you walk safely during the day and at night without any fear? Do you think ...
"People do not talk about religion and politics which is good.' In what conceivable way, not speaking of politics or religion is it "good"? It appears to be a strange statement. Read More
Safety in Kazakhstan by Christine
Hi, We would like to talk about a sensitive but important topic: do you feel safe in Kazakhstan? How would you define the level of safety in the country? Can you walk safely during the day and at night without any fear? Do you think ...
"... 94 per cent of the men there having affairs ..." Really? Read More
Safety in Kazakhstan by Christine
Hi, We would like to talk about a sensitive but important topic: do you feel safe in Kazakhstan? How would you define the level of safety in the country? Can you walk safely during the day and at night without any fear? Do you think ...
In my area in Kazakhstan, Ust-Kamenogorsk, I feel quite safe, at least from violence (transport is another matter ...), but I suspect much of that is to do with the fact that I'm of indeterminate origin (could be Russian, Eastern European, ... Read More
How bad is the air really?For how much of the year is it really bad?
The pollution is year round, partly from vehicle emissions, partly from heating plant coal burning and partly from domestic/commercial fires for heating and cooking (using coal and wood). When you fly into Almaty, you will see exactly the situation ... Read More
Looking to Teach in KZ in 2016--A Little Help Here, Please by ywhitty
Hi Everyone, I currently live in Abu Dhabi and was offered a position in KZ, which I will pursue once I complete my contract here. I would like to know a few things as I am considering visiting before I move there: 1. How is the housing? I know ...
I am not a teacher here, but I can help with some information ... "However, I would like to know some details about the size and efficiency of the housing because I would consider shipping my furniture to KZ when I move (I am saving up the ... Read More
VPN required? by Guest9764
Has anyone in KZ found that it's better to have a VPN? I know many sites were blocked in the UAE. Thanks.
Hi, not sure if you are using TunnelBear still, but it appears that Kaztelecom (at least in Ust-Kamenogorsk) may be blocking it at the moment ... not sure if this is a government "initiative". Read More
Need help speaking to shippers
Hi, have you paid all the taxes on the items? The customs department in Kazakhstan can be a nightmare to deal with and if you do not speak either Kazakh or Russian and your shipping company does not speak English to communicate with you or they do ... Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
Hi, please read my post to you again, it contains all the details necessary for you to marry in Ust-Kamenogorsk (Oskemen) and the visa you must apply for. I am afraid I cannot put it more clearly than this. Also, contact the person I sent you the ... Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
Hi, since Pakistan is not either one of the visa "free" or simplified visa countries for Kazakhstan, you will need to get a letter of invitation (LOI) to Kazakhstan. This must be from a company certified to issue such an invitation, I ... Read More
Visa/job for partner by Girl_Friday
Hi, So I'm applying for a great job in Astana, and if I get it, I would like to bring my partner with me. He's got a degree in Maths, works in the media currently, but has experience of bar work, admin, and so on. How does he go about ...
If you get the job, your company should be able to organise a visa for the duration of your employment, a spousal visa, multiple entry (M2 visa). Whether he would be allowed to work on this visa would be a little uncertain. The time when casual ... Read More
Moving to Astana by Bmolly86
Hey guys. So was just wondering wat kind of a lifestyle to expect in Astana. I've been offered a job out there and I'm in two minds whether to take it or not. Is the night life good out there and the general day to day living etc. any ...
Be aware that it is absolutely freezing in winter though, -40C ... Most people prefer Almaty, the old capital, more cosmopolitan, a more tolerant and laid back city ... Astana is ummm, do you know the term "Potemkin village"? ... It is ... Read More
Hot water
Depending where you are (city) there will be breaks in the hot water service whilst they get ready for the oncoming winter, often, you will not receive notice of this and you will wake at 0600hrs to shower and find the water freezing cold. This can ... Read More
Moving from USA to teach Biology at NIS in Kazakhstan by txbiogirl
Hiya! I am moving from the USA to Kazakhstan to teach Biology at NIS in August 2014. I was born in Illinois, raised in Arizona, and been in Texas for all of my adult years. Currently I'm in the Dallas area, in the same house for almost 30 ...
"Does it mean I can take two and pay for one? Approx what extra charges did this incur?" Charges for overweight luggage on Air Astana on domestic flights is quite cheap, but unless you have a relatively high level on the frequent flyer ... Read More
Moving from USA to teach Biology at NIS in Kazakhstan by txbiogirl
Hiya! I am moving from the USA to Kazakhstan to teach Biology at NIS in August 2014. I was born in Illinois, raised in Arizona, and been in Texas for all of my adult years. Currently I'm in the Dallas area, in the same house for almost 30 ...
"Everything is going pretty well and I really like it here!" Glad that you've arrived safely Patsy. Is your apartment in КШТ (cash a tear) near the school or in some other area? It should take about a week for you to ... Read More
Moving from USA to teach Biology at NIS in Kazakhstan by txbiogirl
Hiya! I am moving from the USA to Kazakhstan to teach Biology at NIS in August 2014. I was born in Illinois, raised in Arizona, and been in Texas for all of my adult years. Currently I'm in the Dallas area, in the same house for almost 30 ...
"We don't want you looking like a "lobsters" before you settle down do we ..." Even more concerning is that they avoid developing melanoma or other skin cancers which are on the rise here because people don't believe in ... Read More
Moving from USA to teach Biology at NIS in Kazakhstan by txbiogirl
Hiya! I am moving from the USA to Kazakhstan to teach Biology at NIS in August 2014. I was born in Illinois, raised in Arizona, and been in Texas for all of my adult years. Currently I'm in the Dallas area, in the same house for almost 30 ...
"The checked bags follow your schedule and once you check them you won't see them again until you reach your last destination." Hmm, this is not always strictly correct once you enter Kazakhstan unless you are flying Air Astana (or ... Read More
help needed moving to kazakhstan by nomansalim
Hello Can anyone guide me to right direction i am in Pakistan & want to move to Kazakhstan. What i need to do step by step can anyone guide me? Thanks, Noman Salim
"... and have common children" Is this correct? It is certainly not the case in Ust-Kamenogorsk that you must have children, or Almaty, merely that you are married. It once was the law (up until around 2013) that you be married for a ... Read More
Moving from USA to teach Biology at NIS in Kazakhstan by txbiogirl
Hiya! I am moving from the USA to Kazakhstan to teach Biology at NIS in August 2014. I was born in Illinois, raised in Arizona, and been in Texas for all of my adult years. Currently I'm in the Dallas area, in the same house for almost 30 ...
If you have a Visa or Mastercard, you can just use it at an ATM (bankomat) at Astana airport (if that is where you are entering), there are also currency exchange counters there too. The main bankomats (Sberbank and the like) have a choice of ... Read More
Moving from USA to teach Biology at NIS in Kazakhstan by txbiogirl
Hiya! I am moving from the USA to Kazakhstan to teach Biology at NIS in August 2014. I was born in Illinois, raised in Arizona, and been in Texas for all of my adult years. Currently I'm in the Dallas area, in the same house for almost 30 ...
Thanks Jamie, I was hoping someone would chime in with personal UK experience ... Cheers, Peter Read More
Moving from USA to teach Biology at NIS in Kazakhstan by txbiogirl
Hiya! I am moving from the USA to Kazakhstan to teach Biology at NIS in August 2014. I was born in Illinois, raised in Arizona, and been in Texas for all of my adult years. Currently I'm in the Dallas area, in the same house for almost 30 ...
I am guessing you're in England? You could probably get a reasonable return flight with Etihad for about GBP800 at short notice LHR-AUH-TSE (Heathrow, Abu Dhabi, Astana) (about 16 hours). Or Air Astana (national airline) for about GBP750 ... Read More
Moving from USA to teach Biology at NIS in Kazakhstan by txbiogirl
Hiya! I am moving from the USA to Kazakhstan to teach Biology at NIS in August 2014. I was born in Illinois, raised in Arizona, and been in Texas for all of my adult years. Currently I'm in the Dallas area, in the same house for almost 30 ...
"... calling my name for boarding, I will still wait politely for the paperwork ..." Yes ... is both the short and the long answer to that ... On my last "get outta Kazakhstan every thirty days" in July, they held me back at ... Read More
Moving from USA to teach Biology at NIS in Kazakhstan by txbiogirl
Hiya! I am moving from the USA to Kazakhstan to teach Biology at NIS in August 2014. I was born in Illinois, raised in Arizona, and been in Texas for all of my adult years. Currently I'm in the Dallas area, in the same house for almost 30 ...
Yes, visa delays and problems ... Kazakhstan's bureaucratic specialty ... some embassies are better than others and some visas/work permits are more problematic than others ... One of the bigger problems in Kazakhstan is the bizarre level of ... Read More
Moving from USA to teach Biology at NIS in Kazakhstan by txbiogirl
Hiya! I am moving from the USA to Kazakhstan to teach Biology at NIS in August 2014. I was born in Illinois, raised in Arizona, and been in Texas for all of my adult years. Currently I'm in the Dallas area, in the same house for almost 30 ...
Ust-Kamenogorsk (Oskemen) where I am is, uh, not the liveliest for night-life if you are used to a major city ... Almaty is probably the best ... certainly cheaper than Astana ... Almaty is also a more Euro flavour ... Astana is more kinda Potemkin ... Read More
Train Travel in KZ by science.teacherman
I am curious about train travel in KZ. Most of the info is in Russian, and is not translated online into English.
Most of us are curious about it too ... however, my relatives have banned me from undertaking any train journeys here, again preferring to drive rather than going by train. Perhaps if you are an inveterate trainspotter, then it may hold some ... Read More
Experiences traveling on Scat Airlines by science.teacherman
Anyone had any experiences on this airline? Air Astana does not travel to all cities, but this one does travel to many, and I have some reservations about its safety.
"... have some reservations about its safety." Rightly so ... even my relatives here refuse to use it, preferring to drive 700km if that is the only other alternative ... it is black-listed by the EU authorities for good reason. Read More
Visa for wife?... by Cygnet720
Dear all, I am a potential expat pilot employee and I am wondering about the following situation. I have a chance to work for one of the Kazakhstanian companies and I will get a working visa which is specific for pilots. Basically I will be able ...
Generally, you can fly out to Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) and get a new visa in the Kazakh embassy there (drop application Monday, pick-up at 1800hrs Thursday). For a 60 day visa, if you are from a list of 47 countries, you will be able to make the ... Read More
Teaching job with oxford vision by Nylednuj
Hello, I am a science teacher and I am applying for a teaching job in Kazahztan.
"... apprehensions about the place ..." As far as safety goes, it is rated by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs as safer than many other countries such as Turkey, Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Russia, India, ... Read More
obtaining Kazakhstan visa... a little warning by kazprincess
Hello everybody. Just FYI. Lots of visa and migration laws were changed (and still being) since march 2013. It looks like Kazakh Government making it impossible for foreigners to come to this "Paradise" country. I'm local married to ...
Yes, it is not a well thought through visa or immigration system here in Kazakhstan. There is no real understanding in government of how it affects "normal" people. The bureaucrats that control the system often are aiming it at so-called ... Read More
obtaining Kazakhstan visa... a little warning by kazprincess
Hello everybody. Just FYI. Lots of visa and migration laws were changed (and still being) since march 2013. It looks like Kazakh Government making it impossible for foreigners to come to this "Paradise" country. I'm local married to ...
And not only each department, but each city and region has their own interpretation of the law unfortunately. I am a little unsure, however, about the statement that your husband can only visit for 90 days each year (this is correct only for a ... Read More
Indian Students- Medicine - Info plz - Cost of living/ everyday life by Anil Danda
We are planning to send my sister to Kazakhstan to do medicine. I need some information, please help with the below. Food, weather and medical conditions? How is students life? Is it worth of doing medicine over there? Regards, Anil Danda
I've sent you a private message for reasons that will be clear. Read More
New visa requirements at Kazakhstan Embassy in Bishkek
It appears that there is a new requirement at the Kazakhstan Embassy in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) for persons applying for a 90 day tourist visa. You will not be issued a Letter of Invitation (LOI) unless you are a resident of Kyrgyzstan. It also ... Read More
Indian Students- Medicine - Info plz - Cost of living/ everyday life by Anil Danda
We are planning to send my sister to Kazakhstan to do medicine. I need some information, please help with the below. Food, weather and medical conditions? How is students life? Is it worth of doing medicine over there? Regards, Anil Danda
It is quite common for Indian students to study medicine in Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek) I would say, certainly far more common than in Kazakhstan. Their visa system is probably more friendly as would be the weather, especially if you are coming from ... Read More
Immigration card date check! by Jaming
An Ex-Pat from Britain just got sent to jail for few days, as his Immigration card is out of date for one or two days (01/06/2014). The judge instead of fining him took the jailing option to give a "rich" person a lesson and sending a ...
Ah, correct, but I'm unsure that is what Jaming saying ... Part of the problem is that you may have been given incorrect dates on either your immigration "card" or on the actual visa itself as I pointed out above ... This is not an ... Read More
Immigration card date check! by Jaming
An Ex-Pat from Britain just got sent to jail for few days, as his Immigration card is out of date for one or two days (01/06/2014). The judge instead of fining him took the jailing option to give a "rich" person a lesson and sending a ...
Hi Jamie, interestingly, I've found that there appear to be two groups of the "young ones", there are those that tend to have had a higher education and been exposed to more "western" ideas of democratic governance that ... Read More
Immigration card date check! by Jaming
An Ex-Pat from Britain just got sent to jail for few days, as his Immigration card is out of date for one or two days (01/06/2014). The judge instead of fining him took the jailing option to give a "rich" person a lesson and sending a ...
Just on the date thing too, don't always assume that you will have been given the full 30 days either ... check carefully because there are often inexplicable errors made that they will not correct and will not admit to ... Read More
Immigration card date check! by Jaming
An Ex-Pat from Britain just got sent to jail for few days, as his Immigration card is out of date for one or two days (01/06/2014). The judge instead of fining him took the jailing option to give a "rich" person a lesson and sending a ...
Gaol? Really? That's a bit bizarre, generally they get sent back to the office in the city and told to pay a fine ... that said, the only time I've been close to the edge the border guards were helpful in suggesting ways to leave and finding ... Read More
Anyone from Australia?
The short answer ... yes ... mainly to discover how they have gone about doing relatively simple things such as shipping belongings from Australia to here, problems with visas, money transfer et cetera ... Cheers, Peter Read More
Anyone from Australia?
Hi, is there anyone from Australia on this blog? Read More
Australia to Kazakhstan money tranfer? by NucMed
Hi, has anyone had any experience with transferring money from an Australian bank to a bank in Kazakhstan? (I'm with Sberbank in Kazakhstan). The ATM fees are starting to bite ... Australian banks don't use the SWIFT IBAN system ... Cheers, Peter
Hi again Jaming, thank you for your reply, Whilst the SWIFT system may be recognised by Australian banks, the transfers are done by telegraphic transfer or Western Union and that is an expensive way to transfer money, especially via Western Union. ... Read More
Australia to Kazakhstan money tranfer? by NucMed
Hi, has anyone had any experience with transferring money from an Australian bank to a bank in Kazakhstan? (I'm with Sberbank in Kazakhstan). The ATM fees are starting to bite ... Australian banks don't use the SWIFT IBAN system ... Cheers, Peter
Hi Jaming and thanks for your reply. Transfers between banks in Australia use some system of their own devising, and it works ok, but for transferring money out of the country, telegraphic transfers are used and Western Union or go to a currency ... Read More
Australia to Kazakhstan money tranfer? by NucMed
Hi, has anyone had any experience with transferring money from an Australian bank to a bank in Kazakhstan? (I'm with Sberbank in Kazakhstan). The ATM fees are starting to bite ... Australian banks don't use the SWIFT IBAN system ... Cheers, Peter
Hi again Jaming, after inquiring in Australia with my bank, they said that there was no Visa to Visa card transfer system in Australia ... I wonder if any of the people you work with are Australian and have used the Visa to Visa system of transfer ... Read More
The other side of the Kazakhstani postcard by Julien
Hi, As a tourist in a foreign country, very often, we are enchanted with what we discover. Living abroad is different. It's a rich experience but there are also some difficulties to face. When people ask me for advice on living abroad, I ...
Living here, I would say, on the down side, the inherited Soviet-era bureaucracy is probably the most dispiriting part, given that it affects so much of an expatriate's life here. Round blue stamps, rectangular blue stamps, notarised forms and ... Read More
Cost of living in Kazakhstan by expat.com
Hi everybody, It would be very useful to talk about the cost of living in Kazakhstan. Don't forget to mention where in Kazakhstan you are living. How much does it cost to live in Kazakhstan? > accommodation prices > public transportation fares ...
They list themselves as IB ...nis.edu.kz/en/schools/atyrau/ But hey, I'm only a medical scientist ... and perhaps not the sharpest knife in the block ... Read More
Cost of living in Kazakhstan by expat.com
Hi everybody, It would be very useful to talk about the cost of living in Kazakhstan. Don't forget to mention where in Kazakhstan you are living. How much does it cost to live in Kazakhstan? > accommodation prices > public transportation fares ...
It appears that the school has the IB and a Kazakh curriculum to follow, so perhaps if you would like them to follow the IB, then the NIS would be suitable. If you are a teacher and have the firm offer, I guess you could just call the NIS ... Read More
Looking to move to Almaty - Some basic queries by angelawright
Hello All, We are a family of 4 considering an opportunity to move to Almaty. Currently residing in Dubai, wondering if someone could help us with the following queries (can get details on the net, but wanted to know more from people experiencing ...
Schools, unfortunately not (my daughter was educated in Australia and is living happily there ...), although from what I understand from friends and acquaintances in Almaty (I am in Ust-Kamenogorsk, about 1000km to the NE, near Siberia), there are ... Read More
Looking to move to Almaty - Some basic queries by angelawright
Hello All, We are a family of 4 considering an opportunity to move to Almaty. Currently residing in Dubai, wondering if someone could help us with the following queries (can get details on the net, but wanted to know more from people experiencing ...
Just on the " ... 3 room villa in a quiet, secure residential area ...", you probably need to be aware that except for the quite rich and above, a " ... 3 room villa in a quiet, secure residential area ..." is probably going to be a bit of a shock ... Read More
KZT to USD "devaluation"
AU$ currently KZT166.670, up about KZT30 from this morning ... but still not pro-rata the US$ change ... so no surprises there then ... Read More
Australia to Kazakhstan money tranfer? by NucMed
Hi, has anyone had any experience with transferring money from an Australian bank to a bank in Kazakhstan? (I'm with Sberbank in Kazakhstan). The ATM fees are starting to bite ... Australian banks don't use the SWIFT IBAN system ... Cheers, Peter
Thanks for that suggestion ... as I replied to a private message earlier ... They did have a couple of English speakers, including the manager that was handling my account, they just don't have a great grasp of English (not entirely unexpected), ... Read More
Australia to Kazakhstan money tranfer? by NucMed
Hi, has anyone had any experience with transferring money from an Australian bank to a bank in Kazakhstan? (I'm with Sberbank in Kazakhstan). The ATM fees are starting to bite ... Australian banks don't use the SWIFT IBAN system ... Cheers, Peter
Hi, thanks for that, my cards are both Visa debit, Sberbank in KZ. Now the struggle of attempting to speak with the Sberbank staff ... their English speaking manager only lasted 3 months ... Cheers, all the best, Peter Read More
Australia to Kazakhstan money tranfer? by NucMed
Hi, has anyone had any experience with transferring money from an Australian bank to a bank in Kazakhstan? (I'm with Sberbank in Kazakhstan). The ATM fees are starting to bite ... Australian banks don't use the SWIFT IBAN system ... Cheers, Peter
Hi, thank you for the further explanation, yes, both my cards are debit cards, although obviously from different banks. I will attempt to ask at Sberbank when I am next there if their Visa cards have this facility. Cheers, Peter Read More
Australia to Kazakhstan money tranfer? by NucMed
Hi, has anyone had any experience with transferring money from an Australian bank to a bank in Kazakhstan? (I'm with Sberbank in Kazakhstan). The ATM fees are starting to bite ... Australian banks don't use the SWIFT IBAN system ... Cheers, Peter
Thank you for the reply. Is that a thing? I have an Australian bank Visa and a Russian/Kazakhstan Sberbank Visa. Read More
Australia to Kazakhstan money tranfer?
Hi, has anyone had any experience with transferring money from an Australian bank to a bank in Kazakhstan? (I'm with Sberbank in Kazakhstan). The ATM fees are starting to bite ... Australian banks don't use the SWIFT IBAN system ... Cheers, Peter Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
Depending upon what your nationality is, you can get a 2 month visa just by applying to your nearest Kazakhstan embassy without a letter of invitation. Citizens of the following 47 countries are eligible for the simplified visa ... Read More
RESIDENT VISA PROCEDURES ???
Go to here: caravanistan.com/visa/kazakhstan/ And also here: caravanistan.com/visa/kazakhstan/permanent-residence/ Both these pages should give you enough information and unlike other pages, are up-to-date with the most recent laws on ... Read More
Cost of living in Kazakhstan by expat.com
Hi everybody, It would be very useful to talk about the cost of living in Kazakhstan. Don't forget to mention where in Kazakhstan you are living. How much does it cost to live in Kazakhstan? > accommodation prices > public transportation fares ...
If you are coming from Sydney to Almaty or Astana, there will be some prices that will be less than you are used to (some standard foods, basic clothing items, petrol/diesel is roughly half the price of Sydney, utilities including 'phone and ... Read More
Getting married in Kazakhstan by Armand
Hi all, We invite all the ones who got married in Kazakhstan or who are about to get married in Kazakhstan to participate in this thread :) What are the formalities to get married in Kazakhstan? Is it the same for a couple of foreigners of for ...
At least for Ust-Kamenogorsk and an Australian citizen marrying a citizen of Kazakhstan, the only documents required were; Translated and notarised passport with apostille Translated and notarised Certificate of No Impediment To Marriage with ... Read More