Kazakhstan
Location: Central Asia
Visas & Permits
Visas & Work Permits
Entry is subject to regulations from country of origin. Crews travelling on Western passports don’t need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for stays of up to 30 days.
Please contact a local embassy, consulate or representative for more information. Alternatively, there are specialist companies that provide visa and immigration support to the media industry, and may be able to assist.
Film Location Permits
Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach.
Customs
For productions looking to bring in film equipment, Kazakhstan is an ATA carnet country.
When to Film
When to Film
Kazakhstan is a very large country, so weather patterns vary by region.
Generally speaking, winters (November to March) are very cold and snowy. Spring (April to May) is mild with desert flowers coming into bloom. Summer (June to August) is very hot and dry. Autumn (September to October) is harvest time with mild, rainy conditions. Weather-wise, May to September are the best months to film.
Kazakhstan is a predominately Muslim country. Ramadan is widely observed with many services closed during this period.
Public Holidays
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Kazakhstan.
Costs & VAT
Since only some filming infrastructure exists, some key crew, equipment and talent may need to be brought in from abroad. This will add to cost of shooting.
The standard VAT rate in Kazakhstan, at the time of writing, is set at 12%.
Funding & Tax Incentives
Tax Incentives
At the time of writing, this country does not have any filming incentives. However, up-to-date information on global filming incentives may be found on the Entertainment Partners' Production Incentives Map.Treaty Documents
At the time of writing, the UK does not have a trade agreement with this country. However, up-to-date information about UK trade agreements can be found on the GOV.UK website.