Travel Answers

I'm doing the Mongol Rally in July and traveling through Kazakhstan. I'm anticipating that we'll use the Zhanaul and the Karaagash border crossings to enter and exit. Does anyone have experience with these?

I'm also currently in the process of applying for my visa, and I want to just double-confirm that American passport holders do NOT need a letter of invitation, right? I gather that you need to include a letter requesting the visa with some statement of intent, but that it is straightforward and can be very brief.

How flexible are Kazakh visas on entry and exit dates? Since we are driving overland and conditions are slightly unpredictable, we will have an anticipated date of arrival and exit, but they might change.

Also, has anyone had any negative or uncomfortable experiences with the Kazakh police while driving as a foreigner in the country, such as being pulled over and charged with anything falsely, having to pay bribes, etc?

Thank you.

I need to get my Kazakh visa soon as I depart the US at the end of June, however, in the instructions from the visa service I'm using, it tells me I need to "submit a computer-generated flight itinerary from your travel agent, airline, or online booking agency or a copy of your ticket(s). A photocopy is acceptable. It must indicate your name, date of arrival and departure from Kazakhstan and flight information." I am not flying in or out of Kazakhstan, but driving there, and have approximate but not exact dates for my entry and exit. I am flying to the UK, and departing by plane from my final destination, Mongolia. My Russian visa also requests these details. Since I'm not flying in or out of either of these countries, but driving through them, what do I do? The Kazakh visa also wants a hotel reservation confirmation and I don't have that. Do I absolutely have to have this? I don't actually arrive in the country until July.