How life in Kazakhstan will change from June 2025

Tengrinews.kz - Several updates affecting the daily lives of Kazakh citizens will come into effect starting June 2025.

Almaty to become youth capital of the Organization of Turkic States

Almaty will receive a new international status this June, becoming the youth capital of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). The announcement was made by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the informal OTS summit in Budapest. The President also outlined Kazakhstan’s efforts to strengthen cooperation within the Turkic world.

Photo ©️ Tengrinews.kz / Alikhan Sariyev

“Kazakhstan has appointed a Permanent Representative to the OTS and plans to open a dedicated office in the near future; On June 11–12, Astana will host the 14th Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States; This year, the city of Aktau has been declared the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World, and we have already begun implementing concrete initiatives in this context; Last week, at Kazakhstan’s initiative, we established a Consultative Platform of Electoral Authorities, which held its first successful meeting in the historic city of Turkistan; Starting this June, the city of Almaty will serve as the Youth Capital of the OTS; All of these actions demonstrate our commitment to advancing Turkic unity,” the President said.

Phone number-based transfers and QR payments: Kazakh banks update rules

Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Kazakhstan, Berik Sholpankulov, announced that money transfers by phone number between different banks will become available in Kazakhstan. The National Payment Corporation is gradually connecting banks to the new system.

“Agreements have already been signed with nine banks: Halyk Bank, Bank CenterCredit, Freedom Bank, Altyn Bank, RBK Bank, Bereke Bank, ForteBank, Home Credit Bank, and Nurbank. This means the banks have started development and technical integration,” Sholpankulov said.

Photo ©️ Turar Kazangapov

According to Sholpankulov, the first five banks – Halyk Bank, Freedom Bank, Altyn Bank, RBK Bank, and Home Credit Bank – will launch the service in June. Others will follow in stages.

Electricity tariffs may rise in Almaty and the Almaty region

Starting June 1, electricity tariffs may increase in Almaty and the Almaty region, according to AlmatyEnergoSbyt. A project to update the electricity price caps has been submitted for approval.

Photo: depositphotos.com

Under the proposal, the new maximum price for electricity will be 38.66 tenge per kilowatt-hour, excluding VAT. Differentiated tariffs are also planned.

A final decision on the new rates will be made following an expert review by the Department of the Committee for Regulation of Natural Monopolies.

Free smartphone verification to end in Kazakhstan

The free smartphone verification period for individuals in Kazakhstan has been extended until June 25, according to Damir Seissembekov, Chairman of the Telecommunications Committee at the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry.

According to Seissembekov, smartphones that were brought into the country and connected to mobile networks before March 25 are automatically verified.

“All smartphones that were imported before March 25 and are already in use on local mobile networks are deemed verified. Their IMEI numbers have been added to the whitelist automatically,” he explained.

Photo: depositphotos.com

If you purchased a phone in, for example, February or April but did not activate it, or brought a device from abroad, you can still complete free verification until June 25. Each individual is allowed to verify up to two devices. The process can be completed via the eGov Mobile portal.

Verification is intended to prevent the illegal import and sale of refurbished or stolen devices.

Tele2 to update subscription fees and service volumes for select plans

Telecom operator Tele2 will revise pricing for certain mobile tariff plans.

“This is due to increased costs associated with network development, modernization, maintenance, and repair, as well as rising equipment prices,” the company said in a statement.

Kazakhstan to launch additional train routes for summer season

From June to September, Kazakhstan will introduce 11 additional railway routes, including new trains, extra carriages, and increased frequency on select services.

According to the national rail operator “Passenger Transportation” JSC, three Talgo trains and five standard trains will operate during the summer season, with additional carriages attached to three existing routes.

According to the schedule:

• Train No. 253/254 Astana – Dostyk (Talgo) will run twice a week;
• Train No. 207/208 Almaty – Zhalanashkol (Talgo) will operate on selected dates;
• Train No. 211/212 Almaty – Dostyk (Talgo) will run every other day;
• Train No. 221/222 Almaty – Dostyk will run three times a week;
• Train No. 457/458 Semey – Dostyk will run every other day;
• Train No. 459/460 Oskemen – Dostyk will run every other day;

Additional carriages will run every other day on the Almaty – Dostyk, Kyzylorda – Dostyk, and Pavlodar – Dostyk routes.

• Train No. 201/202 Astana – Almaty will operate daily.
• Train No. 203/204 Astana – Shymkent will also run daily.

Photo: KTZ

In addition, starting June 1, a dedicated women’s carriage will be added to Train No. 614/613 on the Uralsk – Mangystau route.

Kazakhstan to restrict movement of heavy trucks during summer

The national road operator KazAvtoZhol has announced that Kazakhstan will impose temporary restrictions on the movement of heavy freight vehicles starting June 1. The measure is aimed at preserving road surfaces and ensuring traffic safety during high summer temperatures.

Restriction periods:

• From June 1 to August 31 in southern and western regions;
• From June 1 to August 15 in northern and eastern regions.

The restrictions will apply during daytime hours when the air temperature exceeds +25°C.

Regions with restrictions from June 1 to August 31 (from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM):

• Almaty region
• Atyrau region
• Zhambyl region
• Zhetysu region
• Ulytau region
• Karaganda region
• Kyzylorda region
• Turkestan region
• Mangystau region

Regions with restrictions from June 1 to August 15 (from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM):

• Abai region
• Akmola region
• Aktobe region
• East Kazakhstan region
• West Kazakhstan region
• Karaganda region
• Kostanay region
• Pavlodar region
• North Kazakhstan region

KazAvtoZhol urged cargo carriers to comply with the regulations and plan their routes accordingly.

Regulations on desk audits to change

According to an order by the Ministry of Finance, amendments to the rules governing desk audits will come into effect on June 3.

Under the updated rules, notifications will be sent to the subject of the state audit between 8:30 AM and 6:00 PM, excluding weekends and public holidays. Lunch break is scheduled from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM.

Notifications must be sent via the web portal no later than five business days from the date the violation is identified.

Unified voucher system for children to be introduced

Photo: depositphotos.com

Starting June 1, a pilot project introducing a unified voucher system for sports, creativity, and supplementary education will be launched in Astana, Shymkent, Karaganda, Kyzylorda, Atyrau, and Aktobe, the Ministry of Culture and Information has announced. Unlike existing systems, the voucher will be assigned to the child, not the institution.

The voucher will come in two formats:

• Targeted voucher – for classes at public institutions, with no waitlist.
• Universal voucher – allows digital enrollment in private or non-state organizations. Access will be prioritized based on the child's age and the family’s social status to ensure fair distribution.

State exams to begin for graduating students

State exams for 9th and 11th graders will begin soon.

Ninth-grade students will take four exams: mathematics, a subject of their choice, and two language exams. The first is in the school’s primary language of instruction (Kazakh, Russian, Uzbek, Uyghur, or Tajik). The second is in Kazakh language and literature (for schools/classes with another language of instruction) or in Russian language and literature (for Kazakh-language schools/classes).

The final exam will take place on June 10.

Applications open for master's entrance exams

Applications for Kazakhstan’s comprehensive master's degree entrance exam open on June 1. Registration will be available on the National Testing Center website (app.testcenter.kz) through July 8. The exams will be held from July 20 to August 10.

Applicants to master's programs requiring creative preparation can also submit documents from June 1 to July 8 through their chosen universities or postgraduate institutions.

Russia introduces new entry rules

Photo ©️ Tengrinews.kz / Turar Kazangapov

Starting June 30, Russia will implement new entry procedures for foreign nationals, including citizens of Kazakhstan. According to Kazakhstan’s embassy in Russia, a digital profile will now be required for every entrant.

Kazakhstanis may still enter Russia freely via air or land crossings. The digital profile, created through the RuID app, will integrate with Russian government systems and can be used, for example, to obtain health insurance.

Registration in the app is not required for:

• Staff of accredited diplomatic missions and international organizations, and their family members;
• Holders of diplomatic and service passports;
• Children under the age of 6.

New airline to launch flights to Kazakhstan

Starting June 1, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi will begin operations in Kazakhstan. The Emirati airline will launch regular direct passenger flights between Abu Dhabi and Almaty three times a week – on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Kazakhstanis to get an extra day off in June

June will bring an additional public holiday for Kazakhstanis. Friday, June 6, will be a non-working day due to the celebration of Kurban Ait (Eid al-Adha).

"According to the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan, Kurban Ait will fall on June 6 in 2025. Therefore, June 6 is considered a public holiday," the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection reported.

Photo ©️ Turar Kazangapov

Free metro rides for children in Almaty on June 1

Photo: KGP Metropoliten Almaty press service

On June 1, metro rides will be free for children in Almaty. The city's metro authority said the initiative is timed to coincide with International Children’s Day.

The offer is valid all day for passengers under 14 years old.

Children under seven can ride public transport in Almaty for free year-round.

What the weather will be like in June

Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nyssanbayev has shared forecasts for the upcoming summer in Kazakhstan.

In June, average monthly temperatures are expected to remain within normal ranges across most of the country: 17–20°C in the north and central regions, and 23–25°C in the west. In the southwest and far south, temperatures will be higher than usual – averaging 24–28°C in the plains, with highs reaching up to 45°C.

Precipitation is expected to be within normal levels in the west and northeast, but below average in most other areas.

Nyssanbayev noted that this is a preliminary forecast and may be updated.