New passport design being prepared in Kazakhstan: no need to replace the turquoise one

Tengrinewd.kz — Kazakhstan is developing a new passport design. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has shared details on when the updated document will be released, whether citizens will need to replace their current passports, and the associated issuance costs.

The origins of the new passport discussions

As early as last December, images of a supposedly new Kazakhstani passport began circulating on social media. Users noted that the document resembled a South Korean passport, sparking a heated debate.

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At the time, the Ministry of Internal Affairs clarified that while a new design was indeed in the works, the photos being shared online were not related to the official project.

Current status

Several months later, the Ministry confirmed that work on the new design is ongoing.

The department reported that a prototype for the new Kazakhstani citizen's passport is currently being developed. This project is a collaboration between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and design specialists.

A completion date has not yet been announced, and sketches of the document have not been released to the public.

"Information regarding the completion of these works and the approval of the final design will be provided to interested parties through the established channels. At this stage of development, it is not possible to provide sketches or mock-ups of the new passport design, as the document's final appearance has not yet been approved," the Ministry stated in response to an official inquiry from the editorial office.

Will current passports need to be replaced?

In short, no. You can continue using your current passport until its expiration date.

"Once the new passport design is approved and introduced, the mandatory replacement of previously issued passports will not be required. Current-style passports will remain legally valid until their expiration dates," the Ministry added.

This means Kazakhstanis will not be forced to apply for a new document or pay additional fees specifically for the redesign. The old passport will remain valid until it expires.

Cost of passport issuance

The cost of issuing or replacing a passport in Kazakhstan depends on the number of pages and the age of the applicant. In 2026, the basic state fees are as follows:

• 36 pages (standard for adults) — 34,600 tenge (8 MCI);
• 48 pages (extended) — 51,900 tenge (12 MCI);
• 24 pages (for children under 16) — 17,300 tenge (4 MCI).

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