Washington / Astana, 27 October. The US State Department keeps Kazakhstan at Level 1, the lowest risk level in its Travel Advisory for American travellers, while France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom are at Level 2, where Americans are advised to exercise increased caution, Ulysmedia reported after comparing the department's advisories.
The State Department sorts countries into four levels: at Level 1 normal precautions are enough, at Level 2 increased caution is needed, at Level 3 Americans are told to reconsider travel, and at Level 4 not to travel. It is not a ranking of national safety: the department assesses risks specifically for US citizens, including crime, terrorism, unrest, health care and natural disasters. Level 1 and 2 countries are reviewed once a year, Level 3 and 4 every six months.
The advisory describes Kazakhstan as a generally safe destination for travellers. It warns that financial fraud is widespread, although other crime is rare; roads, especially in rural areas, can be in poor condition, and tap water should not be drunk in many areas. In August 2026 the State Department updated its advice on Kazakhstan without changing the level or the list of risks.
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan are also at Level 1; in Kyrgyzstan Americans are advised to be careful within 30 km of the border with Tajikistan. Tajikistan itself is at Level 2, and areas on the Afghan border and the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region at Level 3. The large Western European countries are at Level 2 mainly because of the threat of terrorism, with a risk of unrest also cited for France and Spain. Austria, Switzerland, Poland and Portugal, like Canada and Japan, are at Level 1. Level 4 applies to Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan.
So by the State Department's classification, an American tourist needs normal precautions in Shymkent but increased caution in Paris.
What it means: For the US authorities Kazakhstan is a country its citizens can visit without special reservations, on a par with Switzerland and Japan. It is not a verdict on life in Kazakhstan but a signal to American tourists, businesses and insurers.
Who benefits: Kazakh tourism and business ties with the US: a low risk level affects companies' decisions on business trips and insurance terms. The warning about fraud and bad roads remains an honest reminder of weak spots.
Background: In January 2022, during the pandemic and mass unrest, the State Department raised Kazakhstan to Level 4 and advised against travel. Kazakhstan and the US are now preparing for direct flights: the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has explained which checks are required.
We have also reported that the TSA explained to Kazakhstan what is needed for direct flights to the US.
