U.S. Citizen Services

Arrest, DEATH AND EMERGENCY SERVICES

Medical Services

Medical care in Kazakhstan is limited and well below North American and Western European standards.  The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of English-speaking physicians. Basic medical supplies, including disposable needles, anesthetics, and antibiotics can be in short supply.  Elderly travelers and those with pre-existing health problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities.  Most resident Americans travel to Western Europe for serious medical treatment.  Such travel can be extremely expensive if undertaken under emergency conditions.  For more information on medical concerns and medical evacuation companies, please click here.  

Arrests

While you are in Kazakhstan, you are subject to Kazakhstani laws and procedures, which are often quite different from those in the United States.

If you are arrested or involved in a dispute with Kazakhstani authorities, you should ask the authorities to notify us. We cannot get you out of jail, but we can help protect your legitimate interests and ensure you are not discriminated against.

Please keep in mind that while our intervention may help, it can take time; ultimately only Kazakhstani officials have the authority to resolve a dispute in Kazakhstan.

Should you be kept in police custody, we can provide a list of local attorneys, visit you, and, if you choose, contact your friends and relatives on your behalf. We can also transfer money, food, and clothing to prison authorities from your family or friends.

The U. S. Embassy cannot, however, become involved in private legal disputes, such as between you and your Kazakhstani business partner. In these situations it might be helpful to retain a lawyer. The American Citizen Services Unit maintains a list of lawyers in Kazakhstan who have told us they are willing to represent Americans.

For more information, please see Assistance to U.S. Citizens Arrested Abroad on the U.S. Department of State Travel web site.

Death

In case of the death of an American citizen abroad, a consular officer will notify the deceased's next-of-kin and, in accordance with the next-of-kin's wishes, can act as his or her representative with local authorities.

The American Citizen Services Unit can provide information about options and costs for disposition of remains and can prepare the necessary documents should the family choose to have the body returned to the United States. Costs of preparing and returning a body to the U.S. are high and must be paid by the family.

The American Citizen Services Unit also issues a Consular Report of Death, based on the Kazakhstani death certificate, which can be used in the U.S. to settle estate and other matters.

For more information please visit Death of U.S. Citizens Abroad on the U.S. Department of State Travel web site.

Natural Disasters and Civil Disturbances

If you are caught in a natural disaster or civil disturbance here in Kazakhstan, you should let your relatives know as soon as possible that you are safe. You may contact the American Citizen Services Unit, which will try to pass a message to your family through the State Department. Be resourceful. U.S. officials will do everything they can to contact and advise you. However, they must give priority to helping Americans who have been hurt or are in immediate danger. In a disaster, Consular officers face the same constraints you do - lack of electricity or fuel, interrupted telephone lines, closed airports, etc. You should monitor news reports and contact the Embassy to find out if an advisory has been issued.

The Embassy encourages all Americans resident in Kazakhstan to plan ahead and consider what they would do in the even of a natural disaster or other emergency.  We have prepared the following documents to help:

• Crisis: Be Aware and Prepared (pdf)
• Evacuation: Be Prepared (pdf)
• Earthquake FAQs (pdf)
• Emergencies and Crises on the U.S. Department of State Travel web site.

You may also want to consult the Overseas Security Advisory Council's information on Kazakhstan and South and Central Asia .