Do Russian citizens need a visa to enter Kazakhstan?

No, you don't need a visa! Russian citizens can enter Kazakhstan without a visa for up to 30 days. This rule has been in effect for quite a while now, and it hasn't changed. You just need to have a foreign passport that will be valid during your trip. I myself was planning to go to Nur-Sultan to visit my sister just last year, and everything was straightforward for us - we didn't get any visas.

Though, if you're planning to stay there longer than 30 days, then you'll need a visa. But if it's an exhibition in September for a couple of weeks, there's nothing to worry about. When you cross the border there might be a little check - they usually ask about the purpose of your trip, how long you're planning to stay, but that's just standard procedure. I'd still recommend checking the current information on the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website before you go, just in case something changes, though as of 2026 everything remains the same.

Good luck at the exhibition! Almaty is a beautiful city, if you have time, take a walk around there. When I went to a neighboring region, locals told me about some great parks and fairs.