US Ambassador to Kazakhstan: Visa Restrictions for Kazakhstanis Are a Temporary Measure

Julie M. Stufft, the United States Ambassador to Kazakhstan, commented on reports of more complicated U.S. visa procedures for Kazakhstani citizens, Orda.kz reports

According to Ms Stufft, this does not constitute a complete suspension of visa issuance. She said that it is a temporary suspension of certain procedures aimed at improving migration processes.

«This pause is not a full cancellation. We consider it a temporary measure, and the process is intended to help regulate migration flows. Similar initiatives have been carried out before to improve existing procedures,» the Ambassador emphasised 

Nonimmigrant visas, including student visas, continue to be processed as usual.

The diplomat also shared statistics on educational exchanges:

• In the 2024–25 academic year, over 3,000 Kazakhstani citizens are studying in the United States — an all-time record.
• In 2023–2024, over 100 American students studied in Kazakhstan — also the highest figure on record.

She expressed hope that the momentum of student exchanges will continue to grow.

Julie M. Stufft was confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan on 7 October 2025. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counsellor, she had most recently served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Executive Secretary of the National Security Council.

Original author: Ilya Astakhov