HomeCountries & Areas…Kazakhstan hide Kazakhstan Subscribe View Fact Sheet Embassies & Consulates Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs International Travel Information What you need to know before you go: visas, Embassy & Consulate locations, vaccinations, etc. International Travel Information: Learn More Current Travel Advisories Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions Learn More U.S. Relationship These are excerpts from the U.S. Relations With Kazakhstan U.S.-Kazakhstan Relations U.S. Assistance to Kazakhstan Bilateral Economic Relations U.S.-Kazakhstan Relations Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United States, on December 25, 1991, was the first country to recognize Kazakhstan’s independence. The United States opened its Embassy in Almaty in January 1992 and then relocated in 2006 to Astana (renamed Nur-Sultan in 2019) . The United States opened a Consulate General in Almaty in 2009. In the years since Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United States, on December 25, 1991, was the first country to recognize Kazakhstan’s independence. The United States opened its Embassy in Almaty in January 1992 and then relocated in 2006 to Astana (renamed Nur-Sultan in 2019) . The United States opened a Consulate General in Almaty in 2009. In the years since Kazakhstan’s independence, the two countries have developed a strong and wide-ranging bilateral relationship, and agreed on an enhanced strategic partnership at a summit in January 2018. Collapse U.S.-Kazakhstan Relations Read more about U.S.-Kazakhstan Relations U.S. Assistance to Kazakhstan U.S. government assistance to Kazakhstan focuses on combating transnational threats (trafficking –in-persons, narcotics, terrorism, and proliferation of WMD materiel), supporting the development of the the judicial system and law enforcement, promoting an increased public role for civil society and mass media, improving Kazakhstan’s investment and trade environment, helping the government provide effective social services, and supporting Kazakhstan’s efforts to increase U.S. government assistance to Kazakhstan focuses on combating transnational threats (trafficking –in-persons, narcotics, terrorism, and proliferation of WMD materiel), supporting the development of the the judicial system and law enforcement, promoting an increased public role for civil society and mass media, improving Kazakhstan’s investment and trade environment, helping the government provide effective social services, and supporting Kazakhstan’s efforts to increase its production of low-cost clean energy. Collapse U.S. Assistance to Kazakhstan Read more about U.S. Assistance to Kazakhstan Bilateral Economic Relations Kazakhstan is the 81st largest trading partner of the United States, with a total of $2 billion in two-way trade in 2019. U.S. firms have invested tens of billions of dollars in Kazakhstan, concentrated in the oil and gas sector. Kazakhstan has made some progress in creating a favorable investment climate, although serious problems remain, including corruption and arbitrary enforcement Kazakhstan is the 81st largest trading partner of the United States, with a total of $2 billion in two-way trade in 2019. U.S. firms have invested tens of billions of dollars in Kazakhstan, concentrated in the oil and gas sector. Kazakhstan has made some progress in creating a favorable investment climate, although serious problems remain, including corruption and arbitrary enforcement of laws and contracts. A U.S.-Kazakhstan Bilateral Investment Treaty and a Treaty on the Avoidance of Dual Taxation have been in place since 1994 and 1996, respectively. Kazakhstan became a member of the World Trade Organization on November 30, 2015. The U.S. Commercial Service provides support to U.S. businesses trying to enter the Kazakh market through counseling, market research, and a matchmaker program with Kazakh businesses. Collapse Bilateral Economic Relations Read more about Bilateral Economic Relations Integrated Country Strategies The Integrated Country Strategy is the four-year strategy articulating U.S. priorities in a given country. The Chief of Mission leads the strategy. View Integrated Country Strategies Investment Climate Statements The Investment Climate Statements analyze a variety of economies that are or could be markets for U.S. businesses and provide information on the business climates. View Investment Climate Statements Fiscal Transparency Report The Fiscal Transparency Report analyzes government transparency and identifies needed changes to improve public spending accountability. View Fiscal Transparency Report Discover More 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report View all Department Reports and Publications Highlights March 15, 2024 B5+1 Forum February 29, 2024 Almaty, Kazakhstan: Almaty International School: 2024 Special Needs Profile February 9, 2024 Inaugural C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue among the United States and Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan December 6, 2023 Progress in Repatriations: How Foreign Assistance Is Addressing the Humanitarian and Security Crises in Northeast Syria: Part 2 of 2 December 2, 2023 Accelerating Fast Mitigation: Summit on Methane and Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases VIEW ALL NEWS Tags Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Kazakhstan