What works in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan⚠️ Some limits

Messengers, social networks and Google work, but VPN sites and some news sites are blocked. The authorities can shut down the internet in emergencies, as in January 2022.

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  Other At least 17 news sites and 73 circumvention sites blocked (2023-2024)Source: ooni.org, 2024 · verified
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  Messages (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) Work; on 14.08.2026 Telegram was hard to reach in several regions, no reason givenSource: adilsoz.kz, 14.08.2026 · according to adilsoz.kz, 14.08.2026
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  Telegram calls Usually work; Telegram had outages in 08.2026Source: adilsoz.kz, 14.08.2026 · according to adilsoz.kz, 14.08.2026
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  VPN Websites of popular VPNs (NordVPN, ExpressVPN, ProtonVPN, Surfshark) are blocked; the law allows blocking anonymizersSource: ooni.org, 2024 · verified

Getting round via a roaming eSIM: We found no reliable source that a roaming eSIM bypasses local blocks

What to do

• VPN services' sites may not open here. Is a VPN legal: Websites of popular VPNs (NordVPN, ExpressVPN, ProtonVPN, Surfshark) are blocked; the law allows blocking anonymizers
• During protests, elections or exams the internet or some services have been cut here (04.01.2022, 06.2026, 14.08.2026). It usually affects a tourist for a day or two.
• Install and sign in to the apps you need at home: WhatsApp, Telegram, Privat24, monobank, Diia, Maps. Some app stores and sites may not open in the country.
• Keep your Ukrainian SIM in the phone with roaming on: bank SMS come to it. Switch data to the eSIM and turn off «Data roaming» on the Ukrainian SIM.
• About Tutu eSIM, honestly: Tutu eSIM is data only, without a number. Normal calls and SMS go through your Ukrainian SIM at roaming rates. So where calls in messengers are blocked, the eSIM alone won't open them.