Duman Sembayev, CEO of Kazdream Special Systems LLP, spoke about the expansion of the domestic automated Q-Gate passport control system. The terminals are already operating at 11 border checkpoints, including the international airports of Astana and Almaty.

A total of 54 Q-Gate terminals have been installed to date. The system verifies passengers using facial biometrics and passport data within 15–50 seconds, making the process 4–5 times faster than standard passport control. According to the developers, its implementation has significantly increased the capacity of border checkpoints: while manually processing a flight carrying 200 passengers takes border control officers around 30 minutes, Q-Gate can process the entire aircraft in approximately seven minutes.

“The terminal enables citizens aged 16 and over to cross the state border without contact and without having to interact with border control officers. Passport and facial biometric verification takes just 15 seconds, increasing the throughput capacity of checkpoints sixfold without requiring any expansion of their physical infrastructure,” Duman Sembaev said.

A further 198 Q-Gate terminals are planned to be installed by 2028. At the same time, algorithms are being developed to enable automated, contactless processing of foreign nationals.

In addition, pilot testing has begun for passport verification via a QR code generated through eGov, eliminating the need to present a physical passport.