Embassy Sections
We monitor political and internal developments (including human rights, non-proliferation, criminal justice, and energy export routes) and report regularly to London. We lobby officials in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan on a variety of issues to further UK foreign policy objectives. We also lead on assisting with high level visits. Througout 2009 Political Section are working closely with Defence Section to fulfill our role as NATO Contact Point Embassy. Political Section also regularly liaises with Commercial Section on energy issues affecting UK companies in the oil and gas sector.
The Embassy’s Trade and Investment Section falls under the umbrella of UK Trade & Investment. Its staff offer advice on Kazakhstani market and provide services to British companies operating in the country. The UK Trade and Investment Atyrau Office covers the oil-rich West Kazakhstan region.
The Projects Section receives project applications and supervises the implementation of projects to support the Embassy's mission and objectives in Kazakhstan. They also co-ordinate the Strategic Priorities Fund (SPF) projects in Kazakhstan.
The Defence Section is headed by the Defence Attaché Lieutenant Colonel Fitzgibbon. The Defence Section runs a wide bilateral programme of contacts, training, seminars and courses conducted between the British Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Defence of Kazakhstan.
The British Consul Barry Bobin-Martin and his team are here to look after the interests of British Nationals visiting, or living in Kazakhstan. The Consular Section process passport applications, register births and deaths of British nationals occurring in Kazakhstan, and provide notarial services. A Duty Officer is available to deal with emergencies outside normal hours, seven days a week.
The British Embassy Office in Almaty processes UK entry clearances for the United Kingdom and its overseas territories. The Office works in conjunction with a commercial partner, VFS, that accepts applications for all types of UK visas from nationals and residents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tadjikistan. VFS manages the visa application centre for the Visa Section of the Embassy here in Kazakhstan where applications should be submitted, biometric fingerprints are taken and the application fee is paid. The commercial partner is not involved in the decision making process and this rests entirely with the Visa Section staff at the British Embassy Office in Almaty.
The Communications Section deals with public enquiries about Britain as well as with enquiries from the Kazakh press and government departments about British Government policy. It issues press releases and other information about the UK.
- Management Section
The Management Section provides logistical support to the Embassy.
