ASTANA — In a notable development, Kazakhstan has expanded its list of visa-free countries for passport holders, encompassing 82 states across various passport categories, as announced by Aibek Smadiyarov, the spokesperson for the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, during a press briefing on December 25.
The press briefing served to summarize the outcomes of the ministry’s efforts in 2023.
Notably, mutual agreements have been reached with three new countries, enhancing visa-free access for multiple passport categories. These agreements include diplomatic and official passports with Bangladesh, and for all types of passports with Seychelles and San Marino.
Additionally, Kazakhstan has inked agreements with China and Vietnam, facilitating visa exemption for holders of national passports. The visa-free arrangement with China took effect on November 10, and a similar regime is set to commence with Vietnam once all necessary internal procedures are finalized.
Furthermore, Kazakhstan and the European Union (EU) have entered into agreements to initiate efforts aimed at streamlining the Schengen visa acquisition process for Kazakh citizens. This collaborative move is expected to facilitate smoother travel procedures between Kazakhstan and EU member states.
