On liberalization of the procedure for crossing the state border of the Republic of Kazakhstan

By the decision of the Interdepartmental Commission on preventing the emergence and spread of coronavirus infection on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MVK) dated February 7, 2022, changes were made to the "Procedure for crossing the State Border of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the period of quarantine restrictions from May 11, 2020".

According to the amendments, foreign citizens from countries with a visa-free regime (introduced unilaterally or under bilateral agreements), as well as citizens of states with which direct air traffic has been resumed by decision of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan (up-to-date information is regularly posted on the information resources of the Civil Aviation Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Innovational Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan) are exempted from the requirement to obtain an MVK permit when entering Kazakhstan through international airports.

To date, on the basis of bilateral agreements, Kazakhstan has established a visa-free regime with 19 states (the agreement with Cuba is at the stage of ratification). In addition, from January 1, 2022, a 30-day visa-free regime was restored for foreign citizens from 54 countries to enter Kazakhstan. Thus, at the moment, citizens of 73 countries of the world, including citizens of the Republic of Lithuania, have the right to visit Kazakhstan without issuing visas and obtaining permits from the International Air Commission through the country's international airports.

We remind you that the specified facilitation of entry and transit travel applies to persons arriving in Kazakhstan only by air. In other cases, the permission of MVK is still required.

In addition, citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan are allowed to travel to foreign countries through the international airports of Kazakhstan, and the time limit for the frequency of border crossings has been reduced from 30 days to 15 days.

At the same time, in all cases, it is mandatory to comply with quarantine restrictions and visa requirements, unless otherwise provided by international agreements of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Due to epidemiological restrictions, persons arriving to Kazakhstan, are required to have a negative COVID-19 PCR-test result issued no more than 72 hours before arrival, except children under age five. Despite posession of international vaccination passports, travellers unable to provide negative PCR-test in Kazakh, Russian or English languages, will be denied entry. Each traveller must fill out health questionnaire, undergo temperature screening and wear protective face masks.

«Procedure for crossing the State border of Kazakhstan» is available by this link: https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/shekaraknb/press/article/details/28054?lang=en

 

Embassy of Kazakhstan to Lithuania