On the restoration of the visa-free regime by the Republic of Korea for citizens of Kazakhstan

By the decision of the South Korean Government, the visa-free regime suspended for citizens of Kazakhstan and other countries due to the spread of coronavirus infection on April 13, 2020, will be restored from April 1, 2022.

It should be noted that the visa-free regime on a reciprocal basis has been in effect between our countries since June 19, 2014 on the basis of an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Republic of Korea on the mutual cancellation of visa requirements.

At the same time, now citizens of 112 foreign countries/regions, including Kazakhstan, who are eligible for visa-free entry to Korea, can access the Korean «electronic platform K-ETA» for visa-free entry to Korea (on the portal www.k-eta.go.kr prior permission must be obtained). The K-ETA permit will be valid for multiple trips to Korea for two years or until the expiration of the foreigners' passports. The cost of the permit is 10 thousand Korean won (approximately 10 US dollars). However, the K-ETA permit does not guarantee entry into the Republic of Korea; the final decision will be made by the Korean Immigration Service before the passenger crosses the border.

This measure of the Korean side will allow to increase the dynamics of mutual visits between Kazakhstan and Korea, which was reduced during the pandemic. Thus, the statistics of mutual tourist flows for 2020-2021 indicates a significant decrease in the indicators of inbound/outbound tourism – on average no more than 6-9 thousand visits per year. Whereas in the pre-covid period from 2017 to 2019, an average of 30 – 45 thousand visits per year. In addition, this factor will positively affect the expansion of the number of international flights between Kazakhstan and Korea.

Currently, there are 3 flights a week to South Korea on the «Almaty – Seoul» route by «AirAstana» and «AsianaAirlines», which, in case of an increase in tourist demand, will consider increasing the number of flights and destinations, including to/from Nur-Sultan.