On November 10, 2023, the Agreement on Mutual Exemption from Visa Requirements between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the People's Republic of China came into force, El.kz reports.
The main goal of the Agreement on visa-free travel is to increase the mobility of Kazakhstanis in foreign trips.
The Government of Kazakhstan is taking steps to liberalize visa procedures and regimes, which make it possible to maintain a favorable investment climate, intensify business contacts and increase the country's tourism potential, thereby helping to attract additional financial inflows to the country's economy and create new jobs for its citizens.
According to the press service of Kazakh MFA, in accordance with Article 1 of this Agreement, citizens of both countries are exempt from visa requirements within the framework of private affairs, tourism, treatment, international transportation, transit and business trips. At the same time, the maximum period of stay of citizens is 30 calendar days from the date of crossing the border, and the total duration should not exceed a total of 90 calendar days within 180 calendar days.
If a stay of more than 30 days is required, a visa of the appropriate category must be obtained in advance. The visa-free regime does not provide the right to work, study and missionary activities.
It is important to note that this agreement does not apply to visits to special administrative regions of the PRC, such as Hong Kong and Macau. Citizens of Kazakhstan do not require a visa for up to 14 days to visit Hong Kong, while Macau requires a visa.
The mutual liberalization of the visa regime between Kazakhstan and China has become another step towards creating a progressive legal framework for investment activities, supporting investors through the provision of stable and predictable conditions for business trips to both China and Kazakhstan, which greatly simplifies their planning.
It is necessary to note the positive effect of the tourism industry on the economy of the state, which directly or indirectly affects the development of 32 sectors of the economy. It provides an additional inflow of financial resources to the country, which has a positive effect on the country's balance of payments, and also helps to increase employment. Over the past decade, Chinese citizens have become one of the most active travelers and spend significant funds on their trips.
The mutual 30-day visa-free regime with our strategic partner will undoubtedly bring a number of positive aspects for the country's economy: increasing the intensity of contacts between business circles; strengthening the enabling environment for foreign investors; increase in trade turnover; expansion of the flow of tourists to the country, which in turn will have a multiplier effect on the economy of Kazakhstan by creating additional jobs, expanding the range of tourist services offered, increasing the budget
A general increase in business activity between our countries is expected, which will become an important factor for an additional inflow of foreign investment into the country's economy, expanding contacts and implementing joint projects in the fields of science and education, cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
According to the ministry, Kazakh citizens can visit 34 countries without a visa.
Among the countries available for visa-free travel are Hong Kong, Iran, Oman (up to 14 days), Barbados (up to 28 days), as well as Argentina, Brazil, Malaysia, Maldives, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, the Philippines and Ecuador (up to 30 days). Some countries allow you to stay without a visa for a longer time: Albania, Colombia, Costa Rica, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia and Ukraine - up to 90 days, Armenia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - up to 180 days, and Georgia - up to 1 year.