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Tengrinews.kz - Kazakhstan is in talks with the European Union to ease visa requirements, which could eventually lead to lower Schengen visa fees for Kazakh citizens, according to the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Aibek Smadiyarov, spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, said the negotiation process will take time, as it involves all 27 Schengen Area member states.
"As you know, we recently agreed to launch negotiations. The EU has reached a consensus that we should begin this process. Visa liberalization is not something that happens overnight—it’s a complex issue involving Kazakhstan and all Schengen countries," Smadiyarov stated.
He also urged Kazakh citizens applying for visas to be honest and provide accurate documentation.
"There have been many instances of falsified documents, fake certificates, or applicants misrepresenting the purpose of their visit. This affects not only the individual's profile but also the overall perception of Kazakh travelers, potentially impacting future applications for everyone," he said.
When asked whether the consular fee could be refunded, Smadiyarov noted that such refunds are not standard practice internationally.
"Consular fees are non-refundable in any country. However, we are in discussions to reduce the consular fee. There are still many points to negotiate, but we hope to reach a mutual agreement with our European partners," he added.
Currently, Schengen visa fees stand at €90 (52,567 tenge) for adults and €45 (26,283 tenge) for children.
Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Kazakhstan and the European Union were planning to sign an agreement on the mutual simplification of visa requirements.
