It will become easier for Kazakhstanis to obtain a Schengen visa – Foreign Ministry names timeline

Tengrinews.kz — Kazakhstanis will not be exempt from obtaining a Schengen visa, but the process will become easier. Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Bakayev spoke in detail about negotiations between Kazakhstan and the European Union.

According to Bakayev, the process of simplifying the issuance of Schengen visas for Kazakhstanis consists of two stages.

“I would like to draw attention to this: we are not talking about exempting citizens of Kazakhstan from visa requirements for Schengen countries. We are talking about simplifying the process of obtaining Schengen visas. This is very important. Because sometimes completely different information appears in the media. The first stage is a readmission agreement. These are two documents that go together. The European side plans to sign these two documents simultaneously. And at the same time, we must submit them for ratification. As for the timeline, we want to complete the entire negotiation process in the second half of this year. After that, the second procedure begins,” Alibek Bakayev said on the sidelines of the Mazhilis.

Reference. Readmission is the agreement of a state to take back its own citizens or citizens of third countries who are illegally staying on the territory of another country, based on international treaties. It is a mechanism to combat illegal migration, ensuring accelerated and orderly deportation. Readmission is formalized through bilateral agreements regulating the transfer of persons between competent authorities.

According to the deputy minister, Kazakhstan will need to ratify the relevant document in Parliament. At the same time, all European Union member states must provide their conclusions.

“It will be much easier (to obtain a visa). I will speak in general terms: the requirements for documents will be regulated. This is very important. Issues related to multiple-entry visas are also being discussed. Pricing issues arise — we are trying to make it cheaper, of course. Therefore, the main parameters that interest citizens of Kazakhstan are always taken into account,” Bakayev said.

Recall: a year ago, the Foreign Ministry reported that Kazakhstan and the European Union planned to sign an agreement on mutual facilitation of visa requirements. The mandate to conduct negotiations on concluding the agreement was approved by EU member states and granted to the European Commission.

Negotiations on the agreement cover measures such as reducing application processing times, decreasing the list of required documents, lowering visa fees, expanding opportunities for obtaining multiple-entry visas with longer validity periods, and introducing preferential categories of applicants.