Kazakhstan has updated its entry policy to allow citizens of the USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, UAE, South Korea and Japan to enter the country visa-free for up to 15 calendar days.
The visa exemptions will be in place from July 15, 2014 to July 15, 2015 and is designed to help boost tourism in Kazakhstan, as well as to facilitate businessmen and investors who wish to enter and depart the country freely.
The ten countries selected for the one-year visa-free program have either invested significantly in Kazakhstan, or have planned considerable investments.
While business travellers from the specified countries will have free access to Kazakhstan for up to 15 days, those who wish to remain for longer will be required to submit an application for a business visa - valid for up to 30 days.
Visitors travelling to Kazakhstan for leisure purposes, however, will not be able to get an extension to their visa-free permit.
In addition, the Embassy of Kazakhstan has stated that citizens of the ten countries are not allowed to engage in missionary work, or other paid activities during their stay.
Clement Huang
