Kazakhstan changes visa granting mechanism for US citizens
The Kazakh Foreign Ministry reported that US citizens will be
able to apply for multiple-entry Kazakhstan's visas valid for up to
five years after August 1. Previously Kazakhstan issued visas for
US citizens for a period not exceeding one year.
The new rules see an issuance of longer visa of all kinds including
diplomatic, official, business, tourist, private and student.
According to a Kazakh- US bilateral agreement, Kazakh citizens
traveling to the US will also have the possibility of applying for
multiple-entry visas valid for up to five years.
The extension of Kazakh visa terms is one more measure implemented
by the government aimed at simplification of the organisation of
trips to the country for citizens of the US and other developed
countries.
In May, Kazakh Foreign Ministry facilitated visa arrangements for
foreign tourists and entrepreneurs.
According to the facilitated procedures, tourists traveling to
Kazakhstan can receive single, double or triple entry visas valid
for up to 90 days which allow for a stay in the country for up to
30 days after each entry. Immigrants arriving in Kazakhstan for
business can get a special visa with a one-year validity period.
Foreigners engaged in investment activities in Kazakhstan, will
receive single investor visas valid for up to 90 days, or multiple
investor visas valid for up to three years following the request
from Kazakhstan's authorised body responsible for investments.
"The new rules for issuing visas are primarily aimed at creating
favourable conditions for foreign tourists and entrepreneurs
travelling to Kazakhstan," the Ministry said.
The new rules make for a more simplified procedure for obtaining
Kazakhstan's visas for citizens of 48 developed countries who need
no invitation to obtain short-term visas. Moreover, the Kazakh
Foreign Ministry earlier said that a draft project is considering
the launch of a temporary visa-waiver system for citizens of 48
politically stable and economically developed countries to attract
foreign tourists, businessmen and investors. However despite
developing this idea for a quite long period the project has not
been approved yet and is not scheduled to be approved in the near
future.
According to travel agent Aynur Mammadova, cancellation of visa
regime in any country always gives rise to a tourist flow.
"Countries with a visa free system are more popular among our
clients. You have to spend additional time to receive a visa.
Besides, not everyone can plan a vacation in advance. They buy
tickets two to five days prior to the trip and the only possible
destination in such a case is a visa-waiver country. Moreover when
you apply for a visa there is always a risk that you will not
receive it," she said.
Kazakhstan has been attaching great importance to inbound tourism
of late. A new concept on tourist sector development until 2020 was
developed at the beginning of 2013. The concept envisages the
creation of new tourist zones and resorts, promotion of Kazakhstan
as a tourist destination in other countries and development of
tourism education to improve service quality. In 2013 the Kazakh
government started financing participation of Kazakh tour
operators, offering inbound tourism to foreigners, at international
tourism fairs.
At present the Kazakh Economy is based on income from hydrocarbons.
However of late, oil production has not increased in the country.
Furthermore, according to a BP Statistical Review, oil production
in Kazakhstan decreased by 1.6 per cent in 2012.
In April, the Oil and Gas Ministry reduced its oil production
forecast for 2013-2015. A similar situation exists in the gas
sector. As a result the revenue forecast of Kazakhstan's budget was
reduced. In addition currently the Kazakh economy strongly depends
on world oil prices. So the country's leadership developed a
programme and implemented measures to diversify the country's
economy with tourism as one of spheres of the economy being
prioritised by the Kazakh government for intensive development.