Poles to have visa-free access to Kazakhstan beginning 2017

Beginning on Monday, Polish citizens will have the right to enter the country of Kazakhstan visa-free, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan said in a press release on Friday. The visa-exempt entry will be extended to several other countries as well, and is anticipated to be implemented to allow more people to attend the World’s International Exposition in the country’s capital, Astana, later in the year. Poland and 44 other countries, many from the OECD, will have the right to enter and exit Kazakhstan without having to obtain visas, if the period of their stay does not exceed 30 calendar days from the moment of crossing the border. Registration of foreigners will take place during the border control at the entrance into the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan stated that the new rules are a step toward the creation of a “convenient, transparent and friendly visa regime for foreigners, former compatriots, ethnic Kazakhs, and also to improve the investment climate in the country, aimed at attracting foreign investment, visits to Kazakhstan by individuals and related businesses.” With specific reference to Poland, the ambassador of Kazakhstan to Poland, Altaj Abibułłajew, wrote in part of the release: "In 2017, Poland and Kazakhstan will celebrate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and in the light of this date the elimination of visas was first announced by  President Nursultan Nazarbayev during a state visit to Poland in August this year. Now this promise has been realized. Kazakhstan welcomes and invites investors.”