OREANDA-NEWS. July 14, 2014. Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to reduce the consideration time of visa applications from foreign tourists and businessmen from 14 to 7 days.

It has been announced First Deputy Head of Department Rapil Zhoshybayev at a press briefing in Central Communications Service today.

Such innovation, he said, is discussed in the framework of interdepartmental working group on developing a new normative legal act, which simplifies the procedure for issuing visas in Kazakhstan for foreign business people, potential investors and tourists.

He stressed that the group considered the proposals and recommendations of accredited diplomatic missions in Kazakhstan, embassies abroad, European business associations. World experience has also been studied.

As part of this document, it is also expected to revise the procedure for consideration of applications for family reunification visas, permanent residence and business immigrants. According to him, the Foreign Ministry plans to introduce the possibility of applying online.

Currently, the draft rules are being agreed with the competent authorities of Kazakhstan.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs will apply for revocation of the license of the tourist company "Gulnar Tour", because of which, hundreds of Kazakhs could not return from Turkey to Kazakhstan.

Ministry plans to expand the list of countries that will be granted visa-free visit to Kazakhstan.

Currently, such a right has been accorded to 10 countries that showed the most high investment activity in Kazakhstan: USA, Netherlands, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, UAE, South Korea and Japan. The decision is a pilot project and will be tested from 15 July 2014 to 15 July 2015.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to go to the issuance of electronic visas for foreigners entering the country.

"We have analyzed the experience of our neighbors and the world community, where everything is transferred into electronic format and learned how the electronic visa system, and the system of electronic borders transmission work," Rapil Zhoshybayev said.

According to him, electronic visas eliminate human contact. Kazakhstan visa can be obtained by applying online. The answer comes in a short time. A foreigner will get a visa itself at the border.
Rapil Zhoshybayev stressed that the Foreign Ministry is currently negotiating with companies that can install such a system within a half year.