Majilis Approves Draft Law on Ratification of Agreement Between Kazakhstan and Armenia on Travel and Stay of Citizens

The Majilis has adopted the draft law “On the Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Republic of Armenia on Travel and the Stay of Citizens”, Kazinform correspondent reports.

As explained by Minister of Internal Affairs Yerzhan Sadenov, the document introduces a requirement for citizens of both Parties to register with the internal affairs authorities after 30 days of stay in the country. Currently, they may remain without police registration for up to 90 days. The introduction of this provision is aimed at increasing the effectiveness of migration control.

Overall, since the beginning of the year, nearly 12,000 Armenian citizens have entered Kazakhstan.

The Agreement also provides the possibility of extending the stay beyond 90 days in accordance with national legislation, subject to obtaining a temporary residence permit. This effectively abolishes the mutual visa regime, reducing expenses for citizens when traveling between the two countries.

In addition, the list of documents required for entry into the countries has been updated:

• For Armenian citizens – an identification card (the equivalent of an identity card in Kazakhstan);

• For Kazakh citizens – an identity card (currently a passport, including service and diplomatic passports, a seafarer’s identity card, or a return certificate).

“Kazakh citizens already enjoy visa-free entry to Russia and Kyrgyzstan with our national ID card. This measure simplifies the procedure for entry and stay, while also reducing the costs associated with obtaining passports,” Sadenov noted.