Kazakhstan’s MFA wants 30-day visa-free regime with Thailand to become permanent

Kazakhstanis will be able to stay in Thailand for 30 days straight as the country’s government wants to extend this temporary practice forever. In September 2023, the two countries agreed to introduce a 30-day visa-free period to see if this was necessary for their countries. This trial period expired on February 29, 2024.

According to a draft document, published on the legalacts.egov.kz website, Kazakhstanis will be able to travel to Thailand and stay there for 30 days visa-free. Those who want to stay longer should apply for a visa.

«The total amount of days Kazakhstani citizens can stay in Thailand visa-free shouldn’t exceed 90 days within 180 days,» the draft law says.

Similar rules will be applied for Thai citizens in Kazakhstan.

The document doesn’t mention any expiration date for the visa-free regime as it is going to stay in place for an indefinite period.

The draft law will be available for public consideration until March 29.

The context. In September 2023, the cabinet of ministers of Thailand approved a visa-free regime with Kazakhstan as a trial for the period from September 25, 2023, to February 29, 2024. At the time, the country’s government said that it would analyze the results of a visa-free regime to decide whether it must be extended.

In July 2023, Kazakhstan introduced a 14-day visa-free regime for citizens of China, India and Iran. People from these countries can’t stay in Kazakhstan longer than 42 days within 180 days.

Kazakhstan also has an agreement with Uzbekistan allowing its citizens to stay in the neighboring country for 30 days with no registration and vice versa.