Kazakhstan and Thailand agree on visa-free deal

The government of Kazakhstan has signed an agreement with Thailand for permanent visa-free travel. This deal allows Kazakhstani citizens to stay in Thailand for 30 days from the date of arrival and vice versa. Before this agreement, the two countries had a temporary visa-free regime to assess its necessity for their citizens.

Kazakhstan approved the permanent visa-free agreement with Thailand in April 2024, and it went into effect in August.

Under the agreement, Kazakhstani citizens can stay in Thailand without a visa for 30 days, including entry, exit and transit. A passport valid for at least six months is required. It is permitted to stay in Thailand for a total of 90 days within six months. For longer stays, a visa is still required.

The same rules apply to Thai citizens traveling to Kazakhstan.

The document also states that citizens of both countries must respect the rules and legislation of the state they arrive in. Additionally, each country’s authorities have the right to reject entry to any person considered unwelcome and to limit or terminate their stay.

The agreement will remain in force indefinitely.

Thailand introduced a temporary visa-free regime for Kazakhstani citizens in 2023. This regime lasted from Sept. 25, 2023, to Feb. 29, 2024. It was later extended for six months, from March 1, 2024, to Aug. 21, 2024. Thai authorities stated that this decision aimed to promote tourism. They also noted that after a «trial period,» they would analyze the results of the temporary visa-free regime with Kazakhstan.

Before the visa-free deal, Kazakhstani citizens had to pay a $64 fee upon arrival at airports in Thailand.