The talks between the authorities of the European Union and Kazakhstan about facilitating visas for the latter’s people have advanced.

Kazakhstani authorities have formally asked the EU to participate in the second round of talks over the simplification of the Schengen visa application process, as part of their initiative to facilitate travel to the EU for their residents.

The potential of having the second round of discussions on Schengen visa facilitation was addressed during a meeting between Kestutis Jankauskas, the EU ambassador to Kazakhstan, and Alibek Bakayev, the deputy foreign minister of Kazakhstan, according to the Astana Times.

The exact start date of the second round of negotiations was not made public, despite the Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledging that the subject of consultations was brought up during the meeting.

Kazakhstan hopes to reach a deal with the EU through these talks that would allow its people to apply for visas in Schengen Member States with fewer hassles.

Kazakhstan is pushing for shorter processing times for citizen visas, longer validity periods for Schengen visas, and lower consular fees. Kazakhstan wants to discuss a number of important issues during the negotiations, including these.

Authorities in Kazakhstan announced in December of the previous year that there were no longer any worries regarding illegal migration and that the nation had made progress in a number of areas. Concurrently, Kazakhstan announced its readiness to assist with the readmission of its nationals who might continue to reside in the EU without authorization.

Kazakhstan has repeatedly informed the EU that since 2017, EU nationals are permitted entrance without a visa. They have made it clear that what they want is not a visa-free travel agreement; rather, they want to make it easier for Kazakh nationals to apply for Schengen visas.

The EU Council reaffirmed in October 2023 that it was committed to enhancing collaboration with Kazakhstan and that it strongly supported the changes that the nation had carried out in a number of sectors.

Like nationals of other nations needing a visa to enter the Schengen Area, Kazakh nationals must apply for a Schengen visa with multiple documents, such as proof of lodging, a round-trip itinerary, proof of travel health insurance, and proof of sufficient funds.