Armenia, Kazakhstan confirm 90-day visa free travel, ratify migration cooperation agreements

The Parliament of Kazakhstan on September 3 ratified two agreements signed with Armenia on cooperation in migration and the procedure for the stay of citizens in the territories of the two countries, the Kazakh Parliament said on Telegram.

Under the agreements, the period of stay for citizens of Kazakhstan and Armenia remains unchanged at 90 days within a six-month period from the moment of crossing the border. After this period, Armenian citizens will be able to remain in Kazakhstan on the basis of a temporary residence permit for work, study, business, family reunification and other purposes. Currently, a visa is required for these purposes.

The Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Migration, signed on April 15, 2024 in Yerevan, was also ratified. It provides for the exchange of information between Armenian and Kazakh migration authorities regarding citizens, violations of migration legislation and other related matters. In addition, issues pertaining to the legal status of citizens residing in the respective country will be jointly discussed, and assistance will be provided in resolving arising matters.

The agreement allows refusal to fulfill requests if they pose a threat to sovereignty and security or contradict national legislation.

During parliamentary discussions, Kazakhstan’s Interior Minister Yerzhan Sadenov reported that around 12,000 Armenian citizens have entered the country since the beginning of the year. Currently, 2,134 Armenians are working in Kazakhstan, compared to 2,623 last year.