Kazakhstan extends open skies regime
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Kazakhstan has extended the open skies regime until the end of 2027 in line with the instructions of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan on expanding the geography of flights and increasing the number of international flights by the Civil Aviation Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development, Kazinform has learned from the ministry.
This regime allows lifting all limitations on the number of flights and providing the fifth freedom of the air to foreign air carriers on the routes where Kazakhstani air carriers do not operate.
The open skies regime was adopted at 12 international airports in the cities of Astana, Almaty, Taraz, Shymkent, Aktau, Semey, Karaganda, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Pavlodar, Petropavlovsk, Kokshetau, and Turkistan. The regime was also adopted at the Aliya Moldagulova International Airport in Aktobe to boost the region’s development.
According to the ministry, this regime helps attract new foreign air carriers, promote competitiveness between air carriers, open international routes, lower ticket costs, develop tourism and increase transport accessibility of Kazakhstani cities.
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Foreign Ministry Issues Advice for Kazakh Fans Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
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Kazakhstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged citizens planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico to obtain the necessary visas in advance, follow safety precautions and keep the contact details of Kazakhstan's diplomatic missions abroad readily available.
During the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, we urge citizens to exercise increased caution and pay close attention to personal safety," the ministry said.
The ministry advised Kazakh nationals to carry identification documents or copies of them at all times, comply with the requirements of local law enforcement agencies and event organisers, avoid large crowds outside official match zones, plan travel routes in advance and use official transportation services.
Citizens were also advised not to leave personal belongings unattended, to monitor announcements from local authorities and emergency services, and to immediately contact the nearest Kazakh diplomatic mission in the event of lost documents, detention, threats to life or health, or any other emergency situation.
The Foreign Ministry reminded travellers that Kazakh citizens require a valid US visa to enter the United States and a Canadian visa to travel to Canada.
For travel to Mexico, a Mexican visa issued by a Mexican consular office abroad is required. However, entry is also permitted for holders of documents confirming permanent residence in Canada, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom and Ireland, Schengen Area countries or Pacific Alliance member states, as well as holders of valid visas issued by those countries. Entry is also possible with an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) approved by Mexico, a seafarer's identity document for crew members, or valid aircraft crew status.
In the event of lost documents, detention, threats to life or health, or any other emergency, we ask citizens to immediately contact the nearest diplomatic mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan," the ministry stressed.
Contact details for Kazakhstan's diplomatic missions abroad are available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry Reminds Travellers of New Schengen Area Entry Rules
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Kazakhstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reminded travellers that the pilot version of the Entry/Exit System (EES) came into operation on 12 October 2025, automatically recording the entry and exit of citizens of non-EU countries.
The new system applies to travellers visiting European countries for short stays, including both holders of short-term visas and citizens of countries that enjoy visa-free travel arrangements. Cases of refusal of entry will also be recorded in the EES.
When crossing the border, the system collects and stores travel document details, personal information of the traveller, as well as the dates of entry and exit. In addition, the EES stores biometric data, including facial photographs and fingerprints.
The system stores:
- travel document information;
- dates and places of entry and exit;
- facial photographs and fingerprints;
- records of entry refusals.
Fingerprints of citizens from countries that do not require a visa to enter Europe will be stored in the EES database. For travellers who require a Schengen visa, such data will continue to be stored in the Visa Information System (VIS).
Where necessary, the EES will also be able to access information from the Visa Information System and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
The system will operate in all European Union member states except Cyprus and Ireland, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
The Foreign Ministry noted that travellers who refuse to provide biometric data may be denied entry to countries using the EES system.
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Filming of "Armour of God 4" Starring Jackie Chan Begins in Mangystau
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Filming has begun in Kazakhstan's Mangystau Region for the international feature film Armour of God 4: Ultimatum, starring legendary actor Jackie Chan, the regional administration said.
The project is being produced by Sәlem Entertainment and Dala Edge Creative Tech Park. The first scenes have already been filmed against the natural landscapes of the Mangystau Region.
One of the film's main shooting locations is the Bozzhyra tract. A 35-member film crew worked at the site from June 7 to June 12.
Production is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year, with the film's premiere expected in February 2027.
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International Year of Volunteers Unites 200,000 Kazakhstanis
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The International Year of Volunteers has brought together 200,000 Kazakhstanis since the beginning of 2026, the agency's correspondent reports.
In particular, compared to last year, a positive trend has been observed in the number of active volunteers participating in various initiatives and events. Their total number has reached 200,000 people.
As previously reported, 2026 was declared the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development by the United Nations at the initiative of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The initiative has provided a significant boost to the development of the volunteer movement in Kazakhstan.
One of the key events dedicated to the Year was the session titled "Volunteering and Environmental Action," held on April 23 in Astana as part of a regional environmental summit. The event was attended by United Nations Under-Secretary-General Haoliang Xu and around 200 participants from Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Japan and Afghanistan.
In addition, the volunteer community took part in a number of large-scale campaigns, including "Let Us Preserve Cultural Heritage Together," aimed at improving historical and cultural sites, the spring stage of the national Marathon of Good Deeds project, and the international Clean Shores Day of Unified Action campaign.
Since the beginning of the year, approximately 120,000 volunteers have also participated in the nationwide environmental campaign Taza Kazakhstan.
Today, under the instructions of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, a Concept for the Development of the Volunteer Movement through 2030 is being drafted. As part of this effort, focus-group meetings have been held in major cities across the country with the participation of more than 250 active volunteers. Around 120 proposals and recommendations have been collected. A separate environmental volunteering development program is also being prepared.
In addition, Kazakhstan plans to introduce a National Volunteering Development Index and a Digital Volunteer Passport later this year.
At present, volunteer activities in Kazakhstan are coordinated by the National Front Office. The country also operates 20 regional front offices, a unified call center and the online platform Qazvolunteer.kz, which has brought together more than 1,200 projects and 3,884 organizations. Currently, 56 volunteer projects and 60 small grant initiatives worth 1 million tenge each are being implemented.
In cooperation with the United Nations Volunteers programme, Kazakhstan is also considering the establishment of an Asian Volunteer Training Center at the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
Furthermore, under a fully funded international programme, five Kazakh volunteers have been deployed on overseas missions with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Argentina and China.
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Kazakh Foreign Ministry Names Countries Not Recommended for Travel
Kazakhstan's First Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev has provided updated information on countries that are not recommended for travel, an agency correspondent reports.
The epidemiological situation in a number of African countries remains difficult. The conflict in the Middle East is well known. Iran is currently not recommended for travel. We also advise against visiting several African countries," the deputy minister said.
Ashikbayev noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continuously monitors political, economic, and environmental developments around the world. Based on this information, government agencies issue travel advisories and recommendations for citizens.
The deputy minister also encouraged Kazakh citizens to consider travelling within Kazakhstan, emphasizing that domestic tourism not only offers an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the country's natural landscapes and cultural heritage, but also supports the development of the tourism sector.
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Kazakh Foreign Ministry: Around 45-46% of Kazakhstanis' U.S. Visa Applications Are Rejected
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Approximately 45–46% of visa applications submitted by Kazakh citizens for entry to the United States are denied, Kazakhstan's First Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev said during a briefing in the Senate, an agency correspondent reports.
Regarding visa refusals, this is a sovereign right of our partners. In many cases, such decisions are governed by issues related to access to private information and are not disclosed, including to us. Therefore, it is difficult to determine the exact number of such refusals. Some countries publish this type of data in the form of refusal rates," he said.
According to Ashikbayev, the global situation remains dynamic, and many countries regularly update their entry requirements for foreign nationals.
The deputy foreign minister also reminded Kazakh citizens of the importance of complying with the laws of the countries they visit or reside in.
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