Kazakhstan changed conditions for issuing A-5 visas to investors
Now investors can online apply and receive the Investor Visa Referral Letter of the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan within 5 working days via the portal elicense.kz. The submission of documents for the application is also temporarily available through the Public Service Centers, in this case the processing time will not exceed 11 working days. Additionally, according to the novelties, individuals can also apply for the application of the authorized investment agency.
Investor visas are granted only to the heads of legal entities and individuals carrying out investment activities in the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as to their family members. This category of visa has no restrictions related to the period of stay in the country until its planned end date. While a business visa holder can stay in Kazakhstan for no more than 60 days at each entry.
It’s worth noting that the procedure to apply for A-5 investor visa includes 3 public services: receiving an Investor Visa Referral Letter from an authorized investment agency, an invitation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and an investor visa at the overseas offices of Kazakhstan.
“Due to the spread of the coronavirus infection (COVID-19), business activities have slowed down as expected, there is a global decline in investment flows. It's time for us to do our domestic activities and optimize our processes. We have recently digitized the public service for concluding an investment contract, as well as we simplified and automated the visa and migration services”, said the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Almas Aidarov.
For the period of quarantine restrictions from May 11, 2020, foreign citizens are allowed to enter the territory of Kazakhstan when crossing the border only if they have the permission of a special Interdepartmental Commission, which considers each case individually. All incoming foreigners must comply with anti-epidemic requirements.