Kazakhstan and the Benelux countries (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) have signed a protocol granting visa-free entry for service passport holders. The signing ceremony took place at the Benelux General Secretariat in Brussels, with Kazakhstan represented by Ambassador Margulan Baimukhan, and the Benelux countries represented by Belgium’s Director-General of Consular Services Joris Salden, Luxembourg’s Ambassador Jean-Louis Thill, and Deputy Ambassador of the Netherlands Max Walstar. The protocol extends the 2015 agreement on visa-free travel for diplomatic passport holders, now allowing service passport holders to travel visa-free for up to 90 days.

Ambassador Baimukhan noted that Brussels hosts over 200 foreign diplomatic missions and 120 international organizations, including EU institutions and other organizations frequently welcoming Kazakh delegations. He emphasized that the visa-free arrangement will reduce bureaucratic barriers and foster a smoother exchange between governmental agencies, enhancing efficiency for official work. This protocol reflects both parties’ commitment to advancing international cooperation and creating a more streamlined framework for government officials to fulfill their duties.

The protocol will come into effect 30 days after the final written notice is received through diplomatic channels, signifying the completion of internal state procedures. To date, Kazakhstan has visa-free agreements with 96 countries for diplomatic passport holders, 77 for service passport holders, and 43 for national passport holders. The Benelux, a union of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, promotes the free movement of people, goods, capital, and services within its borders.