Kazakhstan, HK reach visa agreement

Almaty

The governments of Kazakhstan and Hong Kong have reached an agreement offering visa-free travel to citizens of both territories.

With effect from today (Thursday 26 July), Hong Kong passport holders can visit Kazakhstan for 14 days without needing to obtain a visa, while Kazakh nationals can similarly spend 14 days in Hong Kong on a visa-free basis.

The move comes as Kazakhstan’s national carrier, Air Astana plans to launch a new direct service between Almaty and Hong Kong. Commencing on 28 August, the service will be operated twice a week using a 166-seat, two-class Boeing 757 aircraft.

“I’m confident that the combination of visa-free travel and the launch of new direct services from Almaty to Hong Kong next month will result in major business and leisure traffic growth between these two exciting destinations,” said Ibrahim Canliel, Air Astana’s Vice President of Marketing & Sales.

By Mark Elliott, 26 July 2012, Thursday 7:02 AM