The main reason why Schengen countries temporarily do not issue tourist visas is quarantine restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now 11 countries are open for citizens of Kazakhstan: Russia, Belarus, UAE, Germany, Egypt, Netherlands, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey and Ukraine.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan has published a full list of entry conditions on the official website of the Ministry.
Among the Schengen countries only Germany and the Netherlands formally opened borders for flights from Kazakhstan. However, the German embassy has suspended the issuance of visas even for special categories of citizens who are allowed to enter the country, for example, for family reunion or at the invitation of their employer. The Netherlands only issues diplomatic visas.
Conditions for entry into the Schengen countries
It is not known how long the situation with closed borders and the cancellation of tourist visas will last. In the conditions of restrictions, only citizens and holders of residence permits can enter the territory of the state without any hindrance. Upon arrival, a resident may be required to spend 14 days in a home quarantine.
In the absence of official flights, residents may use business aviation services. This is an opportunity to leave the country and visit the Schengen and European Union countries at a convenient time.
Therefore, an alternative solution in the absence of a Schengen visa is to apply for resident status in a European country. The fastest way to do this in the current situation is to obtain a residence permit for investment.
Residence permit and permanent residence permit investment programmes for visa-free travel to Schengen countries
The residence permit 一 of the EU member states allows you to retain your citizenship of Kazakhstan and gain freedom of visa-free travel through the Schengen.
In our experience, the two investment programmes most in demand are Malta's and Portugal's permanent residence permit. By participating in any of these programmes an investor receives a number of advantages and opportunities:
- Visa-free entry to Schengen countries with the possibility of staying in any country for up to 90 consecutive days every six months.
- Opportunity to move to a European country with a high standard of living, warm climate and well-developed infrastructure.
- Access to European banking services to store savings and speed up foreign exchange transactions.
- Ability to change tax residence and optimise taxation.
- Registration of a European residence permit for the entire family.
The Maltese permanent residence permit status for an investment can be obtained within 5-6 months. The minimum investment amount is 250 000 €.
Once granted the status, the investor will be able to enter Malta freely and live in the country without time constraints. However, the investor is not required to reside on the island either before or after becoming a resident.
Portugal's residence permit programme has the advantage of being able to obtain citizenship in 5 years. The period of registration through investment - from 2 to 6 months, depending on the number of applicants. The minimum investment amount is 250 000 €.
Under the programme, an investor must spend at least 7 days in the country as a resident during the first year. This may be a tourist trip to one of the local resorts.
The situation with the pandemic is developing unpredictably. The EU and Schengen countries are preparing to strengthen quarantine measures due to a possible second wave. It is difficult to predict how long the ban on tourist visas for third country nationals will last.
We recommend that you start processing residence permits for investments now.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed programme agent for Malta and Portugal. We provide full support to investors from the preparation of documents to the subsequent extension of residence permit and permanent residence permit.
