The official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Aybek Smadiyarov, addressed the recent increase in Schengen visa refusals during a briefing. The Ministry is actively working towards simplifying the visa regime with the European Union. However, European consuls have reported a rise in cases of forged documents originating from Kazakhstan.
This surge in falsified documents has resulted in a higher rate of visa rejections, negatively impacting Kazakhstan's reputation and complicating negotiations for visa regime liberalization. Smadiyarov stressed that the submission of fraudulent documents leads to extended visa processing times as thorough verification becomes necessary.
Consequently, there has been an uptick in complaints from citizens regarding visa delays. Smadiyarov urged individuals to meticulously oversee the submission of required documents, visa applications, and fee payments. He highlighted that the most commonly forged documents include employment records, bank statements, and hotel reservation certificates.
Furthermore, on April 3, the Foreign Ministries of Kazakhstan and the Netherlands engaged in discussions regarding the relaxation of the visa regime for Kazakhstani citizens within the Schengen Zone. The dialogue aims to tackle the challenges encountered by Kazakhstani travelers and improve the visa application process for smoother travel to European countries.
