The Delegation of the European Union in Kazakhstan stated that the former procedure for issuing Schengen visas remains for the citizens of the country, Centralasianlight.org reported.

The Consulate in Kazakhstan makes a decision on issuing visas within 15 days. This period can be extended up to 45 days in exceptional cases or if additional documents are required, the EU Consulate announced.

The representative office clarified that the preliminary consultations introduced for Kazakhstan are a standard procedure that takes place within the standard 15 days of consideration.

‘The introduction of preliminary consultations for Kazakhstan under the Schengen Information System has nothing to do with the excellent relations between the EU and Kazakhstan,’ the ministry said.

On February 24, a number of Kazakhstani media reported that the country was included in the “List of mandatory consultations, unofficially referred to as the “Schengen black list””, the criteria of which “are not officially voiced.” It allegedly includes states with an unstable socio-political situation that pose a migration threat to the EU. The introduction of consultations from March 1, 2023 was associated with this measure. The publications also claimed that Belarus was included in this list.

There was no official confirmation from the European Union about the existence of the list. Evidence of the inclusion of Belarus and Kazakhstan in it was not presented.

Source: Kyrgyz National News Agency