Kazakhstan has not sent Moscow any notification about the possibility of introducing a fee for electronic travel authorization (ETA) for Russian citizens. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
This was stated in an interview with RIA Novosti by Alexander Sternik, director of the CIS Countries Department at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"We have not received any notification from our Kazakh colleagues on this issue. We have also not seen any official statements about this so far," he said.
Information about the pilot regime
Earlier, Russia's trade representative in Kazakhstan, Anton Loginov, reported that the electronic entry permit for Russians is currently operating in pilot mode.
According to the Kazakh MFA, obtaining it is currently neither mandatory nor paid.
Legislative changes
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a document on June 24 providing for amendments to the law on migration issues. The document entered into force on August 25.
Until November 1, the QazETA (Kazakhstan Electronic Travel Authorization) electronic entry permit system for foreign citizens operates in pilot mode.
Implementation schedule
From November 1, the permit will become mandatory for passengers on international air flights.
From November 15, it will be required for those entering through automobile checkpoints on the border with countries not in the EAEU.
From November 30, it will be required at automobile checkpoints on the border with EAEU countries.
From December 15, it will be required for train passengers and those arriving through seaports.