EU visa facilitation for Kazakhstan travellers nears final phase after Belgian visit

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium paid their first state visit to Kazakhstan from 12 to 14 October 2026, putting tourism, cultural exchange and transport links alongside energy, critical minerals and artificial intelligence in talks with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. It was Belgium's first state visit to Central Asia and Philippe's first trip to Kazakhstan as King; he had previously visited as Crown Prince in 2002, 2009 and 2010.

Key facts

• State visit took place from 12 to 14 October 2026 in Astana and Almaty
• Tourism was singled out by the King at the fourth Kazakh-Belgian Business Council on 13 October
• Kazakhstan recorded 15.7 million foreign visits in 2025, including 11.1 million tourism visits
• More than 20 agreements and memorandums signed between 29 universities and research organisations
• Discussions covered the Middle Corridor transport route and links between Antwerp-Bruges and Kazakhstan's Caspian ports

What did the visit include?

The programme combined high-level meetings with President Tokayev, a business council, a rectors' forum and cultural engagements in Astana and Almaty. Alongside economic priorities such as critical minerals, energy and artificial intelligence, the agenda highlighted opportunities to encourage travel, connect cultural institutions and expand exchanges between students, researchers and businesses.

What was said about tourism?

Tourism featured in the King's address to the fourth Kazakh-Belgian Business Council on 13 October, where he identified the sector as an area with considerable potential for closer cooperation. He described Kazakhstan's landscapes and cultural heritage and said he was confident more Belgians would discover the country in the coming years.

Kazakhstan recorded 15.7 million foreign visits in 2025, of which 11.1 million were classified as tourism visits, while investment in the sector reached approximately €2.4 billion. Accommodation capacity grew by 179 facilities and more than 7,000 beds, bringing the national total to 4,482 establishments with over 232,000 beds.

The itinerary pointed to two destinations: Astana, with its contemporary architecture and national museums and institutions, and Almaty, with cultural attractions and access to the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains.

What was agreed on culture and universities?

On 13 October Tokayev accompanied the royal couple to the National Museum of Kazakhstan in Astana, where works by Belgian artist James Ensor were displayed alongside the museum's presentation of Kazakhstan's heritage. The visit ended at the Almaty Museum of Arts, including a performance organised with KANAL-Centre Pompidou in Brussels.

The Kazakhstan-Belgium Rectors' Forum brought leaders from 29 universities and research organisations to Astana's Alem.ai International Centre, where more than 20 agreements and memorandums were signed on academic mobility, joint programmes and research. Ghent University, KU Leuven and the University of Mons were among the participating Belgian institutions.

What is happening with visas and transport?

As of March, Kazakhstan and the European Union were approaching the final phase of negotiations on visa facilitation, alongside discussions on readmission. Any future agreement could simplify procedures for Kazakh citizens travelling to Europe for tourism, business and study. No such changes are in effect yet, and no date has been announced. The two countries also welcomed the entry into force of a protocol, although what that protocol covers is not stated.

On transport, the two leaders highlighted the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, known as the Middle Corridor, in their joint statement. Tokayev proposed closer practical cooperation between the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Kazakhstan's Caspian ports of Aktau and Kuryk, with discussions focused on freight connectivity and supply chains.

What this means for travellers

No entry or visa rules for visitors to Kazakhstan changed as a result of the visit. The practical effect on travel remains in the future: any EU–Kazakhstan visa facilitation deal would mainly benefit Kazakh citizens heading to Europe. Travellers should continue to check current entry requirements before booking, since no new procedures have taken effect.

Next steps to watch are the conclusion of the EU–Kazakhstan visa facilitation and readmission negotiations, for which no signing or start date has been given, and the follow-up to the university and cultural agreements reached during the visit.