An important initiative to streamline travel protocols is being discussed within the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). According to OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev, a system may soon be introduced allowing citizens of Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan to travel to one another’s countries using only their internal ID cards instead of international passports.
This procedure is already fully operational between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, as well as between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan since September 1, 2023. Preparatory work is currently underway to extend this practice to other member states. However, as the project remains in the development stage, an exact implementation date has not yet been announced.
Which Countries Can Kazakhstanis Currently Visit with an ID Card?
Presently, citizens of Kazakhstan can enter Russia and Kyrgyzstan without a passport, using only their national ID card. Although an agreement regarding ID-card border crossings was also reached between Kazakhstan and Armenia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that a passport is still required for travel on this route. Additionally, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are holding negotiations to enable mutual passport-free travel based solely on national ID cards.
