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Citizenship

Kazakhstan Considers Criminal Penalties for Dual Citizenship

Kazakhstan may soon introduce criminal liability for holding dual citizenship, a significant escalation from the current administrative penalties. The proposal was raised by Mazhilis deputy Bolatbek Nazhmetdinuly during the opening plenary session of the lower house of parliament’s new legislative term. Under Article 10, paragraph 3 of the Constitution and Article 3 of the Law “On Citizenship of the Republic of Kazakhstan,” Kazakh citizens are prohibited from holding citizenship of another country. Currently, violations are treated as administrative offenses and are punishable by fines of up to 300 Monthly Calculation Indexes (MRP), equivalent to nearly 1.2 million tenge (approximately $2,200) or administrative expulsion. Deputy Nazhmetdinuly argued that these measures are inadequate. “Those who hold second citizenship are no longer Kazakhstani. They do not feel a part of this country; they enjoy rights without fulfilling obligations. Often, they are beyond the reach of law enforcement due to extradition restrictions. We are aware of many such cases. That is why I will advocate for tougher penalties, up to and including criminal liability. I am confident my colleagues will support this initiative. Is the Ministry of Internal Affairs ready to back it?” he asked Interior Minister Yerzhan Sadenov. Minister Sadenov responded that the ministry would act in accordance with any new legal norms adopted by parliament. According to the Border Service of the National Security Committee (NSC), 1,190 cases of dual citizenship were identified at Kazakhstan’s borders in 2024, including 91 cases in January 2025 alone. Domestically, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) held 675 individuals administratively accountable for dual citizenship in 2024. Of these, 565 had acquired Russian citizenship, while others held citizenship from Turkey (26 cases), the United States (22), and Germany (11). Of those charged, 526 paid fines, while 149 were expelled from Kazakhstan. In January 2025, another 66 individuals were penalized, including 64 for acquiring Russian citizenship and one each for German and Kyrgyz citizenship. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the government continues to support the repatriation of ethnic Kazakhs. As of early 2025, 65 ethnic Kazakhs holding foreign citizenship had received "Ata Zholy" cards, which grant the right to live and work in Kazakhstan for up to ten years.

Headscarf Debate

Uzbek Politician Calls for Passport Photo Rule Change Amid Headscarf Debate

Alisher Qodirov, leader of Uzbekistan’s Milliy Tiklanish (National Revival) Democratic Party, has called for an end to the practice of requiring women to remove headscarves when taking passport photographs. In a statement on his Telegram channel, Qodirov affirmed that Uzbekistan’s status as a secular state is beyond question but argued that secularism should not infringe on personal freedoms. Prosperity Without Discrimination “A secular state, governed by laws adopted by a popularly elected parliament and approved by a popularly elected president, allows citizens to live as they choose, as long as they do not violate the law,” Qodirov said. “Our priority is to ensure that citizens of all nationalities and beliefs can strive for prosperity without discrimination. Everyone is equal, and no one should be demeaned.” Drawing analogies, Qodirov said that just as one citizen may choose to drink beer and another may choose not to, without having to explain themselves, women should be free to cover their hair if it aligns with their beliefs. “Advertising alcohol is prohibited by law, but if a political force wins a parliamentary majority, it could change the law, making alcohol a ‘national value’ or same-sex marriage a free choice. You grant that right,” he added. Qodirov emphasized that all social development must rest on values. Referring to pop star Jennifer Lopez’s recent concert in Tashkent, he said: “If Jennifer Lopez wants to perform at a private, ticketed concert, as long as she doesn’t distribute drugs or promote anti-state ideas, that’s her choice. Showing her body is her decision; watching it is the decision of those who bought tickets. That’s secularism.” By the same logic, he continued, “A woman who chooses to wear a headscarf is protected by law. We accepted public nudity as secularism; we must also accept the right to cover up. Just as we don’t tell Lopez how to dress, we shouldn’t dictate how religious women wear their headscarves nor should we force women, who have lived by their faith for years, to remove them for passport photos. Identification requirements demand an open face, not uncovered hair. Let’s extend the same tolerance to devout women as we do to Lopez.” He concluded that secularism means equality for both believers and non-believers, “not the strong lecturing the weak about life.” Mixed Reactions to Lopez Concert Lopez’s August 7 performance at Tashkent’s Bunyodkor Stadium, part of her “Up All Night – Live in 2025” world tour, drew mixed reactions online. Some praised her discipline and appearance, while others criticized her revealing outfits. Psychogenetics specialist Maryam Mahmudova told her Instagram followers that Lopez’s appearance reflected years of disciplined self-care. “At 56, she maintains her figure thanks to discipline. We, on the other hand, often feel worn out before 40, with no goals or passion. We have no right to judge anyone, instead, we should learn discipline from her, because discipline is a form of self-love,” she said. Neurologist Bahtigul Holmurodova, who followed the concert via social media, commented: “Yesterday, JLo once again showed all Uzbeks what...

travel

Kazakhstan Leads Central Asia in Latest Global Passport Rankings

Kazakhstan holds the most powerful passport in Central Asia, according to the latest update of the Henley Passport Index. The index ranks 199 passports by the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. Kazakh citizens can now travel to 79 countries visa-free. Following Kazakhstan in the regional ranking is Kyrgyzstan, whose passport ranks 73rd globally with access to 63 countries. Uzbekistan is close behind in 74th place, with 62 visa-free destinations. Tajikistan ranks 80th (56 countries), while Turkmenistan trails at 85th, with just 49 destinations accessible without a visa. The Henley Passport Index calculates scores by awarding one point for each destination where no visa is required, or where travelers can obtain a visa on arrival, a visitor’s permit, or an electronic travel authorization. A score of zero is assigned if a visa is required prior to departure or if government pre-approval is needed for a visa on arrival. On the global stage, Singapore retains the top spot for the second consecutive year, granting its passport holders visa-free access to 193 countries. Japan and South Korea share second place, each offering visa-free travel to 190 destinations. The top ten is dominated by European countries. The Times of Central Asia previously reported on last year’s edition of the Henley Passport Index and its implications for mobility in the region.

Industrial Hemp

Kazakhstan to Use Industrial Hemp for Passport Production

Kazakhstan will begin producing high-security paper from domestically cultivated industrial hemp, which will be used in the manufacture of passports and national ID cards, the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has announced. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakh authorities first considered cultivating industrial hemp in 2016, though the initiative remained dormant until recently. In spring 2025, a draft law legalizing the cultivation of non-narcotic hemp was submitted to parliament. It was approved by deputies in June and subsequently signed into law by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The legislation authorizes the government to determine which hemp varieties are eligible for industrial use, explicitly excluding strains used for narcotics, and outlines procedures for cultivation and processing. High-Security Applications and Export Potential At a government briefing on Tuesday, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov explained the rationale behind the initiative. “The main product will be high-security paper, which is a valuable export commodity used for the production of identification documents such as passports and other special forms,” Sultanov said. “The range of products being considered by the investor is wide. Market demand will be taken into account, and we believe all the output will go for export.” The North Kazakhstan Region is currently being considered as the site for the production facility. Regulated THC Levels and Licenses Issued Earlier, the Ministry of Agriculture confirmed that the allowed level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis, in cultivated industrial hemp would not exceed 0.3%. In contrast, wild hemp found in Kazakhstan can contain up to 15% THC, rendering the industrial variant non-psychoactive. Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Sanjar Adilov noted in April that four licenses for industrial hemp cultivation had already been issued. One licensed farming enterprise in Kostanay Region, adjacent to North Kazakhstan Region, is already engaged in hemp cultivation and processing.