Every way into Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan allows nationals of a defined list of countries to enter without a visa for short stays for tourism, visiting friends or family, and short business trips. Under the Law on a visa-free regime, citizens of a set of partner states (including Armenia, Belarus, Mongolia, Moldova, Russia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine) may stay up to 60 days, while a broader group of around 50 economically developed countries (including the EU member states, the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and the GCC states) may stay up to 30 days within any 60-day period. The exact duration depends on nationality, so travellers must verify their entitlement against the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs list before travel. No work is permitted on visa-free entry, and foreigners staying beyond the registration-free period must register with the migration authorities.

Max stay

60 days

The electronic tourist visa (category TS) is issued through the official portal evisa.e-gov.kg to nationals who are not eligible for visa-free entry, for tourism, visiting friends and relatives, and obtaining medical services. The visa is valid for entry within 90 days and permits a stay of up to 30 or 60 days depending on the option chosen. It is available as single or multiple entry, with fees that vary by stay length and number of entries (around USD 40 for a one-month single entry up to roughly USD 70 for multiple entry); an urgent service issues the visa in about 3 business days for a higher fee. The e-visa can currently be used only at designated international checkpoints, including Manas and Osh airports. It does not authorise employment.

Government fee

$40

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

60 days

Validity

90 days

The mountain tourism visa (category MT) is a dedicated short-stay category for mountaineering, trekking, climbing and skiing in Kyrgyzstan's high-altitude regions, reflecting the country's role as a Central Asian alpine destination. It permits a longer stay of up to 90 days, beyond the 60-day maximum of the standard tourist visa, to accommodate extended expeditions. The fee varies by stay length and entries. It does not authorise employment, and access to certain border or restricted mountain zones may require separate permits.

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

90 days

The transit visa (category TR) is for foreigners passing through Kyrgyzstan en route to a third country. It permits a short stay of up to 5 days and is issued via the e-visa portal or at a consulate. Applicants generally need to show a visa for the onward destination (where required) and a ticket confirming continued travel. The transit visa does not permit tourism beyond the transit period or any employment.

Government fee

$25

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

5 days

Validity

90 days

The electronic business visa (category B) is issued through evisa.e-gov.kg for non-commercial business activities such as negotiations, meetings, conferences, seminars and sports or cultural events. The visa permits a stay of up to 30 or 60 days and is available as single or multiple entry, with fees that scale by stay length and entries (roughly USD 60 for a one-month single entry up to about USD 93 for a 60-day multiple-entry visa); an urgent option issues the visa in around 3 business days at a higher fee. A business visa does not authorise local employment, which requires a work permit and the corresponding work (employment) category. The e-visa is accepted only at designated international checkpoints.

Government fee

$60

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

60 days

Validity

90 days

The study visa (category S) is for foreign nationals admitted to an accredited Kyrgyz educational institution. It is typically issued for an initial entry permitting a stay of up to 90 days, which is then extended in-country up to one year on the basis of confirmation from the institution and the Ministry of Education and Science, renewable for the duration of the programme. Students staying long-term generally obtain a temporary residence permit issued for study from the State Migration Service. The visa requires an admission or enrolment letter from the host institution. It permits study but not general employment.

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

90 days

Validity

365 days

Kyrgyzstan introduced a digital nomad status for foreign professionals in high-technology sectors after President Sadyr Japarov signed amendments to the Law on External Labour Migration in October 2024, establishing a permanent procedure and an online application platform. The status targets specialists in information and communication technologies, software development, the creative industries and related digital fields. It is initially granted for around 60 days and can then be extended for one year and renewed annually for up to ten years. Eligibility is limited to nationals of a defined list of roughly 61 countries, including both visa-free states and non-exempt countries such as Germany, Japan, South Korea, the UK and the USA. The status legalises remote and high-tech work in Kyrgyzstan.

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

365 days

Validity

365 days

Foreign nationals employed by a Kyrgyz employer require both an employment (work) visa and a work permit issued by the State Migration Service under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic. Employers must first secure a place under the annual foreign-labour quota, which is set by the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Migration by industry and region and is annulled if unused within three months of issuance. The work visa is generally issued for up to one year and is renewable while employment and the permit continue. Reception and consideration of applications are free of charge; a state fee under Government Decree No. 754 is payable only on issuance of the permit. From 1 January 2025 Kyrgyzstan introduced a Single Permit replacing the separate work permit and work visa under a single-window principle. The permit is tied to the specific employer.

Max stay

365 days

Validity

365 days

The investment visa (category I) is issued to a foreign investor or the head of a foreign-invested company, and their dependent family members, who contribute to the Kyrgyz economy. Since 15 March 2023 the visa is granted for 5 years for a contribution in monetary or material values of at least 10 million soms (about USD 115,000), and for 10 years for a contribution of at least 20 million soms (about USD 229,000), across eligible sectors such as industry, agriculture, banking, energy, education, medicine, construction and ICT. The visa allows the holder to freely enter and leave Kyrgyzstan, move within the country, and develop and manage their own business. This is an active-business investor route, not a passive golden visa; the investment must be genuine and documented. Family members (spouse, minor children and dependent parents) may be included.

Validity

1,825 days

Min. investment

KGS 115,000

Kyrgyzstan issues private-visit and family categories for visiting or joining relatives. The relatives visa (category RL) is for foreigners visiting family members, and the family-members category (FF) is for dependants of a foreigner holding a longer-term Kyrgyz visa or residence status. These categories can be issued for stays of up to one year and require evidence of the family relationship and an invitation from the relative or sponsor in Kyrgyzstan. They do not in themselves grant work rights; long-term family members generally regularise their stay through a temporary residence permit.

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

365 days

Validity

365 days

Kairylman is a special legal status for ethnic Kyrgyz who resettle, or wish to resettle, in Kyrgyzstan, and the corresponding ethnic-Kyrgyz visa (category M) facilitates their return. The status is granted by a special interdepartmental commission (including the State Committee for National Security, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Migration, and the Population Registration Department), with applications reviewed within about three months. Kairylman status is granted for three years, during which the holder is expected to apply for Kyrgyz citizenship, which is available on a simplified basis for ethnic Kyrgyz under a presidential order. Holders are eligible for state resettlement support, including transport-cost compensation, a lump-sum allowance, housing assistance, vocational training and help finding work.

Validity

1,095 days

The religion visa (category R) is for foreign nationals carrying out missionary or other religious activity in Kyrgyzstan. Religious and missionary activity is regulated by the State Commission for Religious Affairs, and foreign missionaries must be accredited and registered through a recognised religious organisation in addition to holding the visa. The visa is typically issued for short stays of up to 60 days and is extendable for those continuing accredited religious work. It does not authorise general secular employment.

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

60 days

The temporary residence permit is issued by the migration authorities to foreign nationals and stateless persons who intend to reside in Kyrgyzstan for work, study or investment activity. It is granted for one year and can be extended, with total temporary residence generally not exceeding five years. Applicants must usually have resided lawfully in Kyrgyzstan for at least six months before applying and file at the Ministry of Internal Affairs body nearest their place of stay. The application is reviewed within about one month. The permit underpins long-term work, study and investment stays and counts toward the residence period required for permanent residence.

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days

The permanent residence permit is issued to foreign nationals who have established sufficient ties to Kyrgyzstan, typically after a period of temporary residence. It is granted for five years, but not beyond the validity of the holder's foreign passport, and is renewable. Permanent residents enjoy broad rights to live and work in the country and have a stable basis for eventual naturalisation. The permit is administered by the State Migration Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Validity

1,825 days