Essence of the Proposals
As part of the amendments, Article 6, which pertains to the rules for entry, stay, and transit of foreign citizens in Kyrgyzstan, will be amended.The essence of the amendment is as follows:
Goals of the Changes
The justification for the proposed changes outlines several goals:- protection of the right to family life and maintenance of ties with relatives for citizens who have close connections with Kyrgyz nationals;
- humanization of the country's migration legislation regarding the regulation of the stay of visa-free foreigners;
- prevention of negative humanitarian consequences from the formal application of migration norms;
- creation of legal conditions for a more equitable approach to migration regulation, taking into account international experience;
- reduction of risks of entry restrictions for those who maintain stable family and social ties with Kyrgyzstan.
Currently, for foreign citizens benefiting from a visa-free regime, the duration of stay must not exceed 60 days within a 120-day period unless otherwise stipulated by law. However, the practice of applying such restrictions in other countries shows significant risks for people with close family ties outside the country.
According to information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, as of September 1, 2025, new rules came into effect in Kazakhstan, establishing a duration of stay for Kyrgyz citizens at 90 days within a 180-day period. Exceeding this period leads to entry restrictions. These norms have already resulted in several high-profile cases related to errors in tracking durations and the formal application of migration rules:
- The case of Dina Karimzhanova: she was denied entry on December 17, 2025, despite having actually stayed in Kazakhstan for 45 days, while the documents indicated 405 days. This led to a prolonged separation from her family, as she works in a medical institution in Kazakhstan, while her family and children live in Kyrgyzstan.
- The case of Furhatjan Ruzayev: he was denied entry on December 13, 2025, after having actually stayed in Kazakhstan for 13 days, while the act mentioned 201 days. This prevented him from visiting his elderly parents in Kyrgyzstan during the holidays.
Dastan Bekeshev emphasized that the adoption of this bill will create a legal mechanism for protecting family ties and reduce the likelihood of humanitarian and social conflicts.
