Memo for Tourists from Kyrgyzstan

Memo for Kyrgyz Travelers

This memo contains important information for all travelers and rules that will help you avoid difficulties during your trip.

Before leaving for the airport, we kindly ask you to check for the following documents:

1. Foreign passports
2. Travel documents
3. Vouchers, travel packages, insurance policies
4. Bank certificate for currency export (if required)
5. Driver's license (if you plan to rent a car)
6. Powers of attorney and documents confirming kinship for children (if required)

It is necessary to know the exact name of the area and hotel you are heading to.

MEMO FOR TOURISTS DEPARTURE/ARRIVAL FROM/TO KR (CROSSING THE STATE BORDER)

When crossing the state border, customs control for tourists is done independently both ways.

1.1. Customs Control.

It is well known that knowledge is power. To avoid troubles for those departing and arriving from/to abroad, it is important to know what is allowed and what is not. The fact is that you always go through customs control alone, regardless of your social or other status. You are solely responsible for the goods you carry, even if the package belongs to your good friend or beloved grandmother.

Our task is to briefly outline the rules of customs control for tourists.

First of all, when crossing the state border, you must fill out a customs declaration, in which you should provide answers to all the questions asked. This affects the level of attention customs officials will pay to you and your luggage. Additionally, the declaration is the main document confirming the owner's right to temporarily import/export items abroad.

Pay special attention to item 3 of the declaration: the amount of cash currency without mandatory declaration should not exceed $3000. If you have currency exceeding this amount, you must declare it in the declaration; permission for export is not required. In addition to currency, you must indicate any currency valuables, precious metals, and items made of precious metals and stones in any form and condition, specifying their quantity and approximate value; otherwise, on your return, you will have to pay a tax on the import of these items.

You can import and export currency to Kyrgyzstan without restrictions, provided you declare it if the amount exceeds 3000 US dollars equivalent.

Positive answers to the other points in the declaration can lead to inevitable questions for you. It is understandable, as it lists the presence of weapons, drugs, radioactive and toxic substances, etc. To be fair, it should be noted that the aforementioned items and substances are not prohibited for import and export, but only with permission from government authorities.

Special attention should be given to the issue of crossing the border with animals. To travel with pets, you will need a veterinary certificate with the stamp of the controlling government authority, meeting the requirements of the country to which the animal is being imported. This does not apply to rare species of animals, for which a more substantial list of documents is required for export.

Customs rules also apply to the import/export of cultural valuables. The list is quite extensive, and if you have such items in your luggage, it is better to consult a specialist, although you can confidently bring a Kyrgyz hat.

Ignorance of the law, as is known, does not exempt from responsibility. Moreover, the value of any item subject to customs duties is determined by the customs inspector based on the price at which the item (or similar item) is sold and the costs of its delivery. Customs duties are charged on all goods imported and exported from Kyrgyzstan under certain conditions and quantities.

LIST
Of goods whose temporary import (export) is allowed without payment of customs duties and taxes
1. Clothing, headwear, footwear.
2. Toiletries.
3. Personal jewelry.
4. Photo, film, video cameras and accessories.
5. Portable slide and film projectors and accessories.
6. Portable musical instruments.
7. Portable sound recording devices (including dictaphones) with tapes, sound reproduction and video playback equipment and accessories.
8. Portable radios.
9. Portable televisions.
10. Portable calculators.
11. Portable personal computers.
12. Binoculars.
13. Children's strollers.
14. Wheelchairs.
15. Sports equipment and accessories.
16. Portable dialysis machines and similar medical devices.
17. One mobile phone per person.

When importing, customs control begins at the moment goods cross the customs border of the KR by transport vehicles.

When exporting, customs control begins at the moment the customs declaration is accepted. During customs control and customs clearance of goods transported across the customs border of the KR by individuals, customs authorities may apply a technological system of "red" and "green" channels at the checkpoints. The "red" channel is used for written declaration of goods transported across the customs border of the KR. The "green" channel is for declaring such goods in an implicit (verbal) form. The customs authority must organize an information zone directly before the 2-channel system so that individuals can make a clear choice of the form of declaring goods and the corresponding channel. The customs authority is obliged to timely make necessary changes to the informational materials.

In the information zone, customs officials should be present to assist individuals and carry out operational work.

The "green" channel may be temporarily closed by a reasoned decision of the head of the customs authority. The channels are located outside the baggage claim area so that individuals have their accompanied luggage when choosing a channel.

Entrance to the "red" channel is marked by a special symbol in the form of a red square on a white background, as well as inscriptions "Red Channel" and "Goods Subject to Mandatory Written Declaration" in Kyrgyz, Russian, and English, done in red.

The entrance to the "green" channel is marked by a green (white) line up to 50 cm wide. Moving goods across this line is considered a declaration by the individual that the goods they are transporting across the customs border do not require mandatory written declaration.

The "red" and "green" channels are marked with the inscriptions "Customs" in Kyrgyz, Russian, and English. When individuals choose the "green" channel, the customs declaration in written form is not filled out or submitted. In the "green" channel, customs control is conducted selectively.

If necessary, customs officials may use any forms of customs control provided for by the Customs Code of the KR.

1.2. Check-in.

Remember that the fact of paying for airline tickets means entering into a contract between the passenger and the airline. The terms of this contract are outlined on the airline ticket. A discrepancy of up to 3 characters in the passenger's surname on a charter flight ticket is allowed.

Check-in for international flights usually starts two and a half hours before departure and ends 50 minutes before departure. First and business class passengers check in out of turn or at separate counters.

It is better to check in as early as possible, as in case of overbooking, check-in may be closed early, and you may miss your flight.

At the check-in counter, you will receive a boarding pass indicating the flight number, seat number, and gate number. All questions about your seat number are resolved only here. Please note that on some flights, there may be a smoking section on the plane, usually starting from row 23. If you are traveling with a child or are sensitive to smoke, you should request seats in the non-smoking section.

Keep the baggage receipt and the special baggage declaration, if filled out, as in case of lost luggage at the airport, this will facilitate the search for the luggage and obtaining compensation.

1.3. Border Control.

Border control is the last and most important stage. Violations of entry and exit rules are subject to various types of responsibility, from administrative to criminal.

The basis for allowing individuals to cross the State border is the presence of valid documents. The main document confirming the identity of a tourist (citizen of the KR) outside the KR is a foreign passport. We recommend that you check your passport before arranging your tour: validity period, accuracy of entries, presence and condition of the stamp on the photo, presence of your signature, absence of corrections, erasures, etc.

It is advisable not to change identifying features (nose, ears, lips, hairstyle, and hair color). Border guards will ask for your foreign passport and boarding pass.

When parents (legal representatives) are traveling abroad with minor children, do not forget to bring documents confirming kinship or the rights of the legal representative (birth certificate, power of attorney, etc.).

When a minor citizen is leaving the KR without the accompaniment of legal representatives (or with one of the parents), they must have, in addition to their passport, a notarized consent from the legal representatives (or the other parent) for their departure from the KR. This document must specify the duration of the trip and the countries to be visited.

If your passport and all necessary documents are in order, you will pass through border control, which will be evidenced by a stamp in your passport indicating the crossing of the border at this checkpoint.

2. HOW TO RETURN TO KYRGYZSTAN

Leaving the Kyrgyz Republic has become a common, if not routine event for our citizens, and the level of knowledge about the legal aspects of entering and exiting abroad has significantly increased. However, the overwhelming majority of compatriots have no idea what to do in case of losing their foreign passport abroad. How the document confirming your identity was lost is a purely individual question: it can be due to carelessness, forgetfulness, inattentiveness, haste, and thousands of other reasons. Theft occurs in all countries of the world; however, the fact remains. The situation is critical, but it should not be dramatized. A solution will be found. The diplomatic representation or consulate of the Kyrgyz Republic in the country where you are staying is obliged to issue you a certificate for entry (return) to the Kyrgyz Republic, but this is a rather complicated process. By the way, if you have not lost your foreign passport but its validity has expired, you will have to go through the same steps.

First of all, the certificate is issued based on a written application and only for the duration necessary for departure, but not exceeding 15 days from the date of receipt, upon acknowledgment of receipt by the applicant. When submitting the application, a citizen of the KR must provide a number of documents.

First, a certificate (protocol, etc.) from the competent authorities of the host country confirming the fact of reporting the loss of the passport. This means that immediately after discovering the loss, you must notify the local police (law enforcement agency, gendarmerie, etc.) and file a report. Only after this will you receive a certificate. However, there is one nuance here—the report must be written in the language of the host country. Look for a translator!

Second, you need to take a photo (two 4x6 photos, color or black and white, but must be matte, not glossy). The photos are glued into the certificate.

Third, you need documents that allow you to identify your identity, establish your residence, and confirm your citizenship (military ID, service ID with photo, driver's license, etc., but it is better to have a photocopy of your foreign passport). If you do not have the above-mentioned documents, your identity must be confirmed in writing by at least two citizens of Kyrgyzstan, so you will have to wait for a response to the inquiry about you from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the KR. This procedure can take a long time, but you will still receive the certificate.

Another important issue is the payment for consular services. Our diplomatic institutions are obliged to charge for services, but if cash was lost along with the passport, the issue must be resolved individually and varies in each country. We recommend having a plastic card, but if you do not have one, you will not be left without assistance. You are a citizen of the KR! You will not be denied entry into the country by law, but you will not receive money from the consular office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the KR.

Finally, you have the certificate in your hands. All that remains is to buy a ticket—and go home! Unfortunately, it is not that simple. Upon arrival in Kyrgyzstan, you will be "taken care of" by border guards. This may take about three hours. It is good if your relatives, friends, or acquaintances meet you with documents confirming your identity. In this case, the procedure will be minimized. Call them and inform them of the loss of your passport—this will alleviate the stressful situation. And that’s not all. Upon arrival in Kyrgyzstan, you must return the certificate with the stamps from the border service to the organization that issued your passport within three days, and the certificate itself is valid and considered an identity document for 10 days from the moment of crossing the border. After that, you need to obtain a new foreign passport. Please do not lose your documents!

3. WHAT IS A "SCHENGEN VISA"

So what kind of visa is this that allows you to cross the borders of fifty countries without problems?

On June 14, 1985, in the city of Schengen (Luxembourg), a number of countries signed an Agreement on the gradual abolition of controls at their common borders to facilitate the movement of citizens, goods, and services, i.e., the creation of a single visa space.

For citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic, this means the opportunity to travel across the borders of any of the countries, such as Belgium, Greece, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, France, Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland. This opportunity remains to this day, but it should be noted:

The determining factors for obtaining this type of visa are primarily their general focus on requirements. The validity period for the visa is limited to 90 days. Additionally, the entrant must have a foreign passport of the established sample (KR), the validity of which must expire no less than 3 months after the end of the trip.

Undoubtedly, certified documents confirming the purpose and nature of your trip to the destination are required. Additionally, your creditworthiness (documented at the rate of $100 per day) will convince them of the seriousness of your intentions. It would be much better if you have a return ticket or a fixed amount for its purchase. An international medical insurance certificate is simply mandatory, just in case...

If you have previously violated any requirements of the countries in this zone, or worse, if you pose a threat to public order, national security, or international relations of the participating countries, entry into this group of countries will not happen.

Practice shows that entry through the country that issued the Schengen visa is mandatory. This is explained by the desire of the participating country to receive financial returns from the entrant. If you violate this requirement, you will most likely be denied the next visa.

There are cases of refusal of entry into the country if the visa was issued by another state. By the way, changing the purpose of the trip can also be a reason for refusal of entry.

National visas exist for each of the mentioned countries; they are cheaper but exclude the right to visit other countries except for the one that issued the visa.

It should be noted the so-called risk group, which includes individuals most prone to refusals in obtaining visas from Schengen Agreement countries. The embassies of these countries are cautious about young women traveling alone and families traveling in full composition. This is the practice of the embassies. They usually do not explain their refusal to issue a visa.

And finally, I would like to remind my fellow citizens that from the moment you cross the border, you fall under the jurisdiction of the host country. Abide by the laws of this country; your status as a foreigner will not help you.

4. EXITING A CHILD ABROAD.

You are planning a family vacation and sometimes do not even think about how to leave Kyrgyzstan with a child. After all, this is your child; where and with whom he should be is your decision. However, the legislation clearly defines your responsibilities in this case. The child’s exit must be permitted by documents confirming their identity.

You have the right to include your child in your foreign passport with or without a photo and travel abroad with them (by the way, in this case, you will not have to pay for a visa for the child to the host country).

If you plan to send your child without your accompaniment, then your son or daughter, in addition to their foreign passport, must have a notarized consent for departure from the KR from both parents, adoptive parents, guardians, or custodians. In cases where a minor citizen plans to leave the country for more than 3 months, this consent must be certified by the guardianship or custody authorities.

By the way, it should be noted that if one of the parents, adoptive parents, guardians, or custodians learns of your plans and expresses their disagreement with your decision, your dispute can only be resolved in court. In any case, the responsibility for the life and health of minor citizens, the protection of their rights and legitimate interests outside the Kyrgyz Republic rests with the parents or individuals with equal rights. When organized groups of minor citizens of the KR travel abroad without parental accompaniment, the responsibilities of legal representatives are performed by the leaders of the traveling groups. They bear full responsibility for the child. It should be noted that border guards are only interested in the foreign passport and the notarized consent for the child's departure, while checking for the presence of a visa for exit to a foreign state is the responsibility of the transport company, i.e., the passenger carrier. However, this does not reduce the level of control at the border.

We advise you to definitely obtain a medical insurance policy for your child. It is better if it is not needed, but it is necessary to have it, and it is not expensive.

And finally, write down the phone numbers that your child can call in various situations while in the host country. Hopefully, this will not be necessary.

5. HOW TO BEHAVE ON THE STREET ABROAD

1. Make a photocopy of your personal documents, and if possible, do not carry the originals with you.
2. Do not disclose your hotel room number and its name to strangers.
3. In case of theft or loss of travel checks or credit cards, immediately cancel them. To do this, call your bank.
4. On the street, avoid street demonstrations and other situations with large crowds. Crowds are a favorite place for pickpockets. When traveling on public transport, prepare your fare in advance. Do not give strangers the opportunity to remember where you keep your money and valuables.
5. Do not carry large sums of money without special need. Under no circumstances carry money in handbags.
6. Do not wear jewelry on the street.
7. If you are going on an excursion as a group, ask the driver not to leave the bus during stops.
8. Carry cameras and camcorders on a strap and only across your shoulder.
9. Refuse offers of flowers and other items, as such actions are aimed at distracting your attention and facilitating the thief's task. Avoid street card or dice players—they always work in groups, and you will lose your money in any scenario.
10. If you are going for a walk with family or in a group, agree in advance on where to meet in case someone gets lost.
11. Be alert when someone tries to distract your attention; this may just be a cover to pick your pockets.
12. Do not buy jewelry and household electronics on the street.
13. On the terraces of bars and restaurants, do not hang bags on the back of your chair and do not leave them on the floor.

Chukin A. A., Deputy Chairman of the ONC under the GTS of the Government of the KR

Memo for individuals crossing the state border of the Kyrgyz Republic