Requirements for Entry, Stay, and Transit through the Territory of Kyrgyzstan

Entry, Stay, and Transit Requirements

Visa issues:
https://www.open.kg/allnews/culture/2167-merzlikinu-predlozhili-sygrat-syna-stalina.html

Entry Features through Different Checkpoints

Checkpoints at the state border of the Kyrgyz Republic are designated for automobile, air, and railway communication.

Checkpoints on the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border:
- Ak-Zhol, road checkpoint, open 24 hours: Chui region, Alamudun district, 18 km of the Bishkek – Almaty road;
- Chaldybar, road checkpoint, open 24 hours: Chui region, Panfilov district, 98 km of the Bishkek – Taraz road;
- Ak-Tilek, road checkpoint, open 24 hours: Chui region, Issyk-Ata district, southern bank of the Chu River, near the bridge east of the village of Khun-Chi;
- Karkyra, road checkpoint, daylight hours: Issyk-Kul region, Tyup district, Karkyra area;
- Chon-Kapka, road checkpoint, open 24 hours: Talas region, Manas district;
- Kainy, railway checkpoint, open 24 hours: Chui region, Jayil district, town of Kainy.

Checkpoints on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border:
- Kyzyl-Bel, road checkpoint, open 24 hours: Batken region, Batken district, village of Kyzyl-Bel;
- Kulundu, road checkpoint, open 24 hours: Batken region, Laylak district, village of Kulundu;
- Bor-Dobo, road checkpoint, open 24 hours: Osh region, Chon-Alai district, Bor-Dobo area.

Checkpoints on the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border:
- Kadamjai: Batken region, Kadamjai district, village of Pulgon;
- Kyzyl-Kiya: Batken region, Kadamjai district, Kyzyl – Kiya – Fergana road;
- Dostuk, road checkpoint, open 24 hours: Osh region, Kara-Suu district, 5 km of the Osh – Andijan road;
- Madaniyat, road checkpoint, open 24 hours: Jalal-Abad region, Nooken district, 498 km of the Bishkek - Osh road;
- Bek-Abad, road checkpoint, open 24 hours: Jalal-Abad region, Suzak district;
- Jalal-Abad: city of Jalal-Abad;
- Shamaldy-Sai, railway checkpoint, open 24 hours: Jalal-Abad region, town of Shamaldy-Sai.

Checkpoints at airports and airfields in the Kyrgyz Republic are designated for international air communication:
- Manas (Bishkek),
- Kant,
- Osh,
- Issyk-Kul (Tamchi village — seasonal).

Customs Control:
Since August 12, 2015, the import of foreign goods into the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Customs Code of the Customs Union and the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic "On Customs Regulation in the Kyrgyz Republic".

Alcohol and cigarettes. 3 liters of alcoholic beverages (for adults), 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars (cigarillos) or 250 grams of tobacco, or the specified products in assortment with a total weight not exceeding 25 grams.

Goods for personal use, with a customs value not exceeding the amount equivalent to 10,000 euros (transported by air) or 1,500 euros (transported by other means) and a total weight not exceeding 50 kilograms.

Weapons and ammunition. Sporting and hunting weapons may be imported by foreign citizens into the territory of Kyrgyzstan with mandatory declaration upon entry into the country. An invitation from a legal entity licensed for hunting, a hunting contract with the specified legal entity, or an invitation to participate in sporting events and the corresponding permission from the internal affairs authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic is also required. The specified weapons must be exported from the country within the timeframes established by the contract or invitation.

Vehicles. A simplified customs declaration procedure for vehicles imported by individuals provides for customs declaration using a customs receipt order, as well as the calculation and payment of customs duties at a single rate of customs duties and taxes. The form and procedure for filling out the customs receipt order is defined by the decision of the Customs Union Commission dated June 18, 2010 No. 288. Foreign individuals may temporarily import one vehicle into the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union under a simplified preferential procedure, with full exemption from payment of the single rate of customs duties and taxes, provided that such vehicle will be exported back within a period not exceeding 1 year, using two copies of the passenger customs declaration.

Currency. When importing/exporting cash and/or traveler's checks in an amount exceeding the equivalent of 10,000 US dollars, the specified cash and/or traveler's checks must be declared in writing by submitting a passenger customs declaration for the total amount of imported cash and/or traveler's checks.

Items prohibited for import/export:
The transportation of drugs and strong medical preparations without a doctor's prescription, weapons, ammunition, explosives, as well as materials capable of undermining the state structure of the country is prohibited. When importing animals, vegetables, and fruits into Kyrgyzstan, a sanitary certificate is required.

Sanitary Control:
Sanitary and epidemiological control applies to fish, flour, milk, cream, yogurt, whey, butter and vegetable oil, meat products, honey, cheeses, cottage cheese, vegetables, nuts, fruits, tea, coffee, spices, confectionery and pasta, mushrooms, jams, jellies, cosmetic and perfumery products, children's clothing, travel blankets and bed linen, etc.

Phytosanitary Control:
Bulbs, tubers, root rosettes, live plants, cut flowers and buds, potatoes, tomatoes, nuts, dates, vegetables, fruits, cereals, stones, wood, lumber, flax, fiber, and hemp are subject to phytosanitary control.

Quarantine goods being imported are subject to a quarantine inspection and examination report, and when exported abroad — a phytosanitary certificate.

Veterinary Control:
Veterinary control is conducted. Detailed information is available on the website of the State Inspection for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Safety under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic - http://gvfi.gov.kg/index.html

Traveler Safety Issues

Crime

To avoid possible incidents, it is necessary to follow these recommendations:
- Observe the deadlines and rules for entry, as well as the registration and employment procedures. If you have questions about the legislation of Kyrgyzstan, ask representatives of government bodies in writing.

- If a police officer approaches you on the street for a document check, he must present his service ID upon your request. You need to present your passport.

- If you suspect an abuse of power by a law enforcement officer, try to clarify his name, rank, workplace, and then report this to the Russian consulate or the internal affairs authority of the Kyrgyz Republic.

- If you are illegally fined, detained, or arrested, or if your documents are confiscated or damaged, you have the right to request a meeting with an employee of the Russian consulate in the Kyrgyz Republic.

- Always carry your passport (or a copy of your passport) with a temporary registration slip or a travel ticket confirming your date of arrival in the Kyrgyz Republic.

- Be cautious when visiting public places and crossing roads.

- Take measures to ensure the safety of your documents and money.

If you arrived in the Kyrgyz Republic for extreme sports, it is necessary to obtain an insurance policy and register with the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic. Additionally, you should inform the Russian consulate about the composition of your tourist group and the route scheme.

Visiting various regions of the country:
The Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic lacks the capability for timely organization of search and rescue operations and assistance to tourist climbers who find themselves in emergency situations in the mountains.

Traffic

Features:
Traffic rules in the Kyrgyz Republic are almost identical to the traffic rules in the Russian Federation.

Main types of fuel:
Gasoline (AI-95 — 42 soms per liter, AI-92 — 40 soms per liter), diesel fuel (DF — 38 soms per liter), gas (23 soms).

Availability of parking spaces:
Parking spaces are available.

The cost of parking a car for 1 hour is 50 — 100 soms, for a day — from 250 to 500 soms.

Necessity of paying road tax:
The passage of vehicles on major highways is free. The passage on the Bishkek — Osh highway is paid: the cost is 250 soms.

Procedure for obtaining mandatory insurance policy:
Mandatory insurance is currently absent. Preparations are underway to introduce mandatory auto insurance.

Possibility of using a national Russian driver's license:
The use of a national Russian driver's license is permitted.

Car insurance:
Can be arranged at insurance company offices or through insurance brokers.

Car rental:
Car rental costs 35—100 USD per day, depending on the class of the car (deposit 500 USD).

Your actions in case of a traffic accident:
Actions in case of a traffic accident are standard as provided by traffic rules.

Local Laws and Customs

Established norms of behavior:
It is customary to treat elderly people and women with respect. Give up your seat on public transport to the elderly, passengers with children, and women.
When meeting unfamiliar people in the countryside, on dirt roads, or in the mountains, it is customary to greet each other.
Eastern hospitality is widespread.
Special prices may be offered to visitors. Bargaining is allowed.

Penalties for various types of crimes:
The Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic is largely based on the provisions of the Model Criminal Code for the CIS member states.

Family legislation of the country:
Parents' rights regarding children are defined by the civil and family codes of the Kyrgyz Republic (which almost completely coincide with Russian legal acts).

Local legislation on foreign ownership of property in the country:
The provision and transfer of agricultural land to foreign citizens is not allowed.

Land plots within the boundaries of populated areas (cities, towns, rural settlements) can only be granted to them on the basis of temporary (temporary) use.

If a foreign citizen becomes an heir to agricultural land, he is obliged to alienate it in favor of a citizen of the Kyrgyz Republic within one year from the moment the right to the land plot arises. If the foreign citizen does not alienate the right to the land plot or property, including inherited property, within one year from the moment it arises, the alienation will be carried out by court decision, and the land plot and property will be subject to forced sale with the transfer of the proceeds from the sale to the former owner or transfer to state or municipal ownership with compensation to the former owner in the amount determined by the court as the value of the property.

Healthcare

Health hazards, typical diseases:
The sanitary and epidemiological situation regarding infectious and parasitic diseases is stable. Typical diseases include intestinal infections, viral hepatitis A, brucellosis, salmonellosis, echinococcosis, tuberculosis.

Features of medical services:
Medical services, including emergency medical and veterinary assistance, are at an adequate level.

When going out of town, it is advisable to have a supply of medications. To prevent food poisoning, it is recommended to eat at stationary food points.

Vaccinations:
Before traveling to the Kyrgyz Republic, it is recommended to get vaccinated against viral hepatitis A.

Additional Information

Business climate:
The country is developing construction, trade, telecommunications, and service sectors. There is a wide network of catering establishments and the hotel business. The main income of the population comes from trade and services (working at markets, in cafes, private transportation).

Useful phone numbers:
Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic: (3222) 21-844, 112.
Department for the consideration of crimes committed against foreign citizens of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic: 26-62-61 Duty unit: 22-97-78, 102.
Duty unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic: 66-24-50, 102.
Duty unit of the State Automobile Inspectorate of the Kyrgyz Republic: 63-09-00, 63-09-01.
Hotline of the Border Service of the Kyrgyz Republic: 54-90-39, 54-80-40.
Emergency medical assistance: 103.
City information bureau: 109.

Other:
Transport. Public transport is represented by buses, trolleybuses, and minivans.

The cost of a bus ride is 8 soms, a trolleybus ride is 8 soms. A minivan ride costs 10 soms, while a private taxi within the city costs 80—200 soms.

Working hours of grocery and non-food stores. Grocery stores usually operate from 08:00 to 22:00 and are open 24 hours, while non-food stores operate from 09:00 to 19:00.

Shopping centers in Bishkek:
“Bishkek Park” Kyivskaya St., 148
Tel. 69-11-11.

Beta Stores Chuy Ave., 150A
Tel. 61-10-72, 61-10-73.

“Vefa” Gorky St., 27/1
Tel. 90-11-67.

“Karavan” Kyivskaya St., 128
Tel. 90-94-00, 90-94-01.

Central Universal Store (CUM) Chuy Ave., 155
Tel. 29-27-91.

Procedure for using a payphone. Payphones are rarely used. Almost every block has shops where you can buy a SIM card; the cost of calls to Russia, depending on the operator, can vary from 3 to 20 rubles/min.

Internet cafes can be easily found.

Availability of ATMs and the spread of credit cards. ATMs are mainly available only in large stores. Payment by credit card is possible in most stores.

Electric voltage in the network. The voltage in the network is 220 V.

Availability of public toilets. Public toilets are available in places with mass gatherings of citizens.

Distance from the city center to the railway, bus stations, and airport, transport communication with them:
The railway and 2 bus stations are located in the city center, the airport is 25 kilometers away.

Legislation