CARRYING PASSPORTS.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is necessary that foreigners carry with them at all times when they outside their place of residence (e. g. their hotel), to carry passports, or other documents verifying their identity.

Some embassies have, in the past, advised travellers that they do not carry the actual passport but a photocopy — and to show this to police if stopped. However the local authorities, as noted above, say that you should carry identification documents. (See also the «Memo» in the Safety section)

At times the police conduct special probes of foreigners because there is a problem with some illegal immigration/transit and even if you do not look like a drug dealer they may use this issue as an excuse to ask you for a fine if you do not have your actual passport. According to some press reports, foreigners have actually been «arrested» in one of these checks for only having a photocopy of their passport.

Do not be alarmed if you are stopped by police — it is not uncommon because Bishkek has a fair amount of refugees and also persons living here without any right to stay. The best advice if stopped by police is to show what documents you have, and do not try to speak Russian.

If a police patrolstiop someone in order to identify their identity — they only have to show their documents. It is not necessary to show the contents of bags and pockets. They have no right to search you: do not allow this.

Refuse to pay any money if asked (refuse even to show your wallet as sometimes you may get it back lacking some of what was previously in it!) and simply show your passport and your hotel card. Police who have no business to do so may occasionally stop people in the street. If this happens please write down the number of the policeman — they should be wearing a badge. You can ask to see their documents — hold out your hand and say «documents». We also know of cases where people have been stopped by persons dressed as policemen (or in some cases in track suits) who were not in fact policemen (but who had some apparently genuine documents). Happily it is not a usual occurrence.

We would like to stress again that such problems are rare, but do sometimes happen.