VISAS

There are several types of visa: Diplomatic, Official, Ordinary, «Working Permit», Investment, Tourist and Transit

Visas can be valid for a single entry, double entry or multiple entry. A single entry visa carries a single circular stamp, whereas double and multiple entry visas are validated by two circular stamps.

It is also possible to obtain group visas. Although here are some advantages to obtaining group visas, it means that the whole group have to arrive and depart at the same time. Tourist visas are usually valid for one month only and can be extended for a second month, for example at the Central OVIR office in Bishkek, although — in effect consular officials issue a new visa to run consecutive to the first. At the Central OVIR office in Bishkek, you have to write a letter of application (in Russian) giving reasons why you want the extension. However, the officials have been known to decline to renew a visa. A tourist visa does NOT grant the bearer the right to employment in the country.

It is not possible to convert a Tourist visa into a General visa.

A Transit visa is valid for a single entry, usually for three days only — although maybe upto five days — and is issued on the basis of an invitation from the organisation of third country, an existing visa to a third country or an air/rail ticket in a third country. It used to be the case that if the country of destination was a member of the CIS and the valid visa has been already issued, then it was not necessary to apply for a Kyrgyz transit visa. However, since the beginning of the year 2000 several countries in the CIS announced that they now require all foreigners travelling through their territory to have a visa and Kyrgyzstan has since followed their lead. The «seventy two hour ruls», as this was known, NO LONGER apples.

Certain countries (mainly membersof the «Soviet block») were granted visa-free regimes when independence was established.

There has been a lot of press comment about citizens of member countries of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) being able to travel to Kyrgyzstan without a visa. This is because the President issued a decree on 2nd August 1999, «On Measures for Liberalisation of the Visa Regime for Foreign Citizens and Exit of Kyrgyz Citizens from the Kyrgyz Republic». In this, he decreed that such a system should be established — but the details for the implementation of the decree were yet to be finalised. There has been some movement towards the fulfillment of the decree — but mostly affecting holders of diplomatic passports. Only the citizens of Japan have been granted a visa-free regime.

The current (April 2003) situation is as follows:
Citizens of the following countries do not need visas:

Azerbaijan, Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzergovenia, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Malaysia (for upto 1month), Moldavia, Mongolia (for upto 3 months), North Korea, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey (for upto 1 month), Ukraine, Vietnam Yugoslavia.

In 2002 arrangements were made so that the citizens of some 28 Western countries could obtain a visa, valid for upto one month, from Kyrgyz Consular Office, without an invitation – on the basis of a personal application. This was confirmed by an order from the government – No. 213 – dated 15/04/2003. These countries include:

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Korea, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the USA

Even if you are from one of the 28 Western countries listed, , the consular official considering the application may still ask, however, for an invitation. For example, where the applicant is not a citizen in the country where they are applying, or if the application is for more than one month, or for a multiple entry visa. The only way to be sure what rules will be applied in your case is to contact the embassy ask.

Citizens of certain countries need an invitation registered with the Consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bishkek. Even though, generally, the Kyrgyz Republic enjoys good diplomatic relations with these countries, special procedures are applied and the process takes two weeks instead of the usual one week. These countries include:

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates

Obtaining a visa :

Most people obtain their visas from Kyrgyz embassies abroad, (or sometimes from Kazakh or Russian embassies/consulates). It is usual to have to provide, (but see below):

• A letter of application
• An application form
• A passport photograph
  The passport with at least one blank page – some visa agencies in America state that it must be valid for six months after the date of the intended visit – but we cannot find this stipulated anywhere
• The fee

In some cases it may be necessary to provide an official invitation from a person or organisation in Kyrgyzstan, visa support from the consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and possibly visa support from the Ministry of the Interior.

We have heard of British citizens applying at the Kyrgyz embassy in London being asked to provide a letter from their employers before being granted a visa … we don’t know the reason for this … and we cannot find a regulation that requires it. However, the decision of whether to grant or deny a visa application is always in the gift of the consular official.

Visa support

It IS necessary to obtain visa support from the consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bishkek, (in the form of a telex message to the appropriate embassy/consulate).

The process normally takes one week, although it may be possible to apply for “express” service by paying an additional fee. We recommend that you allow ten to fifteen days, however, to allow for holidays and communication.

Visa support from the Ministry od Foreign affairs is needed for:

• those with “private, business or other purposes”, (this refers to the Ordinary visa – not to Tourist visas)
• for multiple entry visas
• visas valid for more than one month
• for citizens of certain countries (even though, generally, the Kyrgyz Republic enjoys good diplomatic relations with these countries, special procedures are applied and the process takes two weeks instead of the usual one week.) These countries include:
  • Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates
• if you are applying at a Kazakh embassy/consulate and
• for group visas.

2. From the Ministry of the Interior

Obtaining a visa on arrival

For those travellers from countries where there is no Kyrgyz embassy, it is possible to obtain a visa on arrival at Manas airport in Bishkek. In theory, the consular department at the airport have to be notified of the intended arrival beforehand, so some liaison with a company such as ours will be necessary.

In 2003, a system was introduced whereby citizens of a number of countries (see the visas section), could receive visas on arrival at Manas airport without an invitation. However, if you are planning to avail yourself of this facility, you should check with the airline that they are aware of this and will let you travel, when you buy your ticket. You do not want to arrive at the airport and not be allowed to board the flight because they are not aware of the current situation.

In 2002 — the government announced plans for a system whereby it would be possible to obtain a visas on arrival at all entry points. These plans have yet to be implemented.

Almaty-Issyk Kul : There area number of trekking routes between Almaty and Lake Issyk Kul. These were very popular in the Soviet period and although less frequently used after independence, still offered trekkers some spectacular scenery etc., and there are several maps available showing these routes In the past, (for example, when the 72 hour rule did apply), many trekkers crossed the mountains on these routes then obtained a visa at Karakol. However, the law states that only designated border posts are valid points of entry to the Republic, which means that these routes are no longer available.

Invitations:

Issuing an invitation involves the person or organisation doing so in certain responsibilities, obligations and liabilities.

As such we are happy to issue an official invitation (if one is necessary) from our company to tourists who take one of our tours or who use our services here in Kyrgyzstan. We do not usually issue invitations for individual travelers who do not use our servcies.

If you are not coming to Kyrgyzstan as a tourist, but on business or to visit family and/or friends, then you may need an invitation and visa support — but we cannot help you.

To issue an invitation we need to know:

• Your full passport details:
  • Full name
  • Nationality
  • Sex
  • Date of Birth
  • Place of Birth
  • Passport Number
  • Date of issue
  • Date of expiry
  • Authority/place of issue
• Dates you will be in Kyrgyzstan (these will appear on the visa – so give some thought to possible delays)
• A proposed itinerary (It doesn’t appearon the visa, so can be changed later)
• Where you intend to apply for the visa
• A fax number where you can dreceive a copy of the invitation
  

If the invitation is included as part of a tour package — then it is included in the cost — otherwise we usually charge either USD25 or USD50 depending upon the nature of the service required — and we need to know how you will pay us.

If you are traveling (for example, along the Silk Road) then it is also helpful to have contact information for points along your itinerary where we can get in touch with you if necessary.

Embassies

Embassies of the Kyrgyz Republic sometimes have websites which also have information — here is a list of contact details for embassies and consulates:

Processing time for issuing a visa can vary but a week is common, unless an additional fee is paid.

Fees for visas can vary depending upon where the application is made — and usually additional fees are levied for express service, (for example, an additional 100% of the ordinary fee for a one day service).

Visas for other Central Asian Countries.

Please note that we are registered and operate ONLY in Kyrgyzstan. We cannot issue visa invitations for other countries, (e.g. Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan or China). You will need to obtain advice and help from a local agent in each country and, although we have contacts in most of these countries, you will probably need to contact these agents separately.

The regulations in each country are different – and change from time to time. The Russian Federation has recently introduced new rules, as have Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. For example, Uzbekistan has operated a system for some time where citizens of the USA could obtain a visa without needing an invitation. In 2003 this was extended to citizens of Austria, Belgium, the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Switzerland and Japan who can now receive a visa at an Uzbek embassy without an invitation. They fill in the application at Uzbek Embassy, provide the necessary number of photos and consulate fees and wait for 3-4 working days. Those citizens of the listed countries who are not natives of the listed countries may also be required to provide a copy of an official letter from the place of work or study and a copy and passport. Apparently, many travellers who are citizens of these listed countries - have already got their visas under this system at the Uzbek Embassy in Bishkek.

If an invitation is required, it is generally it is best to allow one or two weeks for the formalities to be completed – and there is usually a commitment to purchase some services from the company concerned. In each case you will need to provide details about your employment the requirements are slightly differently in each country but to be sure you cover everything it would be best to quote - occupation, place of work, location of the company (address), your position.

• In China we usually work with CYTS (contact person: Zenling - email: 246581@163.net or zenling@xj.cninfo.net)
• In Kazakhstan we usually work via ASIATOUR; (contact person: Rinat - email: office@asiatour.org) - they will also need an accommodation address for you.
• In Uzbekistan we usually work with Sairam Tourism, (contact person: Valeria Kornilina - email: sairmtur@online.ru, or silkroad@sairamtour.com.uz).
• In Tajikistan - we have no partners ... and the current general advice from the US State Department and the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not to travel to Tajikistan, although you can try Great Game Travel v(greatgametravel.co.uk) or Stantours, (http://stantours.com).
• In Turkmenistan, we usually work with Ayan Travel; (contact person : Mehri - email : ayan@online.tm) - they will need to book some accommodation for you.
• If you want to visit several of the countries – you could contact David Berghof of Stantours
  (email: info@stantours.com – web address: http://stantours.s5.com). They cover all the stans, including Tajikistan and also Azerbaijan.
  

If you do contact any of the above directly, then please tell them that we referred you to them. We do not receive a commission — but it is good for them to know that we are sending them potential clients — Thank you.

The general advice is to get all of your visas before traveling if you possibly can. It is possible to obtain visas for Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and China here in Bishkek — but it is not necessarily an easy process and can be time consuming. There is usually a long queue outside the Kazakh embassy — the Uzbek embassy asks you to make an appointment — and the Chinese embassy is only open three mornings a week. In most cases, for a tourist visa you will need an invitation and for a transit visa you will need proof of onward travel.

If you intend to travel overland between Tashkent and Bishkek — or between Moscow and Bishkek by rail — then you will need a Kazakh transit visa, as part of the route passes through Kazakh territory.

ENTRY/EXIT Stamps 

— Technically it is only legal to enter the Kyrgyz Republic at a designated entry point. This means that it is no longer possible to trek over the border (for example over Kungei Ala-Too mountains from Almaty in Kazakhstan). More importantly, it is important to receive a stamp in your passport at the border crossing point. This can be important when it comes to registering with OVIR — especially if you cross some time ofter your Kyrgyz visa starts.

If there is no official in passport control or they claim not to have a stamp (both of which have been known to happen in the past) you can try to make a complaint — but you should at least note the date, time and place where you crossed the border. If possible a note of the name and number of any official on duty would also be helpful.

If you have some document — such as an airline ticket or a hotel receipt — which shows when you were in the other country — that might also help … but the stamp in the passport is the only sure way to avoid potential problems.

Please don't misunderstand us … the problem rarely ever arises — but it has been known to occur … and if possible you want to avoid it occurring to you.