Ostrov Kayrak

Passport validity requirements

If you’re visiting or resident in Kyrgyzstan, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You can enter Kyrgyzstan as a visitor for stays of up to 30 calendar days without a visa, for each 60-day period. After this period expires, UK nationals must either leave Kyrgyzstan or obtain the appropriate documents.

To stay longer, to work or study, see more information on the available visa types.

Kyrgyzstan offers an e-visa service for visitors. See Kyrgyzstan’s official e-visa portal

Registering with the authorities

If you’re visiting Kyrgyzstan for more than 30 calendar  days, you must either leave the territory of Kyrgyzstan before the 30 calendar day period ends, or register online with the State Registration Service (SRS) (in Kyrgyz and Russian). You must register within 5 days of your entry into Kyrgyzstan for the period of your visa’s validity.      

If you’re staying with someone who owns a property in Kyrgyzstan for longer than 30 calendar days, you and the property owner must register at the State Registration Service.

Do not overstay your visa, or exceed your permitted duration of stay, even for a very short period. If you overstay, you could get a fine and possibly be deported. It is not always easy or possible to extend your stay or visa if you want to stay in the country for longer than planned. If you’re travelling overland, make sure you arrive at your intended border crossing in good time before your period of stay or visa expires.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Kyrgyzstan guide.

Kyrgyz-British dual nationality

Kyrgyzstan does not recognise dual nationality. If you enter Kyrgyzstan on a Kyrgyz passport and are also a British national, the British Embassy will only be able to provide limited consular assistance. If you’re arrested or detained, the Kyrgyz authorities are unlikely to grant you access to British Embassy staff.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Kyrgyzstan (in Russian). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Medication

Bring a doctor’s prescription if you travel with prescription medicines and declare them on your customs declaration form. Some non-prescription medicines in the UK cause problems on entry into Kyrgyzstan. Possession can lead to civil or criminal proceedings if you have not declared them on arrival. Some medicines which are available without a prescription in the UK might require a prescription in Kyrgyzstan.

If you are planning to take any medication with you, it is recommended that you contact the Kyrgyz Embassy into the UK or a local travel agency for further advice on whether any restrictions apply to the medications you are planning to bring.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Kyrgyzstan (in Russian). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Medication

Bring a doctor’s prescription if you travel with prescription medicines and declare them on your customs declaration form. Some non-prescription medicines in the UK cause problems on entry into Kyrgyzstan. Possession can lead to civil or criminal proceedings if you have not declared them on arrival. Some medicines which are available without a prescription in the UK might require a prescription in Kyrgyzstan.

If you are planning to take any medication with you, it is recommended that you contact the Kyrgyz Embassy into the UK or a local travel agency for further advice on whether any restrictions apply to the medications you are planning to bring.

Emergency services in Kyrgyzstan

Ambulance: 103

Fire: 101 

Police: 102

Rescue and emergency: 112

Tourist police in Issyk-Kul Province

If you are in Issyk-Kul Oblast (province) and need help, you can call the tourist police call centre, where the staff speak English and Russian, or message on WhatsApp, on +996 705 00 91 02.

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Kyrgyzstan
• dealing with a death in Kyrgyzstan
• being arrested or imprisoned in Kyrgyzstan
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

If you’re considering investing or doing business in Kyrgyzstan, it is important to research carefully.

Although there are British companies operating successfully in Kyrgyzstan, there have been instances of British people getting into difficulties. This includes having assets stolen or being physically attacked. See Kyrgyzstan’s ranking in the Transparency International Global Corruption Index.

The Kyrgyz legal system can be slow and getting judgements implemented can be very difficult. The British Embassy is not able to get involved (including offering advice) in private disputes over property, employment, commercial or other matters.

Business associations in Kyrgyzstan may be able to offer you advice. If you get into difficulties due to the actions of state bodies, you can also contact the Kyrgyzstan ombudsman (in Russian and Kyrgyz).  

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Kyrgyzstan has a secular constitution. Most Kyrgyz people are Muslim. Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions. Make sure your actions do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or when you visit religious sites.

Ramadan 

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. Cafés and restaurants may amend their menus and be busy around fast-breaking (‘Iftar’). Areas around mosques are also likely to be busy around prayer times. Take particular care not to offend religious sensitivities at this time.

Personal ID

You must always carry your passport, or a notarised copy of it, with you at all times. The police can arrest you if you do not carry ID. You can be arrested if you fail to do so. You can get a copy of your passport notarised in the UK and translated into Kyrgyz or Russian, or use a copy notarised in Kyrgyzstan.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

It is illegal to possess or use drugs. You could get a lengthy prison sentence if convicted. Prison conditions are basic.

The police conduct regular drug raids in bars and night clubs. Police will be masked and armed. Stay calm and follow instructions. If you are not carrying and have not taken drugs you are normally asked for identification and then allowed to leave.

Alcohol laws 

It is illegal to sell alcohol to someone aged 18 or under. Drinking in public is prohibited, and violators may face a 1,000 KGS fines or even imprisonment.

E-cigarettes

It is illegal to bring e-cigarettes, vaping devices and solutions into Kyrgyzstan or to buy and sell them. Customs officials will confiscate these items; and they could fine or detain you.

Prohibited material   

It is prohibited to bring certain material into Kyrgyzstan. This includes material which promotes war, terrorism, religious hatred or racism and pornographic content.

Using cameras and drones in secure areas

It is illegal to take photos of or use drones near anything related to the military or security, including border checkpoints, military sites and police stations. Check carefully that you are not near any military or security facilities.

Check if you can import and use your model of drone with the Kyrgyz Embassy.

Social media

Be careful when posting images of your visit on social media as offence can be taken. Take particular care with images or comments about public buildings, the Kyrgyz flag, national food or customs. Disrespectful content could result in fines or detention.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are legal but not often discussed or recognised publicly. Showing affection in public could result in a violent attack or unwanted attention. Same sex marriages are not recognised in Kyrgyz law.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Power cuts

There are frequent power cuts throughout Kyrgyzstan during the winter.

Money 

The currency in Kyrgyzstan is the Kyrgyz som (KGS), and is usually not available in currency exchanges outside Kyrgyzstan.   

ATMs are widely available in main cities and usually distribute Kyrgyz som and US dollars.  You should pay with KGS but USD is a universal currency, and may be accepted in certain situations. ATMs sometimes have a maximum som withdrawal limit. This varies from bank to bank, but is often around 10,000 KGS. ATMs are also usually available in smaller towns, though it may be more difficult to withdraw dollars outside main cities. Credit and debit cards are widely used around the country; VISA is accepted in most places, but MasterCard is sometimes not accepted. Payment by QR code is also common. Travellers’ cheques are not normally accepted.

Bring cash if you plan to travel to rural areas where ATMs may not be available.

US dollars are the most easily exchanged foreign currency. Notes from before 2007 usually are not accepted or subject to additional charge if changing to Kyrgyz som.