Visa Regulation. Rules of staying in Kyrgyzstan of foreign citizens according to Kyrgyzstan law.

Kyrgyz Visa is required for all tourists travelling in Kyrgyzstan except the following:

a. Nationals of CIS countries (except Turkmenistan who do require a visa), provided residing in country of nationality;
b. Nationals of Uzbekistan, Malaysia and Turkey for stays of up to 30 days;
c. Nationals of Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Cuba, Czech Republic, Japan, Korea (Dem Rep), Macedonia, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, Serbia & Montenegro, Slovak Republic and Slovenia travelling as tourists for stays of up to 30 days (provided they are permanent residents of their country);

Nationals of the following countries may apply for Kyrgyz visa valid for one month or less without providing a letter of support from Kyrgyzstan:

Kyrgyz visas can be obtained in Kyrgyz Embassies and Consulates in the following countries:

Also Kyrgyz visas can be obtained or prolonged in Consular Agencies in airport of Bishkek, in Karakol, in Naryn and in Osh.

If there is no Kyrgyz Embassy or Consulate in your country, you travel as a group and plan to enter Kyrgyzstan not via Bishkek airport, then another option is just for you. Travel groups (4 persons and more) can receive group Kyrgyz visa on paper (and not in the passports). In this case ITMC submits application form with passport data to Consular Department in Bishkek, and in due time we get group Kyrgyz visas on paper. Then this group visa can be sent to you by express mail.

Kyrgyz authorities plan to open Consular offices on Kyrgyz border posts, in particular on Torugart. However it is just a plan yet.

For more information about Cosular issues you can visit web site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyz Republic www.mfa.gov.kg.

Registration in passport department.

If tourists travel in Kyrgyzstan more than 3 days, they must be registered in passport department within 3 days after arrival in the country. Registration is not required for nationals of countries who are not required visa invitation letter. See list above.

New: Since August 2005 registration in OVIR is not requiered for citizens of Russian Federation and Kazakhstan if they stay in Kyrgyzstan not more than 90 days.

Please note: Japanese citizen do not require Kyrgyz visa for staying of up to 30 days, but they require registration in passport department for stay of more than 3 days.

We provide registration for those of our tourists who need it. If you travel independently, speak Russian or Kyrgyz, if you have free day and wish to safe some money, you can get registration by yourself. Passport departments do registration on Tuesday-Saturday, usually from 8:30am to 6:00pm, lunch time 12:00-2:00pm.

General Information about Kyrgyzstan

AREA: 198,500 sq km (77,182 sq miles).

POPULATION: 5,067,000 (UN estimate 2002).
Population Density: 25.3 per sq km.

CAPITAL: Bishkek (called Frunze from 1926 to 1991). Population: 736,000 (UN estimate 2001).

GEOGRAPHY: Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China. The majestic Tian Shan (Heavenly Mountains) range occupies the greater part of the area. Its highest peak is Peak Pobedy at 7439m (24,406 ft).

GOVERNMENT: Republic. Gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Head of State and Government: President Kurmanbek Bakiev since 2005. Prime Minister: Felix Kulov 2005.

LANGUAGE: The official language is Kyrgyz, a Turkic language closely related to Uzbek, Kazakh, Turkmen and Turkish. Any attempt by a foreigner to speak Kyrgyz will be greatly appreciated. In deference to the large Russian population of Kyrgyzstan, Russian is also protected under law. Most people can speak Russian, and do so, especially in the north. English is widely spoken by those involved in tourism. Uzbek, Kazakh, Tajik and various other regional languages and dialects are also spoken.

RELIGION: The major religion is Islam with the majority of Kyrgyz being Sunni Muslim with Christian and Russian Orthodox minorities.

TIME: GMT + 5 (no change-over from winter to summer time since 2005)

ELECTRICITY: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin continental plugs are standard.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL.

AIR: The national airline is Kyrgyzstan Airlines (R8), which operates direct flights to Bishkek from Germany, India, Russian Federation and Turkey (Istanbul). British Airways operates a direct flight from London to Bishkek. British Mediterranean (a franchise partner of British Airways) operates services three times a week from London to Bishkek. Turkish Airlines also flies to Bishkek from Europe, with a stopover in Istanbul. In addition, there is a number of direct flights from Europe to Almaty, in neighbouring Kazakhstan. The connection from there to Kyrgyzstan is via frequent bus services to Bishkek (travel time – 250 km (150 miles), four hours by land, and 1 hour by air). Other European airlines flying direct to Almaty include KLM (from Amsterdam) and Lufthansa (five weekly flights from Frankfurt/M). There are also direct flights to Bishkek from Moscow and St Petersburg (Russian Federation) and from Tashkent (Uzbekistan).
Approximate flight times: From London to Bishkek is nine hours. From Moscow to Bishkek is four hours. From London to Almaty (Kazakhstan) is six hours 30 minutes; from Istanbul to Almaty is five hours 30 minutes and from Frankfurt/M to Almaty is seven hours.
International airports: Bishkek Manas Airport (FRU) is 30 km (18 miles) north of Bishkek. There is a minibus shuttle service to the city centre when the airport is open (travel time – 30 minutes). Taxis are available 24 hours. There is also the bus service 153 every 30 minutes (travel time - 45 minutes) during day time. Airport facilities include luggage office, bars, restaurant, chemist, bank and bureau de change.

RAIL: There are rail connections with the Russian Federation (travel time to Moscow is three days) and with other Central Asian Republics. However, tourists are advised that robberies on trains have been reported.

ROAD: The main international road links are with Kazakhstan and there are presently two crossing points into China (PR); visitors should note that the Chinese authorities normally require proof of an invitation by a Chinese tour operator as a condition of entry. There are regular bus links from Bishkek to Tashkent (Uzbekistan) (travel time – 10 to 12 hours) and Almaty (Kazakhstan) (travel time – 6 hours); services leave the long-distance ("zapadni") bus station in Bishkek. There is also a direct service to Osh from Tashkent (Uzbekistan) via the Fergana Valley, but road conditions are very poor on this route. Generally, roads can be affected by landslides (especially during spring in the mountain areas), while winter may cause hazardous conditions on a number of roads (especially on mountain passes, some of which may be closed during certain periods); visitors should also note that garage services are very limited.

INTERNAL TRAVEL.

AIR: There are internal connections from Bishkek to Cholpan-Ata, Karakol, Naryn, Djalal-Abad and Osh. Access to the Central Tien-Shan region is via helicopter, which takes climbers up the Inylchek Valley.

RAIL: There is only one railway line, which runs from Bishkek to Balikchi at the western end of Lake Issyk-Kul. Osh, in the south of the country, can be reached by rail via Tashkent (Uzbekistan). A new North–South railway is currently planned. Travellers are advised that robberies on trains have been reported.

ROAD: Kyrgyzstan has 28,400 km (17,400 miles) of roads. Traffic drives on the right. Visitors should note that roads are poorly maintained and badly signposted. Bus: There are regular bus connections to all parts of Kyrgyzstan. Buses are crowded. Taxi: Taxis can be found in all major towns. Many are unlicensed, and fares should be agreed in advance. As many of the street names, particularly in the capital, have changed since independence, visitors are advised to ask for both the old and the new names when seeking directions. Car hire: Car hire is not available. It is possible to hire cars with drivers for long-distance journeys, but because of the shortage of petrol, it is generally an expensive option. Foreigners are generally expected to pay in US Dollars or EUR. Documentation: Licences for long-stay residents intending to buy or import a car can be obtained from the Protocol Department of the Foreign Ministry. An International Driving Permit and two photos are required.

URBAN: There are bus and trolleybus services around the capital.

CLIMATE: Kyrgyzstan has a continental climate with relatively little rainfall. It averages 247 sunny days a year. In the summer, in the mountains, the mornings are generally fine and the afternoons hazy with occasional rain. In the lowlands, the temperature ranges between -4° and -6°C (21-24°F) in January to 16 and 24°C (61-75°F) in July. In the highlands, the temperatures range from -14° and -20°C (6.8° and -4°F in January to 8-12°C (46-54°F) in July. There are heavy snowfalls during winter.

FOOD & DRINK: The water has been tested by the US-based Centre for Diseases Control and found to be generally bacteria-free. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. We advise tourists not try fruit and vegetables on bazaars unless the are washed in running water. Owing to the difficulty of obtaining a balanced diet in some parts of Kyrgyzstan, visitors are recommended to take vitamin supplements.

HEALTH CARE: Medical services offered to foreigners, except emergency care, require immediate cash payment and are somewhat limited. There is a severe shortage of basic medical supplies, including disposable needles, anaesthetics and antibiotics, and travellers are advised to bring any necessary medication. Medical insurance is strongly recommended and for adventure tours is a must.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

NB: There are some holidays which are "floating" from year to year, and depends on Lunar Calendar.

TIPPING: This is becoming more customary, especially in international hotels.

COMMUNICATIONS:
Telephone: Country code: 996 (312 for Bishkek). International calls should be made from a telephone office which will usually be found attached to a post office; they can also be made from some hotels by asking at reception. All international calls from Kyrgyzstan have to go through the operator. Local calls (within the city) are free of charge if made from private telephones; hotels sometimes levy a small charge. Direct-dial calls within the CIS are obtained by dialling 8 and waiting for another dial tone and then dialling the city code followed by the number.
Mobile telephone: GSM 900 network in use. The main provider is Bitel Ltd (website: www.bitel.kg).
Fax: Services are available in main post office as well as in the most of hotels (for residents only).
Telegram: Services are available from post offices in large towns.
Internet: ISPs include Asiainfo (website: www.asiainfo.kg), ElCat (website: www.elcat.kg) and Intra Net (website: www.intranet.kg). There are a lot of Internet cafes in Bishkek and other towns.
Post: Letters to and from Western Europe and the USA can take anything between two weeks and two months. Stamped envelopes can be bought from post offices. Mail to recipients within Kyrgyzstan should be addressed in the following order: country, postcode, city, street, house number and, lastly, the person’s name. Visitors can also use post offices located within some major hotels. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00.