Kyrgyzstan travel formalities
Since 31 December 2025, Kyrgyzstan has limited visa-free stays for 55 nationalities, significantly changing entry rules for 2026.
Since the end of 2025, Kyrgyzstan has significantly changed its entry and stay rules for foreign travellers. Long known for its openness and simplified formalities, Kyrgyzstan remains relatively accessible, but now more strictly regulates the length of visa-free stays. This change directly affects tourists, hikers, digital nomads and visitors travelling for private or professional stays. To avoid any unpleasant surprises on arrival or departure, it is essential to understand the new Kyrgyzstan visa rules in 2026, as well as the available options, including the Kyrgyzstan e-Visa.
๐ Key points to remember – Staying in Kyrgyzstan in 2026
- โฑ๏ธ Visa-free stay limited to 30 days within 60 for nationals of 55 countries (instead of 60 days within 120 previously)
- ๐ Effective date: 31 December 2025
- ๐ 55 nationalities affected, including France, Belgium, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States
- ๐ Requirement to leave the country or obtain a visa once the authorised period ends
- ๐งพ Different regimes depending on nationality (EAEU, Gulf countries, Turkey, Ukraine, etc.)
- ๐ป Electronic visa (e-Visa) available online to extend or adjust your stay
๐ According to a statement published on 31 December 2025 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, Resolution No. 855 of the Council of Ministers changes the length of visa-free stay applicable to nationals of several foreign countries.
๐ Official source: https://egov.kg/kg/ministry/26/news/19668
โฑ๏ธ What changes for travellers
๐ This is a cumulative period: all days spent in the country are counted, even in the case of exits and re-entries.
Before this reform, visa-free stay in Kyrgyzstan allowed 60 days within 120 days, offering greater flexibility for longer trips. The change therefore marks a real tightening, without however calling the visa exemption into question.
The authorities explain this reform with several objectives:
This reform is part of a broader modernisation of stay regulations, amending a previous decree from 2023. It is not intended to curb tourism, but to better regulate the length of stay of foreign visitors.
The new rule of a visa-free stay in Kyrgyzstan limited to 30 days applies to nationals of 55 countries, mainly in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.
Among the most affected nationalities:
๐ Good to know: many European and Western travellers used to longer stays (hiking, volunteering, professional assignments) now need to adjust the length of their trip or anticipate applying for a Kyrgyzstan e-Visa.
Once the maximum visa-free stay has been reached, travellers have two legal options.
The simplest option is to:
Travellers wishing to stay longer must:
โ ๏ธ Any overstay may result in:
Kyrgyzstan applies a differentiated migration policy depending on bilateral or regional agreements.
Nationals of the following countries benefit from a more flexible regime:
โก๏ธ 90 days of stay within 180 days, without a visa or additional formalities.
Other nationalities also benefit from specific rules:
๐ It is therefore essential to check the rules that apply to your nationality before departure.
For travellers whose plans exceed the visa-free period, the Kyrgyzstan e-Visa is the simplest solution.
๐ The Kyrgyz authorities specify that the electronic visa application must be submitted exclusively via the government’s official portal.
๐ Official Kyrgyzstan e-Visa website: https://www.evisa.e-gov.kg/
The e-Visa is available to many nationalities, notably for:
๐ As soon as your planned stay:
Beyond the visa, certain general rules apply to all travellers.
Despite these adjustments, Kyrgyzstan remains a very popular destination for:
These new visa rules are mainly intended to regulate long stays, without undermining the country’s ัััะธััะธัะตะบัั attractiveness.
Find out if your question has been answered in the list below
No, a visa is not required for citizens of 55 countries, including France, for short stays. However, since December 31, 2025, the length of stay without a visa is limited to 30 days within a 60-day period. Beyond that, a visa or Kyrgyzstan e-Visa is required.
No, it is no longer possible to stay for more than 30 days without a visa in 2026 if you are covered by the relevant regime. This period is cumulative over 60 days. To legally extend your stay, you must either leave the country or apply for a visa or Kyrgyzstan e-Visa before exceeding the authorized period.
The Kyrgyzstan e-Visa application is completed entirely online via the official government portal. This electronic visa allows you to travel for tourism, business, or private reasons and to stay legally beyond the visa-free period. It is recommended that you apply before the authorized stay expires.