Kyrgyzstan Limits Visa-Free Stay for Visitors from 55 Countries to 30 Days
Kyrgyzstan has discreetly strengthened its entry requirements without a visa. Travelers from 55 countries will only be able to stay for 30 days out of a 60-day period starting in 2026, instead of the previous 60 days.
If you've been considering a leisurely, visa-free trip to Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia, you should be aware of this significant upgrade.
The Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the official implementation of new entry regulations on December 31, 2025. Many travelers can now stay for shorter periods of time without a visa or registration.
What Has Changed for Travelers Without a Visa
Citizens of 55 nations are now permitted to enter Kyrgyzstan without a visa for a maximum of 30 days within any 60-day period under Resolution No. 855.
The moment you enter the country, that clock begins to run. Travelers must either depart Kyrgyzstan or employ a lawful stay option, such as a visa, residence permit, or temporary authorization, when those 30 days are up.
This is the main idea. Compared to earlier, this rule is more stringent.
Travelers from these nations are permitted to stay for 60 days within 120 days without any documentation till the end of 2025. This flexibility has vanished.
The Reasons Behind Kyrgyzstan's Action
The modification, according to officials, is a part of a larger initiative to simplify immigration regulations and lessen uncertainty regarding overstays and registration obligations.
Additionally, the government wants the regulations to more accurately reflect the priorities of national migration strategy. Simply put, shorter visa-free stays facilitate enforcement and surveillance.
Shorter Visa-Free Stay Affected Countries
Nationals of 55 nations and territories, including most of Europe, portions of Asia-Pacific, and the Americas, are subject to the updated 30-days-in-60 rule.
This covers visitors from nations like:
Australia, Argentina, Andorra, and Albania
Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, and Bosnia & Herzegovina
Cyprus, Croatia, Canada, Chile, and the Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
France and Finland
Greece and Germany
Israel, Italy, Hungary, Iceland, and Ireland
Japan
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, and Liechtenstein
Monaco, Montenegro, Malta, and Mexico
Norway, North Macedonia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand
Portugal and Poland
Russia and Romania (No, wait—see the exclusions below.)
San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Slovenia
Thailand
United States and the United Kingdom
Vatican
Vietnam
It's worthwhile to confirm your vacation dates right away if you previously depended on a lengthier 60-day window. Overstays may result in penalties or problems with future entrance.
Some People Are Still Subject to Different Rules
This modification does not effect everyone.
The foreign ministry claims that Resolution No. 855 maintains distinct arrangements for specific groups and changes previous migration regulations under Decree No. 541.
This is the breakdown:
Residents of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia who are members of the Eurasian Economic Union are exempt from residency requirements for a maximum of 90 days within 180 days.
Unless an international agreement specifies otherwise, Uzbek nationals may stay for 60 days out of 180 days.
Visas are not required for 90 days out of 180 days in Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, and Mongolia.
Within a 360-day period, Gulf nationals from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain are permitted to stay for up to 180 days without a visa.
The lesson is straightforward. Your passport is now more important than ever, and Kyrgyzstan's visa policy is more segmented.
Are You Going to Stay Longer? The E-Visa Option Is Still Valid
Since 2017, travelers have been able to apply for an electronic visa, or e-Visa. Applications for private, business, and tourist trips are submitted online via the official government webpage.
When visa-free days run out, the e-Visa continues to be the most legal option for digital nomads, long-term visitors, or anyone planning a prolonged stay in Issyk-Kul or Bishkek.
What Travelers Should Know About This
Although Kyrgyzstan is still friendly, the laws are now more stringent and less lenient.
Count your days carefully if you're planning a vacation in 2026, particularly if you'll be visiting several times in a short amount of time. It is also recommended that host parties and lodging providers closely adhere to the revised regulations.
You may avoid a lot of trouble at the border later by making some preparations now.
