Kyrgyzstan
Summary
COVID-19 entry restrictions for Kyrgyzstan
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Kyrgyzstan’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
Travelling from and returning to the UK
Check what you must do to travel abroad and return to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
ItIf you’re planning travel to Kyrgyzstan, find out what you need to know about coronavirus there in the Coronavirus section.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the the FCDO guidance on foreign travel insurance.
For information about COVID-19 vaccines, see the Coronavirus page.
Terrorist attacks in Kyrgyzstan cannot be ruled out. You should be vigilant in public places and follow security advice from the local authorities. See Terrorism.
Take care if you travel to the Oblasts (Provinces) of Osh, Batken and Jalal-Abad. See Local travel
Skirmishes regularlycan occur along the disputed Kyrgyz-Tajik borderborder. and previousPrevious incidents have involved both civilians and border guards with the use of firearms and sometimesseveral heavyhave artillery.involved Onfirearms. 14-16There Septemberare clashesalso escalatedoccasional intosecurity armedincidents conflicton between the KyrgyzKyrgyz/Uzbek and TajikKyrgyz/Kazakh militaryborders. whichThere’s resulted in over 100 dead, including civilians, and significant destruction of civilian property and infrastructure. In addition around 140,000 civilians were displaced. There is a risk of further localised violence and border closures at any time. There are also occasional security incidents on the Kyrgyz/Uzbek and Kyrgyz/Kazakh borders. You should remain vigilant in border areas and check local media reports before you travel. See See Local travel
There is a high risk of earthquakes. See Natural disasters
You must carry your passport, or a notarised copy of it, at all times. See Local laws and customs
Dual nationality isn’t recognised in Kyrgyzstan. If you enter Kyrgyzstan on a Kyrgyz passport and also hold British nationality, the British Embassy can only provide very limited consular assistance. In cases of arrest or detention, consular access is unlikely to be granted.
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
Update history
2025-03-25 10:27
Updated information on the Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border (‘Regional risks’ page).
2024-12-06 13:06
This travel advice has been reviewed for accuracy. There were no significant updates.
2024-05-29 14:58
Updated information on demonstrations (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-05-18 21:29
Information on reports of violence in Bishkek (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-04-22 10:44
Information on crime and local laws (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-10-09 15:33
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-06-22 10:38
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-06-02 11:01
Information on the UK air safety list (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-05-05 11:17
Updated information on altitude sickness (‘Health’ page).
2023-02-08 14:32
Updated information on terrorist threats (‘Terrorism’ page).
2023-01-26 12:49
Updated information on the terrorism threat (‘Terrorism’ page).
2022-09-27 11:11
Updated information on skirmishes along the Kyrgyz-Tajik border (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2022-09-05 10:24
Addition of information on checking the UK Air Safety List when flying with foreign air carriers (‘Safety and Security’ page).
2022-05-19 16:32
Updated with information in Air Travel about how UK sanctions affect purchases of flight tickets on Russian owned airlines (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-05-05 15:56
Updated information on the lifting of the requirement for a PCR test or vaccination certificate for entry to Kyrgyzstan (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-03-11 14:03
Updated information on visas (‘Entry requirements’ page)