Kyrgyzstan has drafted legislative amendments aimed at simplifying the process for foreign citizens to obtain residence permits.
Proposed changes to the law “On External Migration” were submitted for public discussion on April 27.
The bill proposes eliminating the mandatory requirement to obtain immigrant status, which previously required applicants to apply to multiple government agencies and submit numerous documents. Instead, the process would shift to a “single-window” system, reducing processing time and administrative complexity.
The procedure for obtaining a temporary residence permit would also be simplified by removing the requirement to reside in the country for at least six months prior to application.
The list of grounds for obtaining a residence permit would be expanded to include employment, education, investment, family reunification, and residency for citizens of former Soviet republics that enjoy a visa-free regime with Kyrgyzstan.
The draft law also proposes eliminating the outdated requirement for the registration of foreign nationals in hotels.
A residence permit could be revoked if a foreign citizen leaves Kyrgyzstan for more than one year without notifying the authorities.
According to the bill’s explanatory note, a residence permit is intended to ensure permanent residence in Kyrgyzstan, provide access to government services and social benefits, and exempt holders from visa and work permit requirements. Adoption of the new procedures is expected to improve the efficiency of migration regulation in the country.
According to the Ministry of Labor, Social Security, and Migration, the quota for foreign workers in Kyrgyzstan for 2026 has been set at 52,000.
