Migration - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 211

Migration

Emigration from Kazakhstan Drops to Lowest Level in a Decade

Kazakhstan is witnessing a significant decline in emigration, reaching its lowest level in more than ten years, according to a study by analysts at Ranking.kz. The analysis, based on data from the National Statistics Bureau (NSB) of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan (ASPiR RK), highlights shifting demographic and economic patterns within the country. Statistical Overview and Long-Term Trends In the first four months of 2025, just 1,700 individuals left Kazakhstan for permanent residence abroad, a figure 2.8 times lower than the same period in 2024, when 4,800 people emigrated. Immigration also declined slightly, with 8,100 people entering Kazakhstan between January and April 2025, compared to 9,900 the previous year. Despite this, the migration balance remains positive, with more people arriving than leaving. A longer-term view underscores a consistent downward trend. In 2000, some 155,700 people emigrated. By 2024, this figure had dropped to 12,700. Notable upticks occurred during periods of heightened outflow, specifically between 2006-2008 and 2013-2019. However, for the past two years, Kazakhstan has maintained a positive migration balance. In 2024, 23,900 people immigrated to the country, nearly double the number who left. Key Destinations for Emigrants Most emigrants originate from Kazakhstan's northern and eastern regions. In 2024, 47.9% of those who left came from the Kostanay, Pavlodar, Abai, North Kazakhstan, and East Kazakhstan regions. Russia continues to be the primary destination, receiving 69% of all Kazakhstani emigrants. However, that number is sharply down: from January to March 2025, only 644 citizens moved to Russia, a 75.5% decline compared to the same period in 2024. Germany is the second most popular destination. In 2024, approximately 2,000 Kazakhstani citizens relocated there, but this too marked a significant decrease of 67.9%. Emigration to nearly all traditional destinations has declined, with the exception of Kyrgyzstan. While still relatively minor in scale (about 300 people annually), migration to Kyrgyzstan is gradually increasing, particularly from Kazakhstan’s southern regions. Causes Behind the Decline The United Nations Population Fund had previously forecast a drop in emigration, attributing it to Kazakhstan’s economic development, increased labor demand, and the diminishing pool of ethnic migrants. Demographic shifts also play a role. Population growth in southern Central Asian republics is contributing to a new influx of migrants into Kazakhstan. A 2024 public opinion survey conducted by the Demoscope Express Monitoring Bureau supports these trends. Among the 1,100 respondents, 78.5% said they had no plans to emigrate within the next two to three years. Only 6.9% expressed intent to leave, and 5.6% said they would like to emigrate but were currently unable to do so. The most commonly cited reasons for emigration include the desire for higher income (24.5%), better employment opportunities (14%), and a perceived lack of prospects within Kazakhstan (23.9%). Other motivations include studying abroad (11.7%), family reunification (2.6%), and returning to ancestral homelands (0.6%).

Youth Exchange Program

Amidst Diplomatic Tensions, Russia and Uzbekistan Explore Long-Term Youth Exchange Program

During a recent meeting with the heads of global news agencies in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin responded positively to a proposal from Uzbekistan’s National News Agency (UzA) to establish a long-term youth exchange program aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and addressing migration-related issues. Abdusaid Kochimov, Director General of UzA, initiated the proposal, emphasizing the historical and cultural ties between the two countries. “There is a strong interest in Uzbekistan in everything that happens in and around Russia. Our societies share close mentalities and traditions,” he said. Kochimov praised the leadership of Presidents Vladimir Putin and Shavkat Mirziyoyev in deepening strategic cooperation, describing their efforts as “titanic.” However, he pointed out persistent challenges in the migration sphere and argued that a structured youth program with defined goals could foster deeper mutual understanding and resolve some of these issues. “There is a real need for a large-scale and long-term youth exchange program with clear projects and goals,” Kochimov said. “This would bring our young people closer and build a strong, friendly image of each other, based on our shared values and history.” President Putin welcomed the suggestion, noting ongoing collaboration between Russia and Uzbekistan across several sectors, including energy. He referenced the two countries’ partnership in nuclear energy development and acknowledged Uzbekistan’s rapidly growing population, from 15 million three decades ago to 38 million today, highlighting the resulting pressures on its labor market. “We agreed with President Mirziyoyev to prepare people who want to work in Russia in advance. This includes learning the Russian language and culture. There’s a good plan in place,” Putin said, adding, “This work is not just important, it’s essential. I fully agree with you.” Putin also mentioned recent visits by Uzbek officials to Moscow, including Saida Mirziyoyeva, which included discussions on youth engagement. He reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to supporting joint initiatives in this area. However, this positive diplomatic development comes against the backdrop of recent tensions over the treatment of Uzbek nationals in Russia. On June 10, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry summoned Russian diplomats to protest what it called the aggressive and disrespectful conduct of law enforcement officers during identity checks on Uzbek migrants. The protest followed a major police raid in Moscow’s Strogino district on June 8. Footage shared online appeared to show migrants being forcibly removed, verbally abused, and subjected to electric shocks. Uzbek authorities criticized these actions as unauthorized and unacceptable. In response, Uzbekistan’s embassy in Moscow issued an official note requesting a legal explanation and urging Russian authorities to treat migrants with dignity in line with international standards. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova confirmed that the matter is currently under official review.

Migration

Citizens of Central Asia Face New Entry Restrictions To Russia and the U.S.

Citizens of Central Asian countries are encountering a wave of new travel restrictions from two major global powers, Russia and the United States. In recent weeks, Moscow and Washington have both introduced or expanded measures that complicate entry for citizens of the region, raising concerns about migration rights, bilateral relations, and regional security. Russia Tightens Border Rules Starting June 30, 2025, citizens from visa-free countries, including Kazakhstan, will be required to obtain a special QR code to enter Russia. The code must be secured in advance via the Gosuslugi RuID app, at least 72 hours before travel, or four hours in emergency cases. The app is not yet operational, but Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has confirmed its planned launch on the same date. While Russia maintains visa-free arrangements with over 30 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Israel, and all CIS members, these new digital entry requirements apply broadly. Exceptions include citizens of countries already subject to visa regimes, diplomats, and citizens of Belarus, a Union State member. Additionally, as of January 1, 2025, the allowable visa-free stay in Russia for citizens of these countries has been reduced from 90 days per half-year to 90 days per calendar year. Many Kazakhstani travelers fear that the new rules will result in long queues and technical delays at border crossings. More broadly, critics point out that the move undermines the spirit of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), whose member states, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Belarus, and Russia, are supposed to enjoy facilitated mobility. Response to the Crocus City Hall Attack The changes come in the wake of the March 22, 2024 terrorist attack at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall, which left at least 145 dead and more than 500 injured. The suspects in the attack were reportedly citizens of Tajikistan, sparking a wave of anti-migrant sentiment in Russia. According to Temur Umarov, a Berlin-based political analyst at the Carnegie Center, Russian authorities are prioritizing security over economic necessity. "Russia is doing everything possible to reduce the number of migrants from Central Asia," he said, noting the vital role these workers play in several Russian industries. Regional Backlash Public figures and officials in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan have expressed frustration over Russia’s tightened migration policy. In Kyrgyzstan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a formal protest with the Russian ambassador following a widely publicized incident in which Kyrgyz citizens were forcibly removed from a Moscow bathhouse. Member of Parliament Zhana Akayev strongly condemned the treatment of Kyrgyz nationals: “Partners and allies do not behave like this. They are humiliating our citizens,” he said. Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin criticized Russia’s approach as inhumane and called for migration policies that respect mutual interests and fundamental rights. In Uzbekistan, several bloggers have gone further, calling for entry bans on Russian public figures, including Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, for alleged chauvinistic remarks. Kazakhstan has taken a more measured stance. Aibek Smadiyarov, a spokesman for the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, emphasized that the QR code system does not constitute a...

Migration

Kyrgyz Government Urges Foreign Citizens to Legalize Their Status Ahead of Deadline

Over 12,000 foreign citizens are currently employed in Kyrgyzstan, according to Jumabek Myrzabayev, head of the Migration Department at the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration, who shared this information with Birinchi Radio. Foreign nationals are primarily engaged in the construction, light industry, manufacturing, trade, and services sectors. The majority of work permits have been issued to citizens from China, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. For 2025, Kyrgyzstan has set a foreign labor force quota of 25,000 individuals. The Kyrgyz government has provided a short window for foreign citizens who have violated the country’s migration laws to legalize their stay. This amnesty, which concludes today, June 10, 2025, applies to individuals with expired visas or residence permits, those without valid documents confirming legal stay, and those who have breached their purpose of entry or transit rules. Authorities have warned that after today's deadline, foreign citizens remaining in Kyrgyzstan illegally will face deportation. Myrzabayev reported that more than 3,000 applications have been submitted by foreigners seeking to regularize their status in Kyrgyzstan.

Migration

Center for Labor Migrants Opens in Kyrgyzstan

On May 28, a new Center for Pre-Migration Orientation and Reintegration of Migrants was inaugurated in Bishkek, marking a significant step toward safer and more organized labor migration for Kyrgyz citizens. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Kyrgyzstan, nearly 40% of the country’s youth migrate abroad for work, often without formal contracts or adequate preparation. The newly established center is designed to assist prospective and returning migrants in navigating the complexities of labor migration. The center is part of a broader IOM initiative funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Speaking at the opening ceremony, IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasized the center’s mission: “At the Center, we will help prospective and returning migrants get the tools and information they need to stay safe and successful. When migration is safe, regular, and dignified, it leads to better outcomes for the migrants, the country they go to work in, and the country they come from.” The project was developed in partnership with Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration and the Ministry of Education. Minister Ravshanbek Sabirov highlighted the center’s importance: “The Center is an important step toward protecting the rights and ensuring decent conditions for our migrants. Here they will be able to obtain the necessary information, prepare for going abroad, and successfully return, having undergone retraining and confirmed their professional skills.” With IOM’s support, the center also includes a specialized laboratory for certifying professional competencies in the public catering sector. By the end of 2025, the lab aims to certify at least 200 migrants pursuing culinary employment, easing their path to jobs abroad. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that around 600,000 Kyrgyz citizens are currently living abroad, with Russia remaining the primary destination. As of the end of 2024, nearly 380,000 Kyrgyz nationals were registered with Russian migration authorities. However, due to Russia’s economic downturn, stricter immigration rules, and a rise in anti-immigrant sentiment, many Kyrgyz migrants have begun seeking alternatives in countries such as Turkey, South Korea, and various parts of Europe.

Migration

Kyrgyz Authorities Announce Crackdown on Illegal Migration

On June 10, Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (GKNB) will launch a nationwide campaign titled Operation Illegal, aimed at identifying and deporting undocumented migrants. The initiative will involve joint efforts by the GKNB and other law enforcement agencies, with a focus on conducting mass checks of foreign nationals residing in the country. The operation comes amid a sharp rise in the number of foreigners entering Kyrgyzstan in recent months. Speaking at a law enforcement coordination meeting, GKNB Chairman Kamchibek Tashiev outlined the scale of the influx: “Since the beginning of the year, 61,000 tourists, 30,000 foreign students, and 12,000 officially registered migrant workers have arrived in Kyrgyzstan. An additional 10,000 have entered for family, religious, or business purposes. The number of illegal migrants is estimated to exceed 5,000.” Tashiev stressed that Kyrgyzstan’s simplified entry procedures are being exploited, with some foreigners misrepresenting the purpose of their stay. “Under the guise of tourism or education, some individuals are engaging in unauthorized labor activities,” he said. He also noted that host organizations, such as universities or private companies, often lose track of those they invite, leaving many foreign citizens to remain in the country with expired visas. “This vulnerability can lead to a range of social issues,” Tashiev warned. “We are increasingly seeing cases of alcohol and drug abuse, breaches of public order, and even disrespect toward local customs and culture.” Under Operation Illegal, authorities will carry out raids to verify the legal status of all foreign nationals. By June 10, all non-citizens must be able to prove their right to remain in Kyrgyzstan or prepare to leave. The government has allocated 280 million Kyrgyz soms (approximately $3.2 million) to fund deportation efforts.