Migration - The Times Of Central Asia

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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.

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.

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.

Uzbekistan and Russia Hold First Meeting on Labor Migration and Migrant Rights

On April 29, an interagency delegation from Uzbekistan visited Moscow for the inaugural session of the Uzbekistan–Russia working group on labor migration and migrant rights. The Prosecutor General’s Office of Uzbekistan reported that the delegation was led by Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prosecutor General Shohrukh Aminov. The Russian delegation was headed by Deputy Prosecutor General Pyotr Gorodov and included representatives from the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Federal Security Service, and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Internal Affairs. Uzbekistan’s delegation comprised officials from the Prosecutor General’s Office, the State Security Service, the Migration Agency, and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, and Health. During the meeting, the two sides discussed the current state of labor migration, identified ongoing challenges, and explored potential solutions. They agreed to develop joint measures to regulate legal migration while balancing the interests of both countries. The delegations also agreed to strengthen oversight of the rights of Uzbek citizens working in Russia and Russian citizens visiting Uzbekistan. Both countries’ Prosecutor General’s Offices pledged to closely monitor the protection of migrant rights. At the conclusion of the meeting, a protocol was signed outlining the decisions made. The implementation of these agreements will be jointly monitored by both Prosecutor General’s Offices. The session followed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s recent visit to Uzbekistan, during which he stressed the importance of migrants understanding Russian laws and language. While warning of an increase in migrant-related crime, he also acknowledged Russia’s ongoing need for foreign labor.

Migration

Kyrgyzstan Seeks to Expand Labor Quotas for Work in the UK

Seventeen thousand Kyrgyz citizens are expected to work in the United Kingdom this year under a state-sponsored employment program, according to Ulan Jusupov, Kyrgyzstan’s ambassador to the UK. Jusupov made the announcement during a session of the Jogorku Kenesh, the Kyrgyz parliament. Addressing lawmakers, the ambassador noted that the number of Kyrgyz nationals seeking employment in the UK continues to grow each year, driven by more favorable working conditions compared to those in other European countries and Russia, where nearly 90% of Kyrgyz migrant workers are currently employed. “In 2022, 4,500 of our citizens went to work in England. That number rose to 7,500 in 2023, and in 2024 it has increased to 10,000,” Jusupov said. The Times of Central Asia has previously reported on the challenges Kyrgyz labor migrants face in Europe, with many choosing to leave Russia due to frequent legal issues and labor disputes. As a result, an increasing number are turning to the Center for Employment of Citizens Abroad (CTHR) for assistance in securing work in alternative destinations. In 2022, CTHR signed a memorandum of cooperation with British recruitment company AGRI-HR to facilitate seasonal employment for Kyrgyz nationals in the UK. While AGRI-HR primarily focuses on jobs in the agricultural sector, CTHR also offers a range of vacancies in a range of other places, including Slovakia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Russia. According to CTHR, other favorable countries for Kyrgyz workers include Germany, Italy, France, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. Most opportunities in these regions are in agriculture and related fields, and Kyrgyz citizens can legally work there under established programs. During the parliamentary session, members of the Committee on International Affairs, Defense, Security, and Migration urged Jusupov to enhance the embassy’s efforts in safeguarding the rights and interests of Kyrgyz labor migrants in the UK. Lawmakers also called for an increase in labor quotas and requested that the embassy conduct educational outreach for prospective workers, informing them about British culture, labor ethics, and legal rights prior to their departure.

Lithuania to Review Migration Policy Toward Central Asian Countries

Lithuania is preparing to revise its migration policy toward citizens from Central Asian nations, citing growing concerns over radicalization risks. Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas announced the potential changes following a meeting with President Gitanas Nausėda, according to local media reports. “Unfortunately, it seems we need to recognize that people from some countries are more likely to become radicalized,” Paluckas told reporters. “We should consider adjusting our immigration policy and focus on bringing in skilled workers from countries that are closer to us culturally.” His remarks came shortly after the head of Lithuania’s State Security Department, Darius Jauniškis, revealed that approximately ten individuals from Central Asian countries had recently been denied entry over alleged ties to terrorist groups and concerns regarding radicalization. Jauniškis also warned of a broader trend, noting a rising risk of radicalization among migrants from both Central and South Asia. Paluckas added that Lithuania currently maintains numerous visa centers in countries whose cultural values may not align with those of Lithuania. “We are looking ahead and planning to update our migration policy so that it better reflects cultural closeness,” he said. Migration Trends from Central Asia Lithuania has experienced a significant increase in migration from Central Asia in recent years, prompting authorities to heighten security oversight. According to Lithuanian intelligence, the number of migrants from the region in 2024 was 14 times higher than in 2021. Despite this sharp rise, former Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė has urged caution in interpreting the figures, noting that the total number of migrants remains relatively small and not a cause for alarm. She attributed the increase in part to labor shortages, particularly after many Ukrainian men were conscripted for military service amid the ongoing war. As of October 2024, approximately 10,600 Uzbek nationals were residing in Lithuania, up from fewer than 1,000 in early 2022. Uzbeks now constitute the fourth-largest foreign community in the country. The number of Tajik citizens also rose significantly, from 5,700 to 7,200 in the first nine months of 2024 alone.