Kyrgyzstan Travel Information

An exception state is declared. The borders are closed and commercial flights are canceled. According to Abbreviationfinder, KYR stands for Kyrgyzstan in geography.

Safety

The traffic picture can be chaotic and there is a lot of unruly driving. Dark driving on country roads is not recommended. Exposed roads are rarely secured. Some stretches may be impassable during winter. It is not recommended to travel outdoors alone in the big cities after dark.

It is important to take precautions in the Fergana Valley as well as in the other border areas of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan due to land mines.

Kyrgyzstan is located in a seismically active area.

The risk of terrorist incidents in Kyrgyzstan is considered low, but cannot be ruled out.

Norwegians traveling to Kyrgyzstan should have valid travel insurance, as the National Insurance Scheme does not cover sickness or accident expenses. Everyone who is going to the region should register at reiseregistrering.no.

Kyrgyzstan has a somewhat more active civil society and less stable political system than its neighbors, and there are often demonstrations and protests in several of its cities. Although most are conducted in a peaceful manner, it has happened that these have led to greater riots. It is therefore recommended to avoid districts where such demonstrations are planned. Protesters appear to be blocking roads.

  • Countryaah: Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Check to find information of population, geography, history, and economy about the capital city.

In the event of a crisis or emergency, the public can contact the UD’s 24-hour operating center on tel: +47 23 95 00 00. E-mail: UDops@mfa.no

Who can ask for assistance?

All Norwegian citizens can request assistance, but also refugees or stateless persons residing in Norway can expect assistance during a temporary stay abroad. Persons who move abroad to settle there or to stay there for at least six months must, before departure, report to the Population Register in the place of residence or residence.

Major Landmarks in Kyrgyzstan

Entry

Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.

In the summer of 2012, Kyrgyzstan lifted the visa requirement for nationals in 44 countries – including Norwegian citizens. The new visa-free regime gives the right to stay visa-free in Kyrgyzstan for up to 60 days.

It is recommended to carry a passport, as one is obliged to identify himself. Alternatively, it is common practice to leave the passport at the hotel and to present a copy.

Norwegians with interests that do not fall within the new visa regime can apply for a visa at the Kyrgyzstan Embassy in Berlin:

Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the BRD
Otto-Suhr-Allee 146 10585 Berlin, Germany
Phone: +49 (30) 34 78 13 38, Fax: +49 (30) 34 78 13 62
E-mail: info @ botschaft-Kyrgyzstan. the
Website: http://www.botschaft-kirgisien.de/

Health

Coronavirus (covid-19): No cases of coronavirus in Kyrgyzstan have been reported so far. However, cases have been recorded in all countries bordering the five Central Asian countries. China is relatively large in all five Central Asian countries. However, Kyrgyzstan has taken measures such as stricter border control and temperature screening on arrival. The situation may change rapidly and may, for example, lead to quarantine after entry. It is recommended to keep abreast of developments in planning trips to Kyrgyzstan.

The entry and exit restrictions are becoming ever more stringent. The same applies to travel restrictions between the regions domestically.

You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.

***

Vaccines that may be relevant to take before entering Kyrgyzstan may include hepatitis A, diphtheria and tetanus vaccine, typhoid fever vaccine.

For updated recommendations on vaccination before departure, see information from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

The hospitals in Kyrgyzstan do not meet Western standards, and with the exception of a few institutions in the capital, so are both with expertise and material. It is not common for health professionals to know Western languages.

For instant help:

Ministry of Emergency Situations (24hrs) Tel. +996 322 221 844
+ 996 312 544 669
Mob. +996 770 800 444
Tel. +996 322 221 844
+ 996 312 544 669
Mob. +996 770 800 444

Healthy Healing Association of the Administrative Department of the President Tel.: +996 312 62 15 75 (24 hours)
Tel.: +996 312 66 03 98
Fax: + 996 312 62 64 91 110 Kievskaya Str, Bishkek

Note that the National Insurance Scheme does not normally cover expenses that Norwegians in Kyrgyzstan have to bear in connection with illness and accidents. It is therefore strongly recommended to have valid travel insurance. Tap water is not recommended for cooking and drinking. Bottled water is available everywhere in Kyrgyzstan.

Practical information

According to allcitycodes, Kyrgyzstan area code is +996. To call Kyrgyzstan from Norway, dial +996 and then the phone number. Telephone lines are of varying quality and it is expensive to call abroad, not least from hotel telephones. GSM coverage is good in cities. To call Norway from landline, dial 0047 followed by telephone number in Norway, from mobile use +47 and not 0047 as a preset.

Kyrgyzstan is in the GMT +6 time zone.

The voltage of the power supply in Kyrgyzstan is 220 volts, 50 Hz. The contact plug is the same as in Norway. The Internet domain is.kg. The network is relatively well developed in Bishkek, and wireless access is increasingly common in hotels. National currency is like. Visa and, to a lesser extent, MasterCard are both usable in the big cities, but be aware that card tapping and misuse occur. Credit cards can be used at most major hotels, and ATMs are common in all major and medium-sized cities. It is relatively unusual, but often possible, to pay by card at restaurants.

Outside the big cities, you can still often only pay with cash and not with cards. You should only exchange money with government approved money changers. It is easiest to exchange US dollars, euros, Russian rubles and Chinese yuan.

Banks and government offices are usually open weekdays from 0900-1800, with an hour or two break in the middle of the day. On Saturday, public offices are closed, while banks are normally open until 2 pm or 3 pm. Supermarkets and other stores are open every day from approx. 10am to 9pm, often longer (some stay closed Sundays).

There are periodic power outages across the country. Some areas may be without power for up to six hours per day.

Official Holidays in Kyrgyzstan: January 1 – First New Year’s Day, January 7 – Russian Orthodox Christmas, February 23 – Armed Forces Day, March 8 – International Women’s Day, March 21 – Nauryz Meyrami (Traditional Spring Celebration), 24. March – celebration of the March Revolution, May 1 – Workers’ International Day, May 5 – Constitution Day, May 9 – Victory Day (World War II), August 31 – Independence Day (USSR).

Muslim holidays that vary from year to year for 2015 are as follows: January 3 – Moulid an-Nabi (Prophet Muhammad’s birthday), June 17 – Ramadan (fasting), July 18 – Eid al-Fitr (two to three days celebration of the end of the fast, Ramadan), September 23 – Eid al-Azha (Sacrifice).

The people of Kyrgyzstan are friendly and welcoming and want visitors to have a pleasant stay. Still, you sometimes run into people who see service as a foreign word.

Kyrgyzstan has a secular system of government and religion is relatively less prominent in the public sphere. Most Kyrgyz are Sunni Muslims. South Kyrgyzstan is more traditional than the north. As a traveler you should respect local traditions and customs and be aware that your actions do not offend the culture and religion of the country. There are no special dress codes or restrictions on the consumption of alcohol. Kyrgyz people will in many ways dress more ornamentally and formally than Norwegians.

Kyrgyz is an official language, but Russian also has official status and is widely used, especially in the capital Bishkek. Knowledge of other foreign languages ​​is limited, but English is also on the rise here.

Be careful about taking pictures in places that may be perceived to have military and/or security interests. All possession and use of drugs is totally prohibited and can result in lengthy prison sentences. It is recommended to carry a passport or a certified copy of the passport at all times. The police have the authority to arrest any person who cannot identify themselves.

It looks like the issue of fake personals has spread to Kyrgyzstan. Norwegians are advised not to send money to people with whom they have only had email contact or telephone contact. The scammers have sometimes maintained email contact for a long time before the scams have been carried out. If you want to buy tickets for and to the invited party, it is recommended to buy electronic tickets directly from the airlines or from a Norwegian travel agency that offers a refund if the traveler does not show up. Airline tickets are not required to be submitted in connection with visa applications.

If the invitee has issued a financial guarantee form, the applicant who does not need to show that he/she has a certain amount of money in his account. Passports, travel documents and visa applications do not cost large amounts on the Norwegian scale. The border control in Kyrgyzstan does not require Kyrgyz nationals to have a certain amount of money on account or in cash.

Consulate of Norway in Kyrgyzstan:

Aizhan Chynybaeva
Private address: Tash dobo street, Ala-Archa, house 36,
Phone: +996 555 822 239
Email: achynybaeva@gmail.com

Postal address: 429 “b”, 5th floor, Frunze Street, 720011 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Office address: Club Hotel Dostuk, 429 “b”, 5th floor, Frunze Street, 720011, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Phone: +996 312 433 888; +996 312 433 777, fax: +996 312 43 71 85
E-mail: hotel@clubhotel.kg