Foreign travel advice

Kyrgyzstan

Important COVID-19 Travel

Under current UK COVID-19 restrictions, you must stay at home. You must not travel, including abroad, unless you have a legally permitted reason to do so. It is illegal to travel abroad for holidays and other leisure purposes.

Check the rules that apply to you in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

If you intend to travel to the UK from abroad, including UK nationals returning home, you must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result taken up to 3 days before departure. If you do not comply (and you do not have a valid exemption) your airline or carrier may refuse you boarding and/or you may be fined on arrival.

Before you return to the UK you must provide your journey and contact details. You must self-isolate when you enter the UK from any foreign country except Ireland, unless you have a valid exemption.

When you enter England from abroad (except Ireland), you must follow the new requirements for quarantining and taking additional COVID-19 tests. For those travelling from a country on the banned travel list you will be required to quarantine in a hotel. Different rules apply for arrivals into England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

If you are legally permitted to travel abroad, check our advice on your country of destination. Some other countries have closed borders, and may further restrict movement or bring in new rules including testing requirements with little warning.

Summary

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to:

  • the whole of Kyrgyzstan based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks.

Travel to Kyrgyzstan is subject to entry restrictions

  • British nationals are able to enter Kyrgyzstan.
  • A negative PCR test, taken no more than 72 hours before your arrival , is needed for all foreign nationals entering Kyrgyzstan. In case of flight delays or extended transit exceeding 72 hours, the passenger must take a PCR test upon arrival to the country. Passengers must complete a questionnaire for entering the Kyrgyz Republic on board their flight. Requirements could change at short notice. Check with your airline or travel provider before travel.

See Entry requirements

Preparing for your return journey to the UK

If you’re returning to the UK from overseas, you will need to:

If your return journey to the UK transits another country, you should check whether it is subject to a travel ban or any other additional requirements. If so, contact your travel provider.

Check our advice on foreign travel during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and sign up for email alerts for this travel advice.

If 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 FCDO guidance on foreign travel insurance.

For information about COVID-19 vaccines, see the Coronavirus page.

The Kyrgyz authorities have lifted most restrictions introduced in response to the Coronavirus. A negative PCR test from no more than 72 hours before your arrival is now needed for entry into Kyrgyzstan. In case of flight delays or extended transit exceeding 72 hours the passenger must take a PCR test upon arrival. See Coronavirus and Entry requirements. Further restrictions could be reintroduced at short notice if the situation deteriorates. You should follow local government advice, and media reporting for notice of changes to Coronavirus requirements.

Terrorist attacks in Kyrgyzstan can not 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 can occur along the disputed Kyrgyz-Tajik border. Previous incidents have involved both civilians and border guards and several have involved firearms. There are also occasional security incidents on the Kyrgyz/Uzbek and Kyrgyz/Kazakh borders. There’s a risk of further localised violence and border closures at any time. You should remain vigilant in border areas and check local media reports before you travel. See Local travel

You should also be aware that Kazakhstan has introduced visa requirements, and has additional entry requirements in place. See the Visas Section of Travel Advice for Kazakhstan for more information.

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.