Türkiye has decided to extend the visa-free regime for citizens of Kyrgyzstan for up to six months, as announced by the Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Türkiye, Ruslan Kazakbaev.
Previously, Kyrgyzstanis were permitted to enter Türkiye visa-free for up to three months, VisaGuide.World reports.
The new policy aims to encourage Kyrgyz nationals whose visas have expired to legalize their stay in the country for longer periods, as reported by the News Agency 24.kg.
Kazakbaev made this announcement during the Parliament’s Committee on International Affairs, Defense, Security and Migration meeting.
He said that there are currently about 20,000 Kyrgyzstanis in Türkiye, with their number reaching 40,000 during the summer.
This is due to the holiday season in Antalya, which lasts up to seven months. But there are also problems. The visa-free regime for Kyrgyzstanis lasts 90 days.
However, he noted that these issues were resolved due to collaboration between the respective authorities between the two countries.
Regarding the new measures, he said a green corridor has opened for Kyrgyzstan citizens who have broken local laws.
Previously, they were blacklisted, banned from entering the country and subject to fines. A green corridor has been opened until the end of the year so citizens can leave and come back in a simplified manner after paying a fine.
Kazakbaev further noted that Türkiye is issuing its final warning, providing citizens whose three-month tourist visas have expired with an opportunity to find an employer and legalise their residency within the country.
Despite the Turkish country, Kyrgyz passport holders can currently travel visa-free to 26 other countries and territories. Kyrgyzstan passport is ranked 133rd, and citizens of this country are required to obtain a visa in 151 other countries, according to the VisaGuide Passport Index.
In addition to Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye has recently changed visa policies towards some other countries. Last December, Turkish authorities granted visa-free entry to six more countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Canada, Bahrain, and Oman.
Türkiye introduced such a measure in an effort to attract more tourists and surpass levels recorded in 2019, the pre-pandemic year.
As of December 2023, citizens of these countries can now stay in Türkiye for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa when visiting the country for tourism purposes.
Meanwhile, citizens who intend to stay longer in Türkiye for work or study will have to undergo visa procedures.