Date of publication:
01/08/2026
Kyrgyzstan
Do domestic laws and policies allow individuals to leave the country?
Assessment by population
Analysis
The legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic regulating the right of persons to leave the country of their habitual residence demonstrates adherence to international human rights standards. Particular attention is paid to the protection of the rights of asylum seekers and refugees.
Under article 6 of the Law "On Refugees" of March 25, 2002 №44, persons who have applied for recognition as refugees have the right to return voluntarily to the country of their nationality. The legislation also grants them the right to leave for subsequent residence in a foreign State. This legislative provision demonstrates the desire of the Kyrgyz Republic to ensure the right of asylum-seekers to leave their country of habitual residence freely. Article 13 of the Law "On Refugees" expands the list of rights for persons granted refugee status in the Kyrgyz Republic. In addition to the guarantees provided for asylum seekers, refugees receive:
- identity documents confirming their status.
- travel documents, which are required to travel outside the Kyrgyz Republic (this change was introduced in the Law on Refugees on 19 April 2023). These provisions are in line with international requirements, however, there is currently no separate legal act that would approve the form, standards and procedure for issuing travel documents. The adoption of such a document could address the existing gap and further strengthen the guarantees of the right to freedom of movement for refugees.
The procedure for asylum seekers and refugees to leave the country is regulated by the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic ‘On External Migration’ of July 17, 2000 № 61. According to article 7 of this law, foreign citizens and stateless persons, including refugees, have the right to leave the country through checkpoints at the State border if they have:
- valid identity documents;
- visas (if necessary).
The procedure for issuing visas is regulated by the Instruction on the procedure for issuing visas of the Kyrgyz Republic. The Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Migration actively supports asylum seekers and refugees. In particular, it issues letters of support to apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an exit visa. These measures demonstrate the desire of the Kyrgyz Republic to establish practical mechanisms for realizing the right to leave the country freely.
The laws of the Kyrgyz Republic ensure that persons who have applied for refugee status, as well as those who have been recognized as refugees, have the right to free movement, including the ability to leave the country of their habitual residence.
Improving legal regulation in this area, including the adoption of a legal act on travel documents, would contribute to strengthening the rights and freedoms of persons seeking international protection and emphasize the role of the Kyrgyz Republic as a responsible member of the international community.
Related provisions of domestic law or policy
The Law of the Kyrgyz Republic on External Migration
- Year: 2000
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Freedom of movement, Documentation
- Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2000/en/14690?prevDestination=search&prevPath=/search?keywords=Law+on+External+Migration&order=desc&page=1&sm_country_name%5B%5D=Kyrgyzstan&sort=score&result=result-14690-en
Legal provision
Article 7 - Entry into and exit from the Kyrgyz Republic of foreign citizens or stateless persons
Foreign citizens or stateless persons enter and exit the Kyrgyz Republic through checkpoints on the state border that are open for international traffic with valid documents and visas, unless otherwise provided by regulatory legal acts of the Kyrgyz Republic and international treaties that have entered into force in accordance with the procedure established by law and to which the Kyrgyz Republic is a party.
The Law of the Kyrgyz Republic on Refugees
- Year: 2002
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality & facilitated naturalization, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation
- Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2002/en/119852?prevDestination=search&prevPath=/search?keywords=Law+on+refugees&order=desc&page=1&sm_country_name%5B%5D=Kyrgyzstan&sort=score&result=result-119852-en
Legal provision
Article 6 - Rights and obligations of a person who has applied for recognition as a refugee
A person applying for recognition as a refugee in the Kyrgyz Republic and his family members have the right to: - move freely throughout the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic, with the exception of areas closed to foreign citizens in accordance with the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic; - reside in a place of temporary settlement and use public utilities; - use medical care; - to have the Kyrgyz Republic assist in obtaining information about relatives living in the country of citizenship; - to voluntarily return to the country of citizenship; - to leave for a place of residence in a foreign country; - to be provided with judicial protection; - to receive an education; - to receive the services of an interpreter; - to be exempt from paying expenses related to the consideration of an application for refugee status at all stages.
Article 13 - Rights and obligations of a refugee in the Kyrgyz Republic
A person recognized as a refugee in the Kyrgyz Republic enjoys the same rights and bears the same obligations as foreign citizens permanently residing in the Kyrgyz Republic. A person recognized as a refugee in the Kyrgyz Republic shall also be granted the rights and obligations of a person applying for refugee status, as stipulated by Article 6 of this Law. A person recognized as a refugee in the Kyrgyz Republic and his family members shall have the right to: - reside for three months in a temporary settlement; - choose a settlement from among those proposed by the Authorized Body in which his relatives reside as their place of permanent residence, subject to their consent to cohabitation; - work for hire or engage in entrepreneurial activity in accordance with the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic; - acquire real estate under the conditions established for foreign citizens and stateless persons by the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic; - receive, with the assistance of the relevant state bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic, information about property left behind in the state of previous residence; - have the necessary documents proving his identity and travel documents; - to receive medical care on an equal basis with citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic; - to receive administrative assistance when applying to state bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic; - to mandatory registration of civil status acts and receipt of relevant documents.