Date of publication:
01/08/2026
Kyrgyzstan
Do domestic laws and policies provide refugees and stateless persons access to naturalization?
Assessment by population
Analysis
According to Article 15 of the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On Refugees” dated May 21, 2007, No. 70, refugees recognized by the state have the opportunity to acquire citizenship of the Kyrgyz Republic in the manner prescribed by the country's legislation on citizenship. This provision confirms that the domestic laws of the Kyrgyz Republic provide for access of refugees to the naturalization process.
At the same time, refugees are required to notify authorized bodies within seven days of any changes related to the acquisition of citizenship of the Kyrgyz Republic, change of surname, name, family composition, marital status, as well as obtaining a permit for permanent residence in the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic. This requirement helps ensure transparency and accounting of these persons under state protection.
In accordance with the Law on Citizenship of the Kyrgyz Republic, dated May 21, 2007, № 70 recognized stateless persons have the right to naturalization in accordance with the requirements and procedure established by the legislation on citizenship issues.
Thus, the policy of the Kyrgyz Republic provides for access of refugees to naturalization subject to compliance with the established procedures.
Related provisions of domestic law or policy
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 15 - Acquisition of citizenship of the Kyrgyz Republic by a refugee
Acquisition of citizenship of the Kyrgyz Republic by a refugee shall be carried out in accordance with the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic on citizenship.
The Law of the Kyrgyz Republic on Citizenship
- Year: 2007
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Asylum, Liberty & security of person, Nationality & facilitated naturalization, Family life, Documentation
- Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2007/en/72655
Legal provision
Article 13 - Conditions for admission to citizenship of the Kyrgyz Republic in the general manner
Conditions for admission to citizenship of the Kyrgyz Republic in the general manner 1. Foreign citizens and stateless persons who have reached the age of 18 have the right to apply for admission to citizenship of the Kyrgyz Republic in the general manner. The period of residence of foreign citizens and stateless persons in the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic, established by paragraph 1 of part 1 of this article, is reduced to three years in the presence of at least one of the following grounds: 2) the presence of high achievements in the field of science, technology, culture, sports, as well as the presence of a profession or qualification in demand in the Kyrgyz Republic; 3) investment in priority sectors of the economy of the Kyrgyz Republic. The investment procedure and the amount of investment are approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic; 4) upon recognition of them as refugees or stateless persons in accordance with the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic; 5) foreign citizens and stateless persons who have entered into marriage with a citizen of the Kyrgyz Republic
Article 14 - Admission to citizenship of the Kyrgyz Republic in a simplified procedure
1. Foreign citizens and stateless persons who have reached the age of 18 have the right to apply for admission to citizenship of the Kyrgyz Republic in a simplified procedure. The period of their residence in the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic, established by paragraph 1 of part 1 of Article 13, is reduced to one year, unless otherwise provided by international treaties that have entered into force in the manner prescribed by law, to which the Kyrgyz Republic is a party, if they: 1) have at least one parent who has citizenship of the Kyrgyz Republic and resides in the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic; 2) were born in the Kyrgyz SSR and/or had citizenship of the former USSR; 3) are reinstated in the citizenship of the Kyrgyz Republic.