[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]In an effort to facilitate more extended stays and encourage legal residency for citizens of Kyrgyzstan, the Turkish government has declared an extension of the visa-free regime, allowing stays of up to six months.
The announcement came from Ruslan Kazakbaev, the Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Turkey, during a meeting of the Parliament’s Committee on International Affairs, Defense, Security, and Migration. Previously, Kyrgyz nationals enjoyed a visa-free entry to Turkey for a duration of three months, but this extension is designed to prompt individuals from Kyrgyzstan, especially those with expired visas, to regularize their stay in Turkey for more extended periods.
Read more: Turkey Initiates Visa-Free Entry for Citizens of Six Nations
Ambassador Kazakbaev revealed that approximately 20,000 Kyrgyz nationals are currently residing in Turkey, with the number increasing to 40,000 during the summer months, particularly due to the extended holiday season in Antalya.
The primary issue faced by citizens from Kyrgyzstan was the 90-day limit on visa-free stays, which has now been addressed through collaboration between authorities of both countries. Alongside the extension of the visa-free stay, a green corridor has been established for Kyrgyz citizens who may have violated local laws. This corridor allows them to exit and re-enter Turkey after paying fines, streamlining the process for individuals who were previously blacklisted or banned from entering Turkey.
In another development, Turkey has issued a final warning to Kyrgyz citizens whose three-month tourist visas have expired, providing them with an opportunity to secure employment and legalize their residency within the country.
Similar to many other countries, Turkey has adjusted its visa policies in recent months to recover from the impacts of the pandemic. The country has granted visa-free entry to six additional countries, namely the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Canada, Bahrain, and Oman. Effective from December 2023, citizens of these countries can stay in Turkey for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without requiring a visa for tourism purposes. However, individuals intending to stay longer for work or study purposes will need to undergo the necessary visa procedures.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
