VISAS, ENTRY RULES, CUSTOMS REGULATIONS in Kyrgyzstan
Citizens of Russia do not need a visa to visit Kyrgyzstan, it is enough to present a valid foreign or general passport at the border.
Citizens of a foreign country who are subject to a visa-free regime can enter, exit, transit, move and stay in the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic without issuing a visa on one of the valid documents (passport or a document replacing it). During their stay in the Kyrgyz Republic, citizens of these foreign states are exempted from registration of foreign passports if the period of their stay in the Kyrgyz Republic does not exceed 60 days (for citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan – 90 days).
There are no restrictions on the import and export of national and foreign currency (all money and jewelry must be declared). The declaration must be kept before leaving the country.
Up to 1,000 cigarettes or up to 1,000 g of tobacco products, up to 1.5 liters of strong alcoholic beverages and up to 2 liters of wine can be brought into Kyrgyzstan duty-free. You will be able to bring in a reasonable amount of perfumes for personal use, as well as other goods worth up to $5,000. Customs inspection is sometimes lengthy and detailed.
The import of drugs and strong medicines (without a prescription confirming the need for their use), weapons and ammunition, combustible and explosives, printed materials and video materials directed against the state system of Kyrgyzstan, as well as animals, fruits and vegetables without the appropriate permission of the Sanitary and country veterinary service.
It is forbidden to export certain foodstuffs, minerals and rocks without the permission of the relevant authorities, gold (declared) and precious stones.
Kyrgyzstan, Russian Embassy in the country:
Embassy address – 720040, Bishkek, st. Razzakova, 17
Address of the consular department – 720017, Bishkek, Manas ave., 55
Phones:
Embassy – (996-312) 62-47-38
Consular department – (996-312) 21-57-03
Fax contact:
embassy – (996-312) 62-18-23
consular department – (996-312) 61-01-77
Embassy website – http://www.kyrgyz.mid.ru/
Contact in Kyrgyzstan
The telephone system of Kyrgyzstan is controlled by the state company KyrgyzTelecom (www.kt.kg), which offers a full range of communication services. Street pay phones work with two types of phone cards, which can be purchased at shops, tobacconists, post offices and post offices. In addition, cellular communications, IP-telephony and network services are actively developing in the country. Internet cafes can be found in major cities and resorts. In the mountains, only satellite communications are available.
To call Kyrgyzstan, you need to dial 8 – 10 – 996 – area code – phone number.
To call Russia, you need to dial 007 – area code – phone number.
Emergency Phones in Kyrgyzstan
Fire Service – 101
Police – 102
Ambulance Service – 103
Emergency Gas Service – 104
Medical Rescue Service – 110
Private Medical Assistance – 151
Rescue Service of the Ministry of Emergencies – 161
Ambulance Help Desk – 183
Telephone of the Russian Embassy – (996-312) 62- 47-38 (Bishkek)
HOLIDAYS ANDÂ WEEKENDS
January 1 – Zhay-zhyl (New Year).
January 7 – Orthodox Christmas.
December-January – Kurman-Ait.
March 8 – International Women’s Day.
March 21 – Navrus or Nooruz (Kyrgyz New Year).
May 1 – International Labor Day.
May 5 – Constitution Day.
May 9 – Victory Day.
August 31 – Independence Day or Erkin-Kunu.
October-November – Orozo-Ait (Eid Al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan).
USEFUL THINGS The
Kirghiz live in poverty, so it is better to keep an eye on things and money, especially in the market. Everywhere they will try to raise the price for you, so you can safely bargain, in extreme cases, the merchant will simply refuse to sell the goods. In the mountains, locals can carry away poorly laid equipment, especially ropes; in some valleys, koshi (temporary dwellings) are best avoided.
SHOPS
According to ehuzhou, shops are open from 9.00 to 19.00, some are open until 20.00.
TIPS
In Kyrgyzstan, tips are included in the price of dishes, are strictly fixed (5-10 soms) or make up a certain percentage of the total order (usually 5-10%).
NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Residents of Kyrgyzstan are usually friendly and hospitable. In remote areas of the country, locals often treat travelers, in which case it is not customary to refuse. Also in the mountains, local shepherds and hunters may come up to you with offers to drink together, in this case you must politely refuse, referring to any urgent business.
Girls should not walk around in overly revealing clothing and unaccompanied, men in some areas should not wear shorts. Women should not wear men’s skullcaps and pointed hats, one of the common souvenirs in Kyrgyzstan. In some areas, local residents are hostile to the Russian-speaking population, but this usually does not apply to tourists.
ELECTRICITY
220V, 50Hz;
HEALTH CARE
The healthcare system was inherited by Kyrgyzstan from the USSR. Health care in the country was quite well developed, but the decrease in funding and instability in the country had a negative impact on it. After Kyrgyzstan gained independence, the country carried out health care reforms. In general, in large cities, medical care is at a good level, but in remote and hard-to-reach areas, and there are many of them in the country because of the mountainous terrain, this causes problems. If you are going to the mountains or areas remote from major cities, it is worth stocking up on your own emergency first aid kit. When transporting victims to settlements, one must rely only on one’s own strength.
