Employment of Foreigners and Stateless Persons in the Kyrgyz Republic: 8 Frequently Asked Questions

The Migration Service charges a fee of 4,000 Kyrgyz Soms (approximately USD 58) for the issuance of an Employment Permit. An Employee Permit's fee per person is 2,000 Kyrgyz Soms (approximately USD 29). Fee for a work permit for the Entrepreneurs is 20,000 Kyrgyz Soms (approximately USD 291).

Employment Permits are employer-specific and may not be transferred. Foreign workers who have been issued Employee Permits by a particular employer are not allowed to transfer them to another employer. If foreign professionals work for more than one company, they must obtain Employee Permits for each employer.

Employee Permits for foreign executives or professionals are valid for one year with the possibility of annual extension. Employee Permits for skilled foreign employees are generally valid for two years. Foreign individuals registered in the Kyrgyz Republic as individual entrepreneurs (Entrepreneurs) can obtain Employee Permit valid for up to three years. However, in practice, all foreigners, irrespective of their position and qualification, are issued work permits for one year.

Pursuant to the Kyrgyz law the requirement to obtain the work permit does not apply to the following persons: ­

Requests for work permits can be refused and valid work permits revoked if: ­

- suitable local professionals become available for hire in the domestic market; ­
- the data submitted in an application turns out to be inaccurate; ­
- employees are terminated from employment or the employers’ business activities in the Kyrgyz Republic cease; ­
- illegal actions are committed.

Kyrgyz individuals or legal entities planning to hire foreign employees must be issued Employment Permits before they hire foreign and stateless individuals. Foreigners and stateless individuals (who have reached the age of 18) who have legally entered the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic, and plan to work or do business in the Kyrgyz Republic must apply for Employee Permit.

The Government sets annual quotas for hiring of foreign and stateless employees. The quotas are established by industry and vary by regions of the Kyrgyz Republic, including Bishkek.

The quota for foreign labor provided in the Employment Permit, shall be annulled if it is not used within three months after the issuance.

The State Migration Service under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic (the "Migration Service") is the authorized state body charged with issuing work permits to foreigners and stateless persons wishing to work in the Kyrgyz Republic.