FCO Travel Advice for - Kyrgyzstan

Back to the list of countries | Original FCO Article
  • The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to the Oblasts (Provinces) of Osh and Jalal-Abad. See Local travel.

  • On 12 October 2012 the UK informed the Kyrgyz authorities that Maksim Bakiev, son of the former President of Kyrgyzstan, had been arrested in connection with a US extradition request. Demonstrations were held in 2012 outside the Belarusian Embassy in Bishkek because of the presence of members of the Bakiev family in Belarus. This is sensitive subject in Kyrgyzstan.

  • Large demonstrations in central Bishkek in October 2012 were dispersed using force. You should avoid all demonstrations. See Political situation.

  • The Kyrgyz/Uzbek and Kyrgyz/Tajik borders are subject to closure without notice. There have been a number of security incidents in the Kyrgyz/Uzbek border region. See Local Travel.

  • There is a British Embassy in Bishkek. However, the British Embassy Office in Almaty, Kazakhstan is responsible for providing consular assistance to British nationals in Kyrgyzstan. If you need consular assistance while you are in Kyrgyzstan, you should contact the consular section at the British Embassy Office, Almaty.

  • There is an underlying threat from terrorism. See Terrorism.

  • You must carry your passport, or a notarised copy of it, at all times. See Local Laws and Customs.

  • Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.
Popular checklists for Kyrgyzstan: