Edil Baisalov, who holds the position of Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, reacted to the new visa requirements announced by the United States for Kyrgyz citizens.
According to the new rules, starting from January 21, 2026, all citizens of Kyrgyzstan will be required to undergo a collateral verification procedure when applying for a visa. Applicants will need to provide a security deposit, the amount of which will range from 5,000 to 15,000 US dollars. It is important to note the following points:
The deposit does not guarantee the issuance of a visa. The purpose of this innovation is to improve control over compliance with migration legislation.
Baisalov expressed his dissatisfaction with the decisions of the U.S. State Department. He believes that in response to such measures, Bishkek should consider revising the visa-free regime for U.S. citizens. The politician emphasized that cooperation between the two countries should be based on the principles of reciprocity and equality.
