Published
05/14/2025, 17:26From 2025, new rules regarding knowledge of the state language will come into force in Kyrgyzstan. These changes will affect a wide range of professionals, from civil servants to medical workers. Let's take a look at what exactly will change, how to prepare for the new requirements, and what opportunities knowledge of the Kyrgyz language opens up in the professional sphere.
The changes to language requirements are being introduced in stages and affect different categories of workers. From 2025, state and municipal employees will be required to have an intermediate level (B1) of Kyrgyz. In just two years, from 2027, the requirements will increase to level B2.
Employees of state institutions, including teachers and medical professionals, will be given a little more time to prepare: they must confirm their B1 level by 2026 and upgrade to B2 by 2028.
Special conditions apply to members of ethnic minorities who are citizens of Kyrgyzstan. They will only need to have a basic level (A2) from 2026, and then raise it to B1 by 2028.
To officially confirm your level of Kyrgyz language proficiency, you must take a test at the state institution ‘KyrgyzTest’. The exam is held twice a day and costs 450 KGS.
The retake system is differentiated: if a candidate scores 50-59 points, they can retake the exam in 3 days; if they score 40-49 points, they can retake it in 15 days, and those who do not score 40 points will have to wait a whole month.
There are courses for learning the official language both online and offline, but there are not many of them. For example, the Filosof educational centre offers group lessons for 2,500 KGS per month (three times a week). For those who prefer a more individual approach, there are mini-groups for 3,600 KGS or completely individual lessons for 5,000 KGS.
The online format is also becoming increasingly popular. Aigul Azemova's courses offer individual lessons for 800 KGS per hour, and Periza Surantai's language centre offers both individual (1,500 KGS/hour) and group lessons (4,000 KGS/month, including teaching materials).
In addition, there are centres such as Markaz Muras, with prices ranging from 2,400 KGS for online courses to 10,000 KGS for individual lessons.
With the growing demand for knowledge of the Kyrgyz language, new opportunities are opening up for teachers. Job search websites already offer vacancies with salaries ranging from 20,000 to 65,000 KGS per month.
Interestingly, some employers are willing to hire employees even without teaching experience — the main requirement is fluency in the language.
All costs of training state and municipal employees in the state language should be covered by the organisations themselves. Such educational programmes are funded from the budgets of the relevant authorities. In 2025, the lack of a language certificate will not result in disciplinary action. However, the requirements will become stricter, so employees should take care of their training in advance.
If your organisation has not yet offered you a course, you should contact your HR department or manager to request inclusion in the educational programme. If the institution is unable to organise group classes, you can negotiate compensation for the cost of independent study at accredited language centres.
It is important to note that this provision does not apply to employees of private companies, even if they carry out government contracts. For them, knowledge of the Kyrgyz language remains desirable but not mandatory, unless otherwise specified in the employment contract or the job description.
New language requirements are both challenges and opportunities. On the one hand, many professionals will have to seriously study the Kyrgyz language. On the other hand, this is an excellent opportunity for teachers and educational centres, as well as for anyone who wants to improve their career prospects in the public sector. The main thing is to start preparing in advance so that you are ready by the deadline.
