Kyrgyzstan has been offered the chance to accept migrants from Afghanistan in exchange for jobs in the EU

A number of European countries are prepared to accept skilled workers from Kyrgyzstan, but have set a condition in return: the republic must accept migrants from Afghanistan and African countries. Kyrgyzstan has refused to negotiate under such conditions, Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev has stated.

According to the Foreign Minister, the Kyrgyz side is categorically opposed to this proposal. However, Kyrgyz citizens are free to travel to Europe to work on their own initiative, should they have the opportunity to do so.

Kulubaev noted that labour migration patterns are changing: an increasing number of Kyrgyz nationals are moving to Turkey and the US to work. There also remains a demand in South Korea and Japan for workers from Kyrgyzstan, particularly for staff to care for the elderly in hospitals.

The Minister added that Kyrgyzstan itself needs a workforce, which is why the organised placement of citizens in permanent jobs abroad has been scaled back. However, the placement of workers in seasonal jobs continues. The authorities are striving to ensure comfortable working conditions for Kyrgyz citizens abroad.

According to the Ministry of Labour, 736,600 Kyrgyz citizens were working abroad at the start of 2026. In 2025, their number stood at 798,400.

Russia remains the main destination for labour migration, with more than 472,000 Kyrgyz nationals there in March. A further 70,000 were working in Kazakhstan, 60,000 in the USA, 35,000 in Turkey and 20,000 in Germany.