Published
06/04/2025, 15:17In Kyrgyzstan, public discussion has begun on a draft presidential decree introducing important changes to the procedure for acquiring and losing citizenship. The document was developed by the Ministry of Digital Development. The draft will be open for discussion until July 10.
The proposed changes concern both the requirements for applicants and the principles for processing documents.
One of the key changes will be the mandatory requirement to have a residence permit in order to apply for citizenship of the Kyrgyz Republic. Previously, registration at the place of residence was sufficient. Under the new requirements, both will be required.
"This change is aimed at eliminating legal uncertainty. According to Article 13 of the Law, one of the conditions for admission to citizenship is continuous residence in the territory of the republic for the last five years. At the same time, residence is considered continuous if the person has been absent from the country for no more than three months during each year. At the same time, Article 5 of the Law “On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Kyrgyz Republic” states that foreigners can be considered permanently resident only if they have a permanent residence permit in the form of a residence permit. Thus, the introduction of a direct reference to a “permanent residence permit” eliminates possible ambiguities,” the explanatory note says.
In addition, the document processing procedure will be completely digitized. All applications will be submitted through an automated information system (AIS), and the data will be verified by the applicant's electronic signature. Paper forms and paper materials will no longer be used.
Scanned originals and notarized copies of documents will be uploaded to a digital file. In return, the applicant will be issued an electronic receipt confirming that the documents have been accepted.
The draft pays special attention to citizens of neighboring countries who have obtained Kyrgyz citizenship. Under the new rules, they will not be able to obtain a Kyrgyz passport until they provide an official document confirming their renunciation of their previous citizenship.
Another clause has also been added to the procedure for renouncing Kyrgyz citizenship. A citizen may be denied citizenship if it is contrary to the national security interests of the republic. At the same time, citizenship can now be revoked if a citizen of the Kyrgyz Republic is recognized as a threat to national security or is serving in the army, law enforcement, or special services of foreign states. This does not apply to those who obtained citizenship by birth.
The new version provides special conditions for ethnic Kyrgyz. Thus, children born in the Kyrgyz Republic to foreign citizens who are ethnic Kyrgyz will automatically be recognized as citizens of the country, regardless of the citizenship and place of residence of their parents.
In addition, a new category has been added to the section on the admission of minors to citizenship: a child of ethnic Kyrgyz whose parents are both foreign citizens may obtain Kyrgyz citizenship upon application by one parent and with the written consent of the other.
