The number of foreign students in Kyrgyzstan has decreased

Representatives of government agencies, the Indian Embassy, international organisations, higher education institutions, civil society, and foreign students discussed issues related to the safety of citizens studying in the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as ways to improve the observance of human rights and freedoms in Kyrgyzstan.

A round table discussion was held on the topic ‘Results of monitoring the observance of the rights of foreign students in the Kyrgyz Republic,’ organised by the Ombudsman's Institute in conjunction with the Oasis Foundation and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation's representative office in the Kyrgyz Republic.

In his welcoming speech, Deputy Ombudsman Zhanibek Zhorobaev noted that, in accordance with international standards and national legislation, Kyrgyzstan pays particular attention to issues of preventing discrimination on ethnic and national grounds.

«The Ombudsman's Office works on an ongoing basis to monitor human rights compliance, regardless of citizenship and origin, so that everyone feels protected in our country», — Zhanibek Zhorobaev emphasised.

According to Philipp Jan, head of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation's representative office, Kyrgyzstan's academic cooperation with South Asian countries is gradually shifting towards closer economic ties.

The round table presented the results of a study showing a decline in the number of foreign students.

In the 2023-2024 academic year, the number of foreign students decreased by 31%. The largest outflow was observed among students from Uzbekistan, whose number decreased by 53%, and from India, whose number decreased by 13%.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, in 2025, four times fewer S-type student visas were issued compared to the previous year — a total of 11,645 visas.
The number of applications from Indian citizens decreased by 80%, and only 4,689 students received permission to study in the Kyrgyz Republic. Pakistani citizens submitted 75% fewer applications and received 4,200 visas. The number of visas issued to Bangladeshi citizens decreased by 58% to 333.

Meerim Osmonaliyeva, head of the Oasis Foundation, noted the problem that foreign students often prefer not to contact law enforcement agencies when their rights are violated.

«Only 22% of the participants in our survey contacted law enforcement agencies», — said Meerim Osmonaliyeva.

According to the survey results, foreign students find it difficult to rent accommodation, they are victims of theft and discrimination on public transport, and there are no mechanisms for cultural integration.

In addition, 42% of respondents reported incidents of physical intimidation, and 14% of the students surveyed had been subjected to sexual violence and harassment.

The round table participants noted that addressing the security issues of foreign students has a direct impact on increasing the country's investment attractiveness.

The Ombudsman's Office has issued a number of relevant recommendations to the competent state authorities aimed at improving the security and protection of the rights of foreign students.