Turkey is extending the visa-free regime for Kyrgyz citizens to six months, allowing them to legalize their stay in the country. Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to Turkey Ruslan Kazakbaev announced this during a meeting of the parliamentary committee on international affairs, defense, security, and migration, a news agency 24.kg reports.
According to Kazakbaev, there are approximately 20,000 Kyrgyz citizens in Turkey, and during the summer, this number reaches up to 40,000.
"This is related to the resort season in Antalya, which lasts up to seven months. However, there are sometimes problems. The current visa-free period for Kyrgyz citizens is 90 days. Thanks to the intervention of President Sadyr Japarov, the work of the Kyrgyz Foreign Minister, and direct negotiations with the Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, two issues have been resolved. One is the green corridor for our citizens who have violated local laws. Previously, they were blacklisted, banned from entering the country, and faced fines. Now, until the end of the year, a green corridor has been opened, allowing citizens to leave and re-enter the country in a simplified manner after paying fines," said Ruslan Kazakbaev.
The ambassador noted that the parties have also agreed to extend the visa-free regime for Kyrgyz citizens in Turkey for up to six months.
"Turkey is issuing a final warning and an opportunity for citizens whose three-month tourist visas have expired to find an employer and legalize their stay in the country," added Ruslan Kazakbaev.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
February 19, 2024