Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Edil Baisalov has suggested Bishkek reassess its visa-free regime for Americans following the imposition of visa bond requirements for Kyrgyz citizens traveling to the United States.
The United States has included Kyrgyzstan in a list of countries subject to visa bonds. Visa applicants from these countries are required to post visa bonds of up to $15,000 to enter the U.S., according to a notice published on the U.S. State Department’s travel website.
According to the State Department, visa applicants must post a bond for $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The amount is determined at the time of the visa interview. Payment of the bond does not guarantee visa issuance. If a visa is denied, or if the applicant complies with all visa terms, the bond is refunded.
For Kyrgyz nationals applying for B-1/B-2 nonimmigrant visas (tourist and business) for entry into the U.S., the new requirements are set to take effect on January 21, 2026.
In response, Baisalov wrote on the X: “I believe we must initiate a review of our visa-free regime for U.S. citizens following the State Department’s announcement of new visa requirements, which require Kyrgyz citizens to post a visa bond of up to $15,000 when submitting visa applications.”
According to Baisalov, visa policy is a matter of parity and mutual respect. “If such high barriers are imposed on our citizens, we cannot pretend nothing has happened.”
In a statement on January 8, Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the inclusion of certain countries on this list is due to the high incidence of visa violations committed by citizens of these countries. The ministry urged Kyrgyz citizens planning to visit the United States to familiarize themselves with the new visa requirements in advance, strictly adhere to the conditions for obtaining a visa and the rules of stay in the United States, and avoid violating the visa and immigration laws of the host country.
