According to Vesti.kg, Kyrgyzstan is dissatisfied with Russia’s new migration rules. Despite being a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) alongside Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, Kyrgyzstan receives many complaints from its citizens who face various bureaucratic hurdles in Russia.
Almaz Imangaziev, deputy minister of foreign affairs of Kyrgyzstan, has presented an official note to Sergey Vakunov, Russia’s ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, addressing the challenges Kyrgyz migrants face in the Russian Federation.
During his meeting with Vakunov, Imangaziev highlighted the difficulties migrants encounter when entering Russia and registering with migration authorities.
The official emphasized that Russia’s introduction of a new entry registration system and reduction of the allowed period of stay for migrants could significantly affect Kyrgyz citizens wishing to work there.
Furthermore, Kyrgyz authorities are dissatisfied with Russian schools’ refusal to accept migrant children unless they can prove proficiency in Russian.
While presenting the diplomatic note, Imangaziev reiterated that Kyrgyzstan is an EEU member and that Russian is the official language in the country.
Russia has tightened its migration laws following the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall near Moscow, allegedly carried out by Tajikistani citizens.
Starting in 2025, migrants will not be allowed to stay in Russia for more than 90 days per year. Those without legal grounds for residence may face deportation. Additionally, Russia has introduced a list of «controlled individuals,» who are barred from registering marriages, changing their place of residence, obtaining driver’s licenses or opening bank accounts.
According to 24.kg, as of January 2025, more than 411,000 Kyrgyz citizens were residing in Russia. The Kyrgyz MFA noted that this number has been declining since the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Although Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has opposed introducing a visa regime for EEU countries, he maintains that the new regulations are necessary to control migration.
