Photo: uza.uz
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has proposed introducing a unified visa system for Central Asia, allowing foreigners to travel freely across all five post-Soviet republics in the region. He also suggested a visa-free regime among the Central Asian nations themselves.
Japarov’s initiative follows the final resolution of the long-standing Kyrgyz-Tajik border dispute, which, according to him, had remained unresolved since 1924.
The recent signing of a border treaty with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon is a milestone not only for both nations but for the entire region, Japarov emphasized.
«From this moment, eternal peace has been established in Central Asia,» he declared.
Japarov urged Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to eliminate visa requirements between their countries and create a Schengen-style visa for foreign visitors.
«Such a visa would allow tourists to move freely across all countries in the region,» he wrote.
Most Central Asian states already have visa-free travel agreements, but with certain restrictions:
✔ Kazakh and Tajik citizens can stay in Kyrgyzstan indefinitely.
✔ Uzbeks can enter Kyrgyzstan without a visa for up to 60 days but must register with migration authorities afterward.
✔ Turkmenistan remains the exception, maintaining strict visa policies for its citizens traveling abroad.
A similar regional visa proposal was first introduced in 2018 by Dariga Nazarbayeva, daughter of Kazakhstan’s former president. The concept, named “Silk Visa”, was initially supported by Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, with interest from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan—but the plan was never implemented.
If realized, Japarov’s proposal could boost regional tourism and economic ties, making Central Asia more accessible to global travelers.
