358 Kyrgyzstanis with Foreign Citizenship Receive 2-Year Meken Cards

The Ministry of Labor and Social Security said on November 14, 2025 that 358 Kyrgyzstanis with foreign citizenship have received Meken cards valid for 2 years, marking the latest step in a long-running effort to bring members of the Kyrgyz diaspora closer to home.

The recipients are former Kyrgyz citizens and their children or grandchildren who now live abroad under another passport. The move affects people who want easier travel to Kyrgyzstan and a legal way to live and work in the country without giving up their current nationality.

What the Meken card provides

The Meken card grants special rights designed to make stays in Kyrgyzstan easier for diaspora families. Benefits include:

• Visa-free entry and exit
• The right to live in Kyrgyzstan without a residence permit
• Access to education and healthcare
• Permission to work
• Ability to rent farmland for up to 10 years

While the current batch of cards is valid for 2 years, authorities can issue cards for up to 10 years depending on the case and timing of issuance, according to the ministry.

The card is intended to make returns smoother and more predictable for former citizens and their descendants who retain strong ties to Kyrgyzstan.

Applications, approvals and timelines

Officials said approvals come from a broader pool of applications submitted over the last decade:

• From March 13, 2013, to August 31, 2025, the ministry received 403 applications for the Meken card.
• Out of those, 358 were approved with a two-year validity in this recent phase.

Processing timelines:

1. Standard route — usually about three months.
2. Expedited route — often about 1.5 months (subject to document checks and identity verification).

Authorities note that timelines depend on the completeness of records, background checks, and the quality of civil-status documents proving the applicant’s link to former Kyrgyz citizenship through parentage or grandparentage.

Fees and where to apply

Costs depend on where the applicant files:

• Inside Kyrgyzstan:
  • Around 10,000 Kyrgyz soms plus local processing fees set by the relevant office.
• From abroad:
  • Officials reference about 10,618 soms plus an additional $40 consular payment at missions overseas.

These amounts reflect recent practice and can change with fee updates, exchange rates, or local administrative charges at consulates. Applicants from abroad should confirm consular fees with their local mission before submitting documents.

Application points:

• In Kyrgyzstan: Ministry territorial divisions and Public Service Centers (PSCs).
• Abroad: Kyrgyz diplomatic missions, where consular staff collect documents, fees, and biometric data before passing files to the ministry and Infocom for processing.

Administration and exclusions

• The Meken card is issued by the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration in coordination with the state enterprise Infocom, which runs the technical system supporting the program.
• The card recognizes compatriots with foreign citizenship, except those who are citizens of neighboring countries. That carve-out remains a consistent feature of the policy.
• The ministry said most applications in recent years came from Russia, Germany, and Turkmenistan.

Practical impact for families and employers

• Easier travel — visa-free entry reduces planning hurdles and costs.
• Legal certainty — the right to live without a separate residence permit removes uncertainty for temporary or longer stays.
• Work permissions — employers in Kyrgyzstan can onboard returning professionals more easily.
• Agricultural investment — renting farmland for up to 10 years supports family farms and rural investment.
• Social services access — education and healthcare availability benefits children and older relatives spending time in Kyrgyzstan.

According to VisaVerge.com, the expedited review (~1.5 months) can be especially helpful for applicants facing job start dates, school terms, or seasonal travel windows.

Program context and outlook

Officials frame the Meken card as part of a broader effort to maintain ties with Kyrgyz communities abroad. Measures highlighted include:

• More application points and equipment upgrades at PSCs and consulates as caseload grows.
• Stable technical support from Infocom, including biometric capture and issuance of secure cards usable at borders and government offices.

Limitations to note:

• The card does not replace citizenship and does not create voting rights.
• It operates alongside regular visa and residence systems and is aimed specifically at former citizens and their close descendants holding another passport.

Where to find authoritative information

For official updates, applicants and families can consult the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic website: https://www.gov.kg. The government posts public-facing guidance and fee schedules; applicants are encouraged to check official notices for any changes to costs, processing times, or eligibility.

With 403 applications logged from 2013 to August 31, 2025 and 358 two-year cards issued in this recent wave, the program continues to evolve as a practical bridge between Kyrgyzstan and its people living abroad.