nargiza.zhetigenova

New QazETA Rules for Travelers Entering Kazakhstan Kazakhstan is moving to a new digital system for international travelers. The QazETA portal will replace traditional paper migration cards and allow visa-free visitors to submit their travel information electronically before entering the country. Travelers can complete the process through the official QazETA website or mobile application. Passport stamps

Kyrgyzstan Opens Alternative North–South Highway for Summer Traffic Kyrgyzstan has officially opened the alternative North–South highway connecting Balykchy, Kazarman, and Jalal-Abad (Manas) for seasonal traffic from 1 June to November 2026. The 433-kilometer route is one of the country’s largest infrastructure projects and significantly reduces travel time between northern and southern Kyrgyzstan from around 13

Kel-Suu Lake Disappears Again Kel-Suu Lake in Kyrgyzstan’s remote Naryn region is currently reported to have no visible water as of May 25, 2026, with recent traveler updates describing the site as a dry, empty basin. Instead of the famous turquoise alpine lake, visitors are finding a vast open valley floor surrounded by steep limestone

New Fast Train Between Tashkent and Khiva Starting May 1 A new high-speed train (Afrosiyab) connection between Tashkent and Khiva will begin operating on May 1, significantly improving travel between the eastern and western parts of Uzbekistan. The fast train will cut the travel time by nearly half to about 7h, while earlier it was

Direct Flights Between Tashkent and Osh Centrum Air recently launched a new direct flight service connecting Tashkent International Airport and Osh Airport, making travel between Uzbekistan’s capital and southern Kyrgyzstan much easier.  Starting in April 2026, the airline operates two direct flights per week, usually on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and the journey takes about 1 hour and

Kyrgyzstan Cuts Visa-Free Stay from 60 to 30 Days The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic announces that under the new government resolution (No. 855, dated December 31, 2025), the visa-free stay rules have changed. Citizens of the listed countries can now stay in Kyrgyzstan visa-free for up to 30 calendar days. Previously,

Uzbekistan grants visa-free entry to US citizens starting 2026 Starting January 1, 2026, U.S. citizens will be able to enter Uzbekistan without a visa for up to 30 days, according to a presidential decree signed on November 3, 2025. The move aims to boost tourism and deepen trade, cultural, and humanitarian ties between the two countries.  Uzbekistan

Kyrgyzstan Officially Renames Jalal‑Abad City to Manas Kyrgyzstan has officially renamed the city of Jalal-Abad to Manas. The country’s parliament passed the law on September 10, 2025, and President Sadyr Japarov signed it a week later.  According to the legislation, the name change is intended to strengthen national identity by honoring Manas, the legendary folk

First Tourist Train from China to Kazakhstan Launches as Trial Run, Not Yet Operational A cultural tourism train journey between Xi’an (China) and Almaty (Kazakhstan) launched on May 29, marking a symbolic step in bilateral ties. The train departed from Xi’an, carrying approximately 234–246 passengers, including a Kazakh delegation, cultural figures, and business representatives and

Centrum Air now offers twice-weekly direct flights between Nukus, Aktau, and Almaty Uzbekistan’s Centrum Air has introduced new direct flights linking Nukus (Karakalpakstan), Aktau, and Almaty, boosting connectivity across Central Asia and supporting regional tourism and trade. As of July 3, 2025, flights now operate twice weekly between Nukus and Aktau (Thursdays and Sundays) and