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Kazakhstan Makes QazETA Mandatory for All Foreign Arrivals 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 […]

On July 7, 2026, a Tez Jet MD-83 operating a Bishkek–Osh flight suffered a landing gear failure during takeoff, causing the aircraft to tilt onto one wing. Fortunately, there were no fatalities reported. Kyrgyz authorities immediately grounded the airline while investigating the accident. During an unscheduled inspection, regulators said they found serious violations affecting flight

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

Kyrgyzstan bans electronic cigarettes and vaping products The purpose of this Law is to ensure the protection of the health and well-being of citizens from the use of electronic cigarettes with nicotine-containing liquid. The law prohibits the import, circulation and use of electronic cigarettes in the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic. In addition, the Law

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

Ring railroad opened in Uzbek Fergana Valley A ring railroad connecting Margilan, Kokand, Namangan and Andijan in the Uzbek part of Fergana Valley has been opened. This regional train connection greatly improves the travel options between the major cities of Fergana Valley. From Kokand, there is a further connection to Tashkent, connecting more Uzbek cities

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

First phase of Ala Archa cable car has been opened The new 1-kilometer cable car in Ala-Archa National Park was officially opened on February 18, 2026, but the associated 3-story, five star eco-hotel with pool and A-frame cabins are currently still under construction and have not yet opened. The cable car currently serves as a

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,