I can write a hundred things to complain about my Philippine passport. But one thing I am lucky about is that I only need to apply for a Kyrgyzstan eVisa online. This country is almost never heard of among Filipinos, but I’d say you’re missing half of your life if you don’t visit this crazy beautiful corner in Central Asia.
Kyrgyzstan eVisa Application Process
I applied for my electronic visa for my Kyrgyzstan trip a month before the actual trip. While it is a straightforward process and significantly easier to fill out than Uzbekistan eVisa, it takes more time to get it. In my case, I had to wait for seven (7) days before receiving my approval letter.
That said, I think it’s better to apply for the visa at least a month in advance to avoid delays. Aside from that, Philippine passport holders are eligible to get a visa on arrival (aside from applying for an e-visa), if you arrive at the Manas International Airport in the capital city Bishkek in case you don’t plan in applying for the visa in advance.
Cost and Validity
There are two types of Kyrgyzstan electronic visas that Philippine passport holders are eligible to apply for. A 30-day single-entry e-visa for $51 and another at $61 for a 60-day stay. The validity date is specified on the visa copy upon issuance, and it’s only during this period that you can enter and exit the territory.
Timeline & Application Process
Since I already know that I will be entering Kyrgyzstan by land travel, taking the bus from Almaty, Kazakhstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the visa on arrival was not an option for me. I applied on August 25, 2024 and received the visa on September 2, 2024.
Guide to Apply Kyrgyzstan Visa Online
Here is a guide on how to apply Kyrgyzstan visa online in 2025.
Step 1: Apply through the Official Website
I went to their official website and created a new account for the application. This may sound easy to do, but there are some Filipinos who messaged me saying they applied theirs through WhatsApp, with a number/page claiming to be in charge of Kyrgyz visa application. While that can also work, applying through the website is the only safe option I could think of.
Step 2: Determine the Visa Type
This is what the dashboard looks like and here is how I filled in my details as a citizen from the Philippines. Everything is straightforward and easy to fill in at this point.
- I selected “Philippines” as my home country
- I had chosen “Ordinary” for the passport type
- I typed “Tourist” for visa purpose
- Lastly, I selected “Single Entry” for the type of entry. For some reason, I cannot choose multiple entries and I am guessing that this option is not applicable to Philippine passport holders.
I also selected two (2) months for the length of stay because I planned to stay more than 30 days in Kyrgyzstan and paid the price of $61 or 3500 PHP for the visa.
Step 3: You Don’t Really Need an Inviting Person
This is the most asked question on my TikTok and Instagram videos: do you really need an inviting person to apply for the visa? Yes, but you can work around this by simply providing the details of your accommodation. It does not really matter if it is a hotel or hostel, as long as you can give them the address and contact details.
Also, the website will automatically take you to the “Inviting Person” page. You have to change that tab to “Applicant” as I did above as this will get you less questions about the inviting person.
Check out what I’ve done in the photo below. I provided the name, address, and contact details of my hostel which I pre-booked through Agoda and problem solved.
Step 4: Wait for the Confirmation Email
You will receive an email like the one above which shows your Kyrgyzstan evisa application reference number to proceed with your application. I have been logged out of my application while doing this simulation since I did not really take screenshots during my actual application in August, but I simply needed to answer more personal questions before being asked to settle the payment with my card.
Step 4: Wait for Your Kyrgyzstan eVisa
While there are a handful of people who shared getting rejection letters in a Kyrgyzstan travel community that I joined on Facebook, Kyrgyzstan is known to be generous in issuing eVisas.
One thing to note is to be honest with your details, double-check your information if you typed them correctly, and show them that you have a clear exit plan. The officials simply need to know you’ll be visiting for tourism with no plan to overstay. So really, it’s not a question of whether you’ll get approved but when.
Enjoy Kyrgyzstan
I really hope more Filipinos will have interest in visiting Kyrgyzstan. Aside from the obvious fact that the country is beautiful in every corner – from mountains to canyons and more – I also enjoyed basking in its unique culture. There are not many places in the world where you’ll see men living day to day in their Kalpak hats, and women in their colorful head scarves and long, velvet skirts.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, I still dream of the Kyrgyz Samsa which I had more times than recommended in the streets of Karakol.
Enjoy!
