Kyrgyz official: New US visa deposit unrealistic for local incomes

Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev has criticised a new US requirement that Kyrgyz citizens pay a visa deposit of up to $15,000, saying the amount is excessive and does not reflect income levels in the country.

Speaking at a press conference, Kulubaev said negotiations with the United States had begun, noting that while Washington speaks about developing humanitarian ties in bilateral contacts, it is at the same time tightening its migration policy, Caliber.Az reports per Kyrgyz media. 

From January 21 Kyrgyz citizens applying for US tourist and business visas (B-1/B-2) will be required to pay a deposit ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. The deposit will be set individually by a consular officer during the interview and will not be refunded if the applicant violates visa conditions or overstays.

He said the new requirement does not take into account the income levels of Kyrgyz citizens, adding that the issue would be discussed not only bilaterally but also collectively with other Central Asian countries, which are also affected by the measure.

Kulubaev said the size of the deposit was significantly overstated and should be aligned with average salaries. He added that the measure forms part of the migration policy of US President Donald Trump’s administration and applies to many countries.

At the same time, the minister said one of the reasons for the tightening of the rules was that some Kyrgyz citizens had violated US visa regulations, including by staying without valid visas. He stressed that citizens who properly register their documents and comply with the conditions of stay do not face problems.

Kulubaev urged Kyrgyz citizens to strictly observe visa rules, complete their paperwork in a timely manner and leave the United States at the end of their permitted stay.

A reminder that the US State Department paused immigrant visa processing on January 14 for dozens of countries as part of a broader effort to tighten screening procedures and prevent applicants deemed likely to “become a public charge”.

According to a State Department memo, consular officers have been instructed to refuse visas under existing law while vetting procedures are reassessed, with the restrictions imposed for an indefinite period. The list of affected countries includes Kyrgyzstan and several other Central Asian states, countries in Eastern Europe, including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, as well as countries in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.

By Sabina Mammadli