After Nepal earlier this week, yet another lesser-known Asian country is turning to digital nomads to boost its economy.
Not often the topic of discussions on this side of the blogsphere, Kyrgyzstan is officially launching a Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), hoping to attract young entrepreneurs and long-term travelers from the West, with simpler requirements and budget prices.
After all, in case you weren’t aware, the Kyrgyz fatherland is one of the most affordable countries to live in as a dollar-earning nomad:
Where Even Is Kyrgyzstan?
A landlocked state in Central Asia that’s long overdue its flowers as a destination, Kyrgyztan has a fascinating history. It was historically part of the ancient Silk Road and, more recently, the Soviet Union.
As a destination, it is best known for its unspoiled mountainous nature, vibrant capital city Bishkek, famous for its Soviet-era architecture, and rural countryside, characterized by its quaint villages and vast grasslands.
That is to say, tourists may still be sleeping in the Kyrgyz Republic, but it won’t be long before nomads arrive.
As reported by Central Asian media, the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers has passed a regulation that paves the way for a Digital Nomad Visa.
What Are The Requirements?
More specifically, the visa applies to ‘specialists in information and communication technologies, software development, and related fields’—essentially, a majority of digital nomads, who work in IT or other similar categories.
Eligible citizens include travelers from visa-free countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, all of the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and many other large economies.
Though the exact requirements are yet to be made official, we suspect they will include:
- Showing proof of entrepreneurial status or remote work
- Undergoing a background check
- Taking out health insurance valid for the duration of the planned stay
- Showing proof of sufficient financial resources
Regarding the last point, Kyrgyzstan has not yet set a financial threshold, though based on similar DNVs released in the last 3 years, we can infer it would be somewhere between $1,500 and $3,500.
The ‘digital nomad status’ will be issued for an initial period of 60 days, which is how long you can stay in Kyrgyzstan as a tourist. However, before the two-month period elapses, you may switch to a digital nomad visa with a one-year validity.
You are also exempt from registering with the police for up to 60 days after entry. Finally, nomads are eligible to annual renewals of up to ten years, provided they continue fulfilling the initial requirements.
Why Go To Kyrgyzstan?
Affordable Living
One of the main benefits of living in Kyrgyzstan as a digital nomad is affordability: as we pointed out before, it is one of the world’s least-expensive (soon-to-be) nomad hubs.
Rent, food, and transport are all significantly cheaper than in the Western World. A modern apartment in central Bishkek costs between $300 and $500 per month, while restaurant bills are usually under $10.
According to Nomads.com, monthly costs in Kyrgyzstan as a digital nomad range between $988 and $1,526, depending on your way of living, utilities, and secondary expenses.
Bishkek Is An Underrated Nomad Hub
As the capital and largest city of the country, Bishkek is a sprawling metropolis with a lot going for it on the culture and entertainment front:
Its elegant Ala-Too Square features a collection of statues and fountains, while Duboviy Park is a peaceful expanse of green cut through with scenic walking paths. In Osh Bazaar, you’ll find fresh produce, Asian spices, and traditional Kyrgyz takeout food.
If you don’t stay in Kyrgyzstan for its off-path allure and the ease of the digital nomad visa, you’ll definitely stay for plov (a local aromatic rice dish) and laghman (hand-pulled noodles).
Oh, and we should probably mention that Bishkek is also peppered with nomad-friendly cafes providing a Western-style service and high-speed internet for working, such as Sierra Coffee and (an aptly-titled) Social Coffee.
Abundant Nature
All around Kyrgyzstan, there are beautiful natural parks offering lakeside walks and hiking opportunities, from Issyk-Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake in the world, to the snow-capped Tian Shan mountains.
For an easy day trip from Bishkek, there’s Ala Archa National Park, characterized by its glaciers and cascading waterfalls—and it’s only 40 minutes driving from the capital.
As for a unique Kyrgyz experience, Son-Kul is dominated by rolling green pastures, where livestock grazes and nomadic locals (you know, actual nomads) horse-rise freely.
You could truly never exhaust your possibilities as a nature lover in Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan Is Safe
Last but certainly not least, Kyrgyzstan is a low-risk destination for future expats.
According to the U.S. Travel Advisory, it is a Level 1 country, meaning Americans do not have to exercise ‘increased caution’ due to crime, violence, or terrorism when traveling there—it’s safer than most Western European countries, in fact.
The only area you should be more cautious when visiting is the border region with Tajikistan, due to regional tensions. That being said, there haven’t been significant flares in cross-border tension in a long while.
The Downside
All the good stuff aside, some of the downsides of living in Kyrgyzstan include its relative remoteness—flight options getting here are often restricted to select Russian, Middle Eastern, and a handful of Asian airports—and limited services catering to foreigners.
Unless you speak a word or two of Russian or Kyrgyz here, you might find it harder to get around, or connect with your neighbors. But hey, nothing two months living among Bishkek locals won’t fix, especially given how welcoming they are.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
