Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has proposed introducing a single visa system for Central Asian countries, similar to the Schengen visa in Europe. He shared this initiative on his Facebook account, highlighting the potential benefits for regional integration and tourism.

Japarov also announced the resolution of the long-standing border issue between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which had remained unsettled for 101 years. He emphasized that with all Central Asian nations now having resolved their border disputes, the next step should be easing movement across the region.

“Now, Central Asian countries must begin the process of introducing a visa-free regime among themselves and, for guests from other countries, a single visa that allows free movement throughout all nations of the region,” Japarov stated.

As part of ongoing diplomatic efforts, Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security Chairman, Kamchybek Tashiev, will present the Kyrgyz-Tajik border agreement to parliament for ratification on March 19. The agreement was signed by the presidents of both countries on March 13.

Central Asian nations have been making gradual progress toward simplifying cross-border travel. Since September 2023, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have had an agreement allowing citizens to travel between the two countries using ID cards, with a stay of up to 60 days.

Regional leaders have also voiced support for deeper integration. In August 2024, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed mutual recognition of national ID cards and the development of regional tourism services under the concept of “One tour – the whole region.” Speaking to Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis in November, he expressed plans to reach similar agreements with Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are working on a similar arrangement, planning to permit mutual travel with ID cards instead of passports.