14:14, 18 декабря 2023, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Meerimai ALYBEKOVA
At least 38 citizens from different countries received Meken card. The head of the Migration Department of the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration of Kyrgyzstan, Zhypara Mambetova, announced at a briefing.
According to her, these are citizens of Russia, Germany, Korea, Belgium, Turkey, Austria, Turkmenistan and Qatar.
«On March 13, we began accepting applications for obtaining the status of a compatriot with foreign citizenship, which is called Meken card. It is issued to foreigners who previously had citizenship of Kyrgyzstan. Their children and grandchildren can also apply for this status,» Zhypara Mambetova said.
She noted that citizens who received the Meken card have the right to travel, transit and stay in the Kyrgyz Republic without a visa. They can permanently reside in the republic without obtaining a residence permit, work without a work visa or permit, and receive paid services on an equal basis with citizens of Kyrgyzstan in the fields of healthcare and education.
An application for granting the status of a compatriot is considered from 1.5 to 3.5 months. The cost of Meken card is 11,315 soms.