Kyrgyz Visa for Singapore Passport Holder

My travel plans to Kyrgyzstan is getting harder to confirm this year.
I got a Kyrgyz Visa last year in Dubai and enjoyed my 14 day trip to Bishklek and Issyk-kul.

I am now trying to apply for the same. The rules have changed some what this year and a letter of invitation is now required for me (Singapore Citizen) to get the visa. I am trying to make arrangement with travel companies get this done ... however I am not sure of the duration required and what amounts to a LOI.

I have read a lot on this site with regards to LOI and VISA and now looks like I will have to experience it 1st hand.

Most travel agent online are saying that they will apply for me for a fee. What is the going rate for this fee now? They also says that it will be sent to Kyrgyz Consular in Dubai. Not so comfortable with paying for something that I do not get to see or receive.

I was also considering getting a visa on arrival at Bishkek ... found out this is not possible for me as I will need a kyrgyz visa in order to get airline tickets !

Anyway ... I am following as best I can on-line to get my hotel booking, LOI & Visa done. Really hoping for a good travel agent to sort this out soon for me.

I am also only planning to go to Issyk-kul this trip.... hope all is well in Bishkek. I am told by friends that security is a concern and to be on the guard. Any further info on status at Bishkek Airport and taxi services from airport will help.

Desmond,

Thanks for the input. There is alot of differing opinion on the visa matters in Kyrgyz. I am sure there is no need for a LOI for Singapore citizens ... I did not need one last year when I visited Kyrgyz in June 09. But after the recent turmoil ... things are not as certain as before. Tried getting a visa in July and August and was told that no visa for foreigners in dubai then.

I was also told that I can get visa at Bishkek airport. The problem here in Dubai is that I need a visa before I can book tickets with Kyrgyz airline... taking other airline would mean a stopover at almaty or turkey ... 18 hrs to 23 hrs of flight time.

I have also contacted Advantour online to make arrangements for my trip. By the way where did you stay in Kyrgyzstan. I hope you had a great time exploring this wonderful country. A good break from the hustle and bustle of Singapore and Dubai.

I will upload your post according on the lonely panet web site.

Cheers !
vodka_always

On Mon, 6/9/10, Desmond foo <zingzingla@yahoo.com.sg> wrote:

From: Desmond foo <zingzingla@yahoo.com.sg>

Subject: RE Kyrgyzstan visa
To: vodka_always@yahoo.com
Date: Monday, 6 September, 2010, 10:45 PM

Hi bro,I'm Desmond and a S'pore passport holder.

I flew to Kyrgyzstan in May with a few fellow country men from Tashkent ,Uzbekistan for a week of holiday and we got our visas at the Manas airport in Bishkek. No LOIs were needed,we just paid at this small visa counter ( US$80) and went to queue up at the usual immigration line n got a sticker and we were off! Easy peasy!!

When we were at Uzbekistan ,our agent confidently told us we don't need any LOI but we were still apprehensive because after doing extensive research we still culdn;t get any confirmation regarding needing a LOI for our visas at the airport.

FYI,we used a very good agent called Advantour which is based in Tashkent for our 2 weeks travel .

I forgot my password on Thorn tree hence ,am writing to u here. Can u help me to cut n paste on the forum to update other travellers.

Cheers
Desmond

Hello! I guess since you guys have been to Kyrgystan maybe you can give me some advice. I am planning to go to fly into Bishkek this july and go on one of CBT's tours.
1. Being a Singaporean with a Singapore passport, will i need to get a visa before i get tickets/fly into Bishkek or is there an option of getting my visa at the Bishkek airrport?
2. I am bookin my tix online and not through a travel agent so will this be an issue with getting a visa?
3. Is it particularly to travel between Kazakstan and kyrgyzstan via border crossing?
4. Lastly, any advice pertaining to travel in Kyrgyzstan would be great.

Cheers
vagabondshoes11

Hi all

I am a fellow Singaporean planning to do a similar trip in aug/sept 2012. My plan is to travel from china, do a crx border. Is it easier to get the visa in Singapore instead and do we still need LOI and stuff now?
Any info is will be great.

ellipses,

Not sure of the entry from china cross border into Kyrgyzstan ... but I think getting the visa issue sorted out early is the best. I am told that sometime it works ... sometime they put up a fuss and $$$ will then be the way to go. Was told that their embassy in malaysia will be of some help ... but I have not approached them yet.

vodka_always