Mercans offers complete payroll, PEO and HR services in Kyrgyzstan
A trade hub in the Central Asian region, Kyrgyzstan has created numerous free economic zones for the import, storage, production and sale of goods without taxes or custom duties. Kyrgyzstan has one of the fastest growing working populations in the world, thanks to the country’s high birth rate. While agriculture is strong, other key industries include textiles, hydro energy and tourism. However, at present time, a high degree of caution is advised due to the potential for civil unrest, threat of terrorism and high levels of crime.
Doing Business in Kyrgyzstan
A visa free regime is in place in order to create favorable conditions for tourism and business. Free economic zones afford special customs privileges for importing and exporting companies. Outside of the free economic zones, there are also a number of export promoting and facilitating schemes and the government has also undertaken a number of steps to streamline trade procedures.
Entity Registration and Incorporation Requirements
Setting up a new business or expanding an existing one in Kyrgyzstan is straightforward. Choose how your company operates from a range of entity types that suit your individual circumstance.
Banking
Banking Hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm from Monday to Friday.
Working Week
The standard working week is from Monday to Friday from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm.
Labor Law
The main piece of legislation affecting employment is the Labor Code which regulates labor rights, the management of work and the overseeing of employment disputes.
Main Industries
Small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, lumber, refrigerators
GDP Growth
4.50%
Dates & Numbers
dd/mm/yyyy
Official State Name
Kyrgyz Republic
Population
6.70 million
Capital
Bishkek
Major Languages
Kyrgyz
Currency
Kyrgyz som
Internet Domain
.kg
International Dialing Code
+996
Payroll
The minimum wage has been revised to increase effective January 2022.
It is acceptable to provide employees with online payslips
Payslip
Payroll reports must be kept for 5 years
Reports
Employees receive paid annual leave of 30 days
Annual Leave
Employees are entitled to paid sick leave
Sick Leave
Employees are entitled to 18 weeks of paid maternity leave and there is no legal provision for paternity leave in Kyrgyzstan
Maternity & Paternity Leave
Employers are required to provide 3 days notice of termination of employment
Employee Termination
There are no provisions mandated by law regarding the 13th month salary
13th month salary
1,970.00 KGS per month
Minimum Wage
Overtime pay is set at 0.5x the employee's ordinary rate of pay for the first 2 hours of overtime
Overtime
Employees are entitled to 12 months’ severance pay.
Severance Pay
Tax and Social Security
Citizens who are tax residents are taxed on their worldwide income but not residents and foreign workers are taxed only on Kyrgyzstan source income only. A flat rate of 10% is applied to most types of individual income. The social insurance system is further supported by new social assistance and labor market policies.
Tax
The tax burden on repatriation of profits by foreign investors has been reduced to conform to the tax rate for domestic investors.
Corporate Income Tax
Personal Income Tax
Sales Tax
VAT
Social Security
In addition to the health sector contingency plan, the government has increased policy packages to stimulate the economy and simplified procedures for unemployment benefit payments and provide greater temporary financial support for families with children under 16 years of age.
Social Security Rate
Social Security Rate for Employers
Social Security Rate for Employees
Employment Law
There are plans to increase the pensions and wages of public sector employees.
Employment Agreement
The basis of the employment relationship between worker and employer is based on the employment contract signed.
Working condition
Over the last few years including the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been less action by the government to protect jobs, workers and incomes. However, there have been some positive measures such as the prohibition of dismissal of workers and employees except for good reasons and some work arrangements are being adapted.
Leaves
The working conditions typically take no account of workers with family responsibilities and include practices such as irregular working hours, systematic recalling from leave, negative attitude due to sickness of employees or their children and disregard of the needs of nursing mothers and parents with small children.
Employment termination
The employment contract is governed by the Labor Code and termination is possible by either party. However, if the parties agree to a service contract, this is governed by the Civil Code wherein termination is possible on the grounds of agreement between the parties, because of a court decision or force majeure.
3 days
Minimum notice period for terminating an employee
12
Total number of public holidays
40
Working hours per week
2 days
Total number of days for Compassionate & Bereavement Leave
Immigration
Foreign workers of legal entities based in Kyrgyzstan, whether fully or partially owned by foreign companies, are subject to local laws and regulations. Such workers have the right to work and choose their trade provided they have appropriate supporting documentation. Employers may hire foreign nationals on the basis of employment permits. Those who stay and work temporarily are issued work permits provided their employer places a security deposit in a bank account specifically created by the migration authority to cover transportation costs of the foreign worker.
Residency permits
A fee is applied for employment or work permits, which is collected by the migration authority. Foreign worker quotas are set and approved by the government annually approximately four months before the start of the calendar year.
Work Permit Validity
1 year
Required Documents
A completed visa application form
A passport
One passport-size color photo
A letter inviting the individual to the Kyrgyz Republic
Payment of relevant visa fees
Build the best team and hire top talent compliantly in Kyrgyzstan. Get in touch with Kyrgyzstan payroll outsourcing & PEO specialists for a free consultation!