Kyrgyzstan: Foreign Labour Quota
Kyrgyzstan has set its national foreign labour quota at 52,000 workers for 2026. This represents a substantial increase compared to previous years and demonstrates the country’s growing need for foreign workforce to support key sectors.
The largest demand comes from construction, services, trade, and agriculture. Kyrgyz authorities raised the quota multiple times throughout 2025 due to persistent domestic labour shortages. The new 2026 quota is one of the highest in recent history.
This decision makes Kyrgyzstan more open to foreign workers from CIS countries (especially Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Russia) and potentially from further abroad. Employers planning to hire foreign specialists or workers in 2026 are advised to start the permit process early, as quotas tend to fill up quickly.