Kyrgyzstan Launches Tamchy SFIT Zone, Offers Visa-Free Transit
The new territory, opened on 3 July 2026, offers a 96-hour visa-free transit regime and aims to attract 3,900 companies by 2035 with its 49-year tax exemption.
Kyrgyzstan's New Financial Hub
Kyrgyzstan inaugurated the Tamchy Special Financial Investment Territory (SFIT) on 3 July 2026, establishing a new financial zone designed to draw international investors. The territory, located by Lake Issyk-Kul, operates under English common law principles and provides a 0% tax rate for 49 years, effective from the entry into force of Law No 136 on 10 July 2025.
This initiative represents a strategic move by Kyrgyzstan to become a new commercial and investment hub in Central Asia, responding to shifts in global trade routes and capital flows.
A government spokesperson stated that the ambition is to create a financial centre from the ground up, featuring an independent court, a modern regulator, and stable regulations that will not change with market trends.
Legal Foundations and International Backing
The establishment of Tamchy SFIT required significant legislative work, including a dedicated law, two presidential decrees, and amendments to 25 existing laws to integrate its special status into Kyrgyzstan’s broader legal system.
The jurisdiction's framework is based on English common law and international regulatory practice, incorporating institutions such as a Management Council, a financial regulator, a digital registrar, and an International Dispute Resolution Centre for arbitration and mediation.
Ayaz Baetov, chairman of Tamchy SFIT's Management Council and Kyrgyzstan's Justice Minister, noted that importing this legal framework introduces centuries of institutional trust.
British expertise contributed to developing this framework, with the UK Embassy in Bishkek confirming a memorandum with Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Justice on English law development and the dispute-resolution centre.
Incentives and Early Investor Interest
Companies registering within Tamchy SFIT benefit from a 0% tax rate for 49 years, allowing for full foreign ownership and unrestricted repatriation of profits. Ali Ijaz Ahmad, first deputy chairman of Tamchy SFIT's Management Council, emphasised the zone's free currency convertibility and the ease of capital movement.
On its opening day, the SFIT registered companies from South Korea, Switzerland, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and Kazakhstan, with an additional 20 companies in the registration process, according to Tamchy SFIT.
Seo Dong-hyun, chief executive of South Korean investment group Serim, registered a family holding company, citing legal certainty and trust as foundational for long-term investment. Florian Ehrbar, founder of Swiss fintech company Onchain Technologies AG, highlighted the supportive local regulator as a decisive factor for his residency.
Travel Facilitation and Economic Outlook
Beyond financial incentives, Tamchy SFIT offers relocation support for companies bringing employees and their families, including various visa pathways and a 96-hour visa-free transit regime.
This package aims to reduce administrative burdens for residents, targeting traditional financial institutions, family offices, international trading companies, and innovation-driven businesses in fintech and digital assets. Tamchy SFIT's planning documents project the territory will accommodate approximately 3,900 resident companies by 2035.
Its management also anticipates the creation of 10,000 jobs and a contribution of $20 billion to the Kyrgyz economy between 2026 and 2035. For Asian investors and businesses, these travel facilitations and economic projections present a new avenue for regional expansion and diversification of their operational bases.
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