The +996 country code is for Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous Central Asian country of about 7 million people. Kyrgyzstan uses 9-digit phone numbers after the country code, with a trunk prefix (0) that must be dropped for international calls.
Hundreds of thousands of Kyrgyz workers in Russia and Kazakhstan call home regularly. Whether you're reaching family in Bishkek, contacts in Osh, or someone near Lake Issyk-Kul, this guide covers how to dial correctly and what to expect.
Quick answer: The +996 country code is for Kyrgyzstan. Phone numbers have 9 digits after the country code. Mobile numbers start with 5, 7, or 22 (format: +996 XXX XXX XXX). Landlines use city codes like 312 for Bishkek. Drop the trunk prefix 0 when dialing internationally. Don't confuse +996 (Kyrgyzstan) with +998 (Uzbekistan).
How to call Kyrgyzstan: quick reference
Most international calls to Kyrgyzstan come from Russia, where the largest Kyrgyz migrant community lives. The table below covers the main calling origins.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| Russia | 810-996-[9-digit number] |
| Kazakhstan | 810-996-[9-digit number] |
| Turkey | 00-996-[9-digit number] |
| South Korea | 001-996-[9-digit number] |
| US / Canada | 011-996-[9-digit number] |
| Germany | 00-996-[9-digit number] |
Understanding Kyrgyzstan phone numbers
Kyrgyz phone numbers are 9 digits after the +996 country code. Domestically, a 0 trunk prefix is added before the number, but you must drop it when calling from abroad.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers typically start with 5, 7, or 22:
- Domestic: 0-XXX-XXX-XXX (10 digits with trunk prefix)
- International: +996 XXX XXX XXX (9 digits after +996)
- Common prefixes: 550, 551, 555, 557, 700, 701, 702, 770, 771, 220
Landline numbers
Landlines use geographic area codes:
- Bishkek: +996 312 XXX XXX
- Osh: +996 3222 X XXXX
Area codes
| City / Region | Area code |
|---|---|
| Bishkek | 312 |
| Osh | 3222 |
| Jalal-Abad | 3722 |
| Karakol | 3922 |
| Tokmok | 3138 |
| Naryn | 3522 |
Landline use is declining. Most Kyrgyz people rely on mobile phones as their primary means of communication.
Mobile carriers in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan has three main mobile carriers. Coverage is decent in the Chuy Valley (around Bishkek) and Fergana Valley (around Osh), but gets thin in the high mountain regions.
MegaCom
The largest carrier by subscriber count. Uses prefixes 550, 551, 555, 557, and 559. MegaCom has the broadest geographic coverage, including some mountainous areas where other carriers don't reach.
Beeline Kyrgyzstan
Part of the VEON group (same parent as Beeline in Russia and Uzbekistan). Uses prefixes 770, 771, 772, and 773. Popular with users who call Russia frequently.
O! (Nur Telecom)
The third carrier, using prefixes 700, 701, 702, 703, and 706. Known for competitive data plans and decent urban coverage.
Number portability is limited, so prefixes are still a reasonable way to identify carriers.
Don't confuse +996 with nearby codes
Kyrgyzstan's code is in the Central Asian 99X cluster, making mix-ups with neighbors easy.
| Code | Country | Easy distinction |
|---|---|---|
| +996 | Kyrgyzstan | Ends in 6 |
| +998 | Uzbekistan | Ends in 8, neighboring country |
| +992 | Tajikistan | Ends in 2 |
| +993 | Turkmenistan | Ends in 3 |
| +7 | Russia / Kazakhstan | Single digit, completely different |
The most common mix-up is +996 vs +998 (Kyrgyzstan vs Uzbekistan). Both countries border each other and share Russian as a common language, so a wrong-number call might not be immediately obvious.
Time zone considerations
Kyrgyzstan uses Kyrgyzstan Time (KGT), which is UTC+6 year-round. No daylight saving time. This is 1 hour ahead of neighboring Uzbekistan and Tajikistan (UTC+5).
| Your location | Time difference |
|---|---|
| Russia (Moscow, UTC+3) | Kyrgyzstan is +3 hours |
| Kazakhstan (Almaty, UTC+6) | Same time |
| Turkey (UTC+3) | Kyrgyzstan is +3 hours |
| South Korea (UTC+9) | Kyrgyzstan is 3 hours behind |
| Germany (CET/CEST) | Kyrgyzstan is +5 hours (winter) / +4 hours (summer) |
| US East Coast (EST/EDT) | Kyrgyzstan is +11 hours (winter) / +10 hours (summer) |
For callers in Russia, Kyrgyzstan is 3 hours ahead of Moscow. A 6 PM call from Moscow reaches Bishkek at 9 PM. For US callers, mornings are the only practical window since evenings in the US are the middle of the night in Kyrgyzstan.
Communication in Kyrgyzstan
Business hours
Standard business hours are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Bazaars in Bishkek and Osh operate longer hours and on weekends. Government offices typically close by 5:00 PM.
Best times to call
Evenings (7:00-9:00 PM Kyrgyzstan time) work well for personal calls. During Ramadan (observed by many in the south), families are often awake later. Sundays are a common family day.
Network coverage
Coverage in Bishkek, Osh, and the Chuy and Fergana valleys is reasonable. Mountain passes, the Tien Shan highlands, and remote areas around Lake Son-Kul or the Pamir-Alay range have limited or no service. If you're calling someone traveling between towns in the mountains, they may be unreachable for hours.
Messaging apps
WhatsApp is widely used in Kyrgyzstan and works reliably. Telegram is also popular. Unlike neighboring Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan does not block messaging platforms, so app-based calls are a viable alternative to traditional phone calls for contacts who have good internet.
The Kyrgyzstan diaspora
Like its Central Asian neighbors, Kyrgyzstan has a large labor migrant population abroad. Remittances make up roughly 30% of the country's GDP.
Where Kyrgyz live abroad
- Russia: The primary destination. Several hundred thousand Kyrgyz citizens work in Russia, mainly in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg. Construction, retail, and services are the main sectors. Kyrgyz citizens have easier access to the Russian labor market due to Eurasian Economic Union membership.
- Kazakhstan: Almaty and Astana attract Kyrgyz workers and students, helped by geographic proximity and the shared border.
- Turkey: Growing Kyrgyz community, drawn by Turkic cultural and linguistic ties. Istanbul has a notable Kyrgyz population.
- South Korea: Several tens of thousands through the Employment Permit System, similar to Uzbek labor migration.
- United States and Germany: Smaller communities, often professionals or people who emigrated through educational or refugee programs.
Why they call home
Calls increase around Nowruz (March 20-21), Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Kyrgyz Independence Day (August 31). Many migrants call weekly to check on family. The nomadic horse games festival (World Nomad Games, held periodically) also prompts calls as families discuss travel plans.
Dialing examples
Calling a mobile in Bishkek
Your contact gives you: 0-555-123-456
- From Russia: 810 996 555 123 456
- From US: 011 996 555 123 456
- Using CallSky: +996 555 123 456
Drop the trunk prefix 0 and dial the 9-digit number after +996.
Calling a landline in Bishkek
Your contact gives you: 0-312-654-321
- From Russia: 810 996 312 654 321
- From Turkey: 00 996 312 654 321
- Using CallSky: +996 312 654 321
Drop the 0, keep the area code 312 (Bishkek).
Calling a mobile in Osh
Your contact gives you: 0-770-987-654
- From Kazakhstan: 810 996 770 987 654
- From South Korea: 001 996 770 987 654
- Using CallSky: +996 770 987 654
Mobile numbers work the same regardless of the caller's location in Kyrgyzstan.
Common mistakes to avoid
Keeping the trunk prefix 0
Inside Kyrgyzstan, domestic numbers start with 0. When calling from abroad, drop it. Dialing +996 0 555 123 456 won't work. The correct format is +996 555 123 456.
Confusing +996 with +998
+996 is Kyrgyzstan, +998 is Uzbekistan. Both are Central Asian neighbors where Russian is common. If your call reaches the wrong country, check the last digit of the country code.
Wrong digit count
Kyrgyz numbers are exactly 9 digits after +996. Landline area codes vary in length (3-4 digits), but the total is always 9. If you have more or fewer digits, verify the number with your contact.
No signal in the mountains
Kyrgyzstan is over 90% mountains. If you're trying to reach someone trekking, riding horses, or traveling between towns, they may have no coverage. Try again when they're likely back in a valley or town.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +996 code?
+996 is the country code for Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia.
How many digits are in a Kyrgyz phone number?
Kyrgyz numbers have 9 digits after the +996 country code. Domestically, a 0 trunk prefix is added, making it 10 digits.
How do I call a Kyrgyz mobile from Russia?
Dial 810 (Russia's international access code), then 996, then the 9-digit number without the trunk prefix 0. Example: 810 996 555 123 456.
What's the difference between +996 and +998?
+996 is Kyrgyzstan, +998 is Uzbekistan. They're neighboring Central Asian countries with codes two digits apart.
Does WhatsApp work in Kyrgyzstan?
Yes. WhatsApp and Telegram both work reliably in Kyrgyzstan. Unlike some neighboring countries, Kyrgyzstan does not block messaging apps.
What time zone is Kyrgyzstan in?
Kyrgyzstan uses UTC+6 year-round with no daylight saving time. It's 3 hours ahead of Moscow and the same time as Almaty, Kazakhstan.
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