Quick answer: +996 is Kyrgyzstan. Every Kyrgyz number has 9 digits after +996. Mobiles start with codes such as 22, 50, 55, 70, 77 or 99. If the number you were given starts with 0, drop the 0. Example:
+996 555 123 456.
How to dial Kyrgyzstan
| Calling from | Dial |
|---|---|
| Any mobile phone | +996 + 9 digits |
| Russia landline | 8, wait for the tone, then 10 996 + 9 digits |
| Germany, Turkey or UK landline | 00 996 + 9 digits |
| US or Canada landline | 011 996 + 9 digits |
Inside Kyrgyzstan, numbers are written with a leading 0, like 0555 123 456 or 0312 123 456. That 0 is only for calls inside the country. From abroad, leave it out: 0312 123 456 becomes +996 312 123 456.
Mobile and landline numbers
Mobiles are 9 digits with no area code, written in three groups: 555 123 456.
Landlines are an area code plus a local number, 9 digits together. Bishkek has a 3-digit code (312) and 6-digit local numbers. Osh and the regional towns have 4-digit codes and 5-digit numbers.
| City | Area code in Kyrgyzstan | From abroad |
|---|---|---|
| Bishkek | 0312 | +996 312 xxx xxx |
| Osh | 03222 | +996 3222 x xxxx |
| Jalal-Abad | 03722 | +996 3722 x xxxx |
| Karakol | 03922 | +996 3922 x xxxx |
| Tokmok | 03138 | +996 3138 x xxxx |
| Naryn | 03522 | +996 3522 x xxxx |
| Talas | 03422 | +996 3422 x xxxx |
| Batken | 03622 | +996 3622 x xxxx |
Codes that get mixed up with +996
+998 is Uzbekistan and +992 is Tajikistan, both neighbours. Kazakhstan, the neighbour to the north, shares +7 with Russia.
Time difference
Kyrgyzstan is on UTC+6 all year, with no daylight saving time. Since Kazakhstan moved to a single UTC+5 zone in March 2024, Bishkek is one hour ahead of Almaty.
| Where you are | Your clocks on summer time | Your clocks on standard time |
|---|---|---|
| Moscow | Kyrgyzstan is 3h ahead all year | |
| Kazakhstan | Kyrgyzstan is 1h ahead all year | |
| Turkey | Kyrgyzstan is 3h ahead all year | |
| Germany | Kyrgyzstan is 4h ahead | Kyrgyzstan is 5h ahead |
| US East Coast | Kyrgyzstan is 10h ahead | Kyrgyzstan is 11h ahead |
A 7 PM call from Moscow reaches Bishkek at 10 PM all year. A 10 PM call from New York reaches Bishkek at 8 AM in the US summer and 9 AM in the US winter.
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FAQ
Someone in Bishkek gave me a 6-digit number. How do I dial it?
That is a local landline number without the area code. Add the Bishkek code 312 in front: +996 312 XXX XXX.
Why won't my call to +996 go through?
Check three things: you dropped the leading 0, you have exactly 9 digits after +996, and you dialed 996, not 998 or 992.