More than 5,000 Tajik citizens have been banned from leaving the country due to unpaid debts, according to a recent report by the Enforcement Service under the Government of Tajikistan.

Over the first nine months of 2025, around 1,600 individuals listed in the national debtor registry were prevented from crossing the border.  These travel restrictions compelled debtors to repay over 24.7 million somonis, more than $108,000, and 1,736 Belarusian rubles in outstanding debts to the state, individuals, and businesses.

Compared to the same period last year, the number of restricted debtors rose by 260 people, and repayments increased by 9.65 million somonis, $91,800, and 1,736 Belarusian rubles.

According to the Enforcement Service, from January to September 2025, the Unified State Debtor Register recorded 2,350 individuals and 13 organizations — 1,062 more entries than the previous year.

“Currently, travel bans have been imposed on 5,075 debtors — an increase of 2,123 compared to last year,” the agency reported. “Since the inception of this policy, more than 21,000 debtors have been subject to similar restrictions.”

The Enforcement Service is responsible for executing court decisions related to the recovery of fines, debts, alimony, and other financial obligations. The debtor registry includes individuals and legal entities required by court rulings to settle their financial liabilities, aiming to ensure the enforcement of those decisions.

Nearly 150 million somonis collected in alimony payments

The report also highlights that nearly 150 million somonis in alimony payments have been collected in favor of mothers and children in the first nine months of 2025 — an increase of 126.5 million somonis compared to the same period last year.

Currently, the Enforcement Service is managing nearly 98,900 alimony-related enforcement cases.

Earlier this year, the head of the Enforcement Service, Akhtam Abdullozoda, stated at a press conference that over 57.3 million somonis in alimony had been collected during the first half of 2025 — nearly 36 million more than the same period in 2024.

“If alimony payers fail to make payments for two months, their names are added to the debtor registry, and travel restrictions are imposed,” Abdullozoda explained.

In recent years, travel bans have become one of the most effective tools in Tajikistan to enforce alimony payments.

Tajikistan's Enforcement Service is a government body responsible for enforcing court decisions and is part of the judicial system. This service collects debts, including child support, and has seen increases in collections. Its functions are overseen by the Ministry of Justice and its practices are also subject to international scrutiny for areas of improvement, particularly concerning commercial enforcement.