uzbekistan visa free travel

Uzbekistani Passport

Access to 32 countries visa-free, 31 e-visa required and 29 visa on arrival. In 104 countries, a visa is mandatory.

Home to over 34 million people (est. 2021). It ranks 45th in global population. The country is located in Central Asia, bordering Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

The Uzbekistani passport serves as a travel document for its citizens. It facilitates international travel and proves the holder's identity and nationality. The document is issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Uzbekistan.

Visa-free map

Nearby countries.

The nearest visa free countries to visit for Uzbekistani passport holders are Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Oman and United Arab Emirates .

Visa free countries

So, where can Uzbekistanis travel without a visa? We have listed all the countries where Uzbekistan citizens can travel visa-free, eliminating the hassle of visa paperwork.

• 🇦🇩 Andorra (N/A)
• 🇧🇾 Belarus (Unlimited)
• 🇲🇩 Moldova (90 days)
• 🇷🇺 Russia (90 days)
• 🇺🇦 Ukraine (90 days)
• 🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda (1 month)
• 🇧🇧 Barbados (28 days)
• 🇩🇲 Dominica (21 days)
• 🇭🇹 Haiti (3 months)
• 🇻🇨 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (1 month)
• 🇦🇲 Armenia (180 days)
• 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan (90 days)
• 🇬🇪 Georgia (365 days)
• 🇮🇷 Iran (15 days)
• 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan (30 days)
• 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan (60 days)
• 🇲🇾 Malaysia (30 days)
• 🇲🇳 Mongolia (30 days)
• 🇴🇲 Oman (14 days)
• 🇵🇭 Philippines (30 days)
• 🇶🇦 Qatar (30 days)
• 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka (30 days)
• 🇹🇯 Tajikistan (30 days)
• 🇹🇭 Thailand (60 days)
• 🇹🇷 Turkey (90 days)
• 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates (30 days)
• 🇨🇰 Cook Islands (N/A)
• 🇫🇲 Micronesia (30 days)
• 🇳🇺 Niue (N/A)
• 🇼🇸 Samoa (60 days)
• 🇬🇲 Gambia (28 days)
• 🇳🇦 Namibia (3 months)

This data has been sourced from Wikipedia and was last updated on 9/1/2024.

• Afghanistan visa free countries
• Turkmenistan visa free countries
• Kazakhstan visa free countries

EMBASSY OF UZBEKISTAN IN THE UNITED STATES

The consular district of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Washington DC includes the following states of the US: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Washington DC, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Brazil, Canada, and Cuba.

Citizens who do not live in the above states of the US and countries of the American continent must apply to the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in New York   ( www.uzbekconsulny.org , tel: (212)754-7403, 754-6178, (917)539-4664 (cellphone/telegram), (347)217-4406 (cellphone/telegram), email:  [email protected] )

VISA-FREE REGIME FOR THE UNITED STATES CITIZENS UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE.

The United States citizens who are under 16 are eligible for a visa-free regime to visit Uzbekistan without a visa for tourism purposes and stay for a period not exceeding 90 days. They should provide an international passport or a biometric travel document and have to be accompanied by their legal guardians. In case foreign citizen reaches the age of 16 during their stay in Uzbekistan, an exit visa is issued by the Main Department of Migration and Registration of Citizenship of the Ministry of Interior Affairs of Uzbekistan.

VISA-FREE REGIME FOR CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OLDER THAN 55 YEARS.

In accordance with a Decree of the President of Uzbekistan #PF-4861 from December 2, 2016, a  visa-free regime has been established for citizens of the United States older than 55 years for a maximum stay of 30 days in Uzbekistan  (this information is found on TIMATIC (Travel Information Manual Automatic) which is a database containing documentation requirements for passengers traveling internationally via air, e.g.  passport  and  visa  requirements. Timatic is used by airlines and their representatives (check-in agents, managers, etc.), airport staff, and travel agents to determine whether a passenger can be carried, as well as by airlines and travel agents to provide this information to travelers at the time of booking. This is critical for airlines due to the fines levied by immigration authorities every time a passenger is carried who does not have the correct travel documentation, as well as the airline’s costs to return the incorrectly-boarded passenger to the original airport from which the passenger departed.

THE ELECTRONIC VISA FOR THE OTHER CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES.

The E-Visa (https://e-visa.gov.uz/main) system has restarted. The Embassy can not help to apply and obtain an e-visa if you face a problem with uploading a photo, payment and etc. (please follow by requirements for a photo https://e-visa.gov.uz/what-you-need-to-know or you should contact the hotline (+998 71) 200-00-88 or use the web portal feedback function ([email protected]).

If you face a problem with an e-visa, you can apply to the Embassy for multiple entries 30 days paper/sticker (non-electronic), which is glued into the passport.

LIST OF DOCUMENTS TO OBTAIN A STICKER VISA WHICH YOU HAVE TO SEND BY MAIL – FedEx:

– 2 completed and signed visa application forms (filled out on the website:  visa.mfa.uz ), please indicate your cell phone and email on the application by pen if no spaces).

– two passport-size photos.

– the  ORIGINAL PASSPORT (passport must be in good condition, not torn or damaged, and has at least ONE blank page to affix visa);

– a passport photocopy (only the main page of the passport with personal data and photo);

– visa fees in the form of a “Money Order”, not a cheque (VISA FEE: (1) $185–  for the US citizens;  (2)  $65 for only one entry 30 days visa for non-US citizens; $75 for only two entry 30 days visa for non-US citizens; $85 only three entry 30 days visa for non-US citizens ), pay to the Embassy of Uzbekistan to the USA.

– a copy of a letter, issued by the Consulate office of Uzbekistan, about renunciation of Uzbekistan citizenship (if the applicant was born in Uzbekistan and officially renounced Uzbekistan citizenship in accordance with the President’s Decree).

– self-paid-return envelope (we recommend PRIORITY USPS or FedEx “E – Express” shipping label, do not use other services).

A tourist visa is issued within 3 business days.

If it is urgent , please send an application and copy your passport by email:  [email protected] (then you can pick up the visa from the Embassy or send the above-indicated documents by mail – FedEx).

The Embassy’s address: Consular Section of the Embassy of Uzbekistan to the USA, 1746 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington DC, Zip-20036.

FREE-VISA PROCEDURE FOR TRANSIT PASSENGERS. 

A short-term visa-free entry to Uzbekistan for a period of  not more than five days  has been established for citizens of a number of states ( see list of countries ) transiting through the international airports of Uzbekistan if they have   ONLY Uzbekistan Airways air tickets from JFK to Tashkent and from Uzbekistan to third country .  This procedure applies to transit air passengers who wish to see the sights of Uzbekistan.

COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS

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Important information

• Before the purchase
• Passengers carrier rules

Visa rules for foreign citizens

• Passengers carrier contract
• Free baggage allowance for the class of service
• Travelling with Pets
• Rules for applying tariff on Uzbekistan Helicopters flights
• What services does Uzbekistan Airways Express provide
• Fare Rules for Low-Cost Flights
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Special services
• Aviation security
• Information about products, the import of which is restricted or banned in the following countries
• Travel document requirements for entry into destination/transit countries
• Special entry requirements for citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan to some countries
• Online registration
• CIP & Lounge
• Flight check-in
• Flight schedule
• Flight status
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• Business class
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• Onboard meals
• Rules of conduct for passengers on board of an aircraft

From February 10, 2018, a visa-free regime is introduced for 30 days period for citizens of 7 countries: Japan, Indonesia, Israel, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Turkey.

Read more:  https://mfa.uz/en/pages/visa-republic-uzb

The visa-free regime applies to citizens of these countries, holders of all categories of passports (diplomatic, service and civil) planning to visit the Republic of Uzbekistan for up to 30 days, regardless of the purpose of their trip. In order to enter the country, a person must have a valid national passport or another substitute document used for travel to foreign countries.

The visa-free regime does not apply to stateless persons permanently residing in the territories of these countries.

Accordingly, the visa-free regime is valid for 30 days from the date of entry into Uzbekistan. Before the end of the 30-day visa-free stay period, a foreign citizen must leave the Republic of Uzbekistan. Exceeding the 30-day visa-free stay is recognized as violation of the Rules of stay of foreign citizens in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Accordingly, if it is necessary to stay in Uzbekistan for more than 30 days, a foreign citizen must obtain an entry visa to the Republic of Uzbekistan in accordance with the established procedure, corresponding to the purpose of his trip.

From February 10, 2018, simplified procedure for issuing tourist visas is introduced for citizens of 39 countries (list is given below), that implies getting visa within two working days, not counting the day of receiving documents, with the cancellation of the requirement to provide a tourist voucher or an inviting legal / physical person in the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Previously, the simplified procedure for issuing visas was available for citizens of Austria, Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy, Latvia, France, Switzerland, Thailand, Czech Republic and Poland.

Tourists from these countries are given multiple-entry visas for up to 1 month, and representatives of the business community for up to 1 year, without requiring a tour voucher or an invitation from an inviting legal or physical person in Uzbekistan to the Uzbek Foreign Ministry. Visas are issued within 2 working days, not counting the day of receipt of documents.

The list of countries whose citizens can use simplified procedure for the issuing of tourist visas since February 10, 2018.

1. Australia

2. Republic of Albania

4. Republic of Bulgaria

5. Bosnia and Herzegovina

7. People’s Republic of China (including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China)

8. Republic of Croatia

9. Republic of Finland

10. Hungary

11. Republic of Greece

12. Kingdom of Denmark

13. Republic of Estonia

14. Republic of India

15. Ireland

16. Iceland

17. State of Kuwait

18. Republic of Lithuania

19. Liechtenstein

20. Luxembourg

21. Republic of Macedonia

22. Republic of Malta

24. Montenegro

25. Kingdom of the Netherlands

26. New Zealand

27. Kingdom of Norway

28. Sultanate of Oman

29. Republic of Portugal

30. Romania

31. Republic of San Marino

32. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

33. Republic of Serbia

34. Slovak Republic

35. Republic of Slovenia

36. Kingdom of Sweden

37. United Arab Emirates

38. United States of America

39. Vatican

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Travel Advisory June 23, 2023

Uzbekistan - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with updates to health information.

Exercise normal precautions in Uzbekistan. 

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Uzbekistan.

If you decide to travel to Uzbekistan: 

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. 
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter . 
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Uzbekistan. 
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel. 
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist . 

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Quick Facts

Must be valid for at least three months beyond your allowed period of stay.

One page required for entry stamp.

None required. Vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There is no foreign currency restriction, but the amount of U.S. dollars or any foreign currency in the traveler’s possession upon exiting Uzbekistan may not exceed the total amount declared by the traveler upon entry to Uzbekistan. If it does, the traveler must present documentation showing the source of the additional currency.

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Tashkent

3 Moyqorghon Street, 5th block Yunusobod District, 100093 Tashkent Uzbekistan Telephone: +(998) (78) 120-5450 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(998) (78) 120-5450 Fax: +(998) (71) 120-5448 Email: [email protected]

Destination Description

See the Department of State’s  Fact Sheet on Uzbekistan   for information on U.S.-Uzbekistan relations

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Visit the  Embassy of Uzbekistan  website for the most current visa information.

There are two types of visas that are available for Uzbekistan, "physical” and “e-visa.” For both types of visas:

• Visitors may not enter Uzbekistan with a valid Uzbek visa in a canceled or expired U.S. passport, even if they present another valid U.S. passport at the port of entry.
• If a traveler has a single-entry visa, they cannot re-enter Uzbekistan using the same visa.

Physical Visas: Some categories of travelers such as students, investors, and businesspersons require a physical visa. U.S. citizens should apply for physical visas well in advance of their travel and should apply through Uzbekistan’s consular missions abroad, including the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Washington, D.C. A list of Uzbekistan’s consular missions abroad is available on the official website of the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs .

E-Visas: Travelers wishing to enter for Uzbekistan for tourism for 30 days or less may apply for an e-visa. E-visa application processing, including fees and visa validity, can be found by visiting the Embassy of Uzbekistan website . The e-visa application is submitted through the government of Uzbekistan’s e-visa portal .

Tips for entering Uzbekistan on an E-Visa: 

• Travelers must ensure they receive email confirmation that their e-visa is approved. Confirmation of payment is  not  confirmation of visa approval.
• Travelers should print and carry the e-visa approval with them to Uzbekistan.
• E-visas cannot be extended in Uzbekistan. Travelers seeking a longer period of stay may apply for a regular, physical tourist visa through Uzbekistan’s consular missions abroad.
• If a traveler believes they have a valid and approved e-visa, but Uzbekistan immigration authorities are unable to verify it, the traveler may contact the following public phone numbers within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Hotline: +998 71-200-00-88; Visa Issues: +998 71-236-27-07. 

Visa-free Entry for U.S. Citizens under 16:  U.S. citizens who are under 16 and traveling for tourism are eligible for a visa-free regime. They should present a valid U.S. passport at the point of entry and must be accompanied by their legal guardians. The period of stay generally will correspond with the duration of the visa of the accompanying guardian and will not exceed 90 days. More information is available at the  Embassy of Uzbekistan  website.

Visa-free Entry for Foreign Citizens over 55:  U.S. citizens who are older than 55 and traveling for tourism are eligible for a visa-free regime with a valid passport. The period of stay cannot exceed 30 days. More information is available at the  Embassy of Uzbekistan  website.

Registration:  The government of Uzbekistan requires all foreigners to register with the local authorities within three days of arrival in Uzbekistan.  From the date of the initial registration, travelers are responsible for maintaining uninterrupted registration. Visit our  Registration in Uzbekistan  website for more information.

Border Crossings:  Travel within Uzbekistan by rail or land sometimes requires brief entries into neighboring countries. Travelers should obtain a multiple-entry Uzbek visa as well as proper visas for the relevant neighboring countries, if needed.

Airport Screening Procedures: All travelers should anticipate strict airport security screening procedures. Travelers wishing to be screened privately should note secondary screening procedures are more thorough than those conducted at the primary security checkpoint.

HIV/AIDS:  Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors and foreign residents of Uzbekistan. Long-term visitors may be required to submit HIV test results along with their visa application. For more information, contact the  Embassy of Uzbekistan  before you travel.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction  and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Terrorism: Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to more effectively target crowds. Frequently, their aim is unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists.
• Places of worship
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights)

For more information, see our  Terrorism  page.

Demonstrations  are rare and unlikely to occur, particularly inside Tashkent. However, clashes between police and protesters have resulted in deaths in the past.

• Demonstrations can be unpredictable. Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. 
• Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.
• Past demonstrations have ended in mass arrests.
• Check local and/or social media for updates and traffic advisories.
• Violent demonstrations may be more likely outside the capital city.

Crime:  Violent crime against foreign nationals is rare, but can occur, especially in larger cities and primarily during late night hours. In urban areas, travelers are urged to take the same precautions they would take in any large U.S. city. If traveling at night, stay in well-lit areas, travel in groups, maintain a low profile, and do not display large amounts of cash. Beware of pickpockets in public places, such as tourist destinations, train stations, and local markets. Although using private cars as taxis is common in Uzbekistan, U.S. citizens, especially women, should not consider this a safe practice. U.S. citizens are encouraged to use clearly marked taxis, such as those at hotels, and should avoid riding in unmarked taxis.

Scams:  See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime:  Report crimes to the local police at 102 (Tashkent) or 02 (most of Uzbekistan) and to the U.S. Embassy at + (998) (78) 120-5450.

• Help you find appropriate medical care.
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police.
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent.
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during and after the local investigation.
• Provide a list of local attorneys.
• Provide information on  victim’s compensation programs in the United States.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution.
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home.
• Replace a stolen or lost passport.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on  insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the foreign countries they visit. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.

Furthermore, certain acts of U.S. citizens overseas are prosecutable as crimes in the United States even if they are not illegal under the local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

• Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs are severe. Expect long jail sentences and heavy fines if you are convicted. 
• It is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. Ask before taking photographs of anything of possible military or security interest. 
• Always carry a copy of your U.S. passport, visa, and visa registration, since local police may conduct document inspections. Check your visa and registration validity dates regularly, and renew them before they expire.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries and they may be illegal according to the local laws. You may be subject to fines and/or have to give up the counterfeit and pirated goods if you bring them back to the United States. See the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website and the  U.S. Department of Justice website  for more information.

Faith-Based Travelers: See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers

International Volunteers

• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers: Sexual relations between men are against the law and punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment. The law does not specifically address same-sex sexual activity between women. Same-sex sexual activity is a taboo subject in Uzbekistani society, and there are no registered LGBTQI+ organizations. See   our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information   page and section 6 of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities: The law in Uzbekistan prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental disabilities, and the law is enforced. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is not as prevalent as in the United States. Buildings, public transportation, and social infrastructure facilities, such as clinics and schools, are rarely adapted for use by persons with disabilities. 

Students: See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Medical care in Uzbekistan is below U.S. standards with shortages of basic medical supplies, including disposable needles, anesthetics, and antibiotics. Some medication sold in local pharmacies is known to be counterfeit. Elderly travelers and those with pre-existing health problems may be at particular risk due to inadequate medical facilities. Most resident U.S. citizens travel to North America or Europe for their medical needs.

Generally, in hospitals only minimal staff is available overnight, and medical staff may speak little or no English.  Patients bear all costs for transfer to or between hospitals.  Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, even in the larger cities, with hospital-based care only available through government institutions.

For emergency services in Uzbekistan, dial 103 (Tashkent) or 03 (most of Uzbekistan).

 Other provider numbers are:

• Fire: 101 (Tashkent), 01 (most of Uzbekistan)
• Police: 102 (Tashkent), 02 (most of Uzbekistan)
• Ministry of Emergency Situations: 1050 (Tashkent), 050 (most of Uzbekistan)

Ambulance services are:

• widely available but training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards.
• not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.
• staffed with trained physicians and paramedics with limited medical equipment.
• private ambulance services may have quicker response times and are available in some major cities.
• very few English-speaking providers are available.
• injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

The Department of State, U.S. embassies, and U.S. consulates do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance:   Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See  our webpage  for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. Visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas. We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Pharmaceuticals:

• Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas.  Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescription in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little controls. Counterfeit medication is common and may prove to be ineffective, the wrong strength, or contain dangerous ingredients.  Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States. Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States.  Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States. Please visit the  U.S. Customs and Border Protection  and the  Food and Drug Administration  websites for more information.
• Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with Uzbekistan’s laws and legislation  to ensure the medication is legal in Uzbekistan.

Vaccinations:   Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Water Quality:  In many areas of Uzbekistan, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe. Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water.

Air Quality : Visit  AirNow Department of State  for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Air pollution is a significant problem in major cities in Uzbekistan. Consider the impact seasonal smog and heavy particulate pollution may have on you and consult your doctor before traveling if necessary.

Adventure Travel:  Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about  Adventure Travel .

U.S. Embassy Tashkent’s Consular Section maintains a list of  medical contacts

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety: Uzbekistan has a developed but inconsistently maintained traffic infrastructure. Although main roads in central Tashkent are relatively well maintained, many secondary roads inside and outside Tashkent are in poor condition. Exercise caution on rural or mountainous roads.

Driving at night can be dangerous. Rural roads and highways are generally not lit, and only major cities have streetlights. The fuel supply can be sporadic, and travelers may encounter occasional difficulty finding gasoline outside Tashkent.

Livestock, as well as farm equipment and animal-drawn carts that lack lights or reflectors, are found on both urban and rural roads at any hour. Local drivers are unfamiliar with safe driving techniques. Drivers often disregard traffic signals, ignore lane markings, and move erratically and at high speeds. Pedestrians cross streets unexpectedly and often without looking for oncoming traffic.

Passersby and drivers generally respond quickly to automobile accidents and notify relevant authorities; however, police may not arrive at the scene right away. There are private roadside assistance services available in Uzbekistan that can assist with towing, fuel refill, tire replacement, etc.

Traffic Laws:   Uzbekistan has a large traffic police force, which frequently stops drivers for minor infractions or simple document checks. There have been reports of traffic police harassing foreign drivers and asking them for bribes.

Public Transportation: Public transportation in the city is often overcrowded and not always safe. Avoid using unmarked taxis or entering a cab that already has passengers. Most taxis lack working seatbelts in the back seat. Buses and shuttle buses (marshrutkas), especially in residential areas, lack necessary route maps and information, and driver schedules may be unpredictable.

See our  Road Safety page  for more information.

Aviation Safety Oversight:   The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Uzbekistan’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Uzbekistan’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on X (formerly known as "Twitter") and Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Uzbekistan . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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Travel Guideline

Travel Information 2020

Information for Traveling in Uzbekistan

______________________________________________________________________________________

Attention! The Official Order Of Stay Of Tourists In Uzbekistan For The Period Of Coronavirus

Getting a tourist visa to Uzbekistan

Tourist visa extension, rules for the stay of foreign citizens in uzbekistan.

• Customs regulations for individuals entering the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Customs rules for individuals leaving the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The procedure for import and export of cash foreign and national currency by individuals, importation of medicines for personal use, export of cultural property, import and export of objects of flora and fauna, hunting trophies, import and export of pets, features and specifics of national uzbek cuisine, weather and climate features, transport and moving, photographing and filming, credit cards and atms, communication, insurance coverage of foreign tourists.

Applications

Appendix No. 1A

Appendix No. 1B

Appendix No. 1C

Appendix No. 2

Appendix No. 3

Appendix No. 4A

Appendix No. 4B

Appendix No. 4C

Appendix No. 5

Appendix No. 6

Appendix No. 7

TRAINING PREPARATIONS

1.1.Citizens of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan (up to 60 days), Moldova, Russia, Ukraine do not need a visa.

Also, visa-free entry to Uzbekistan valid for up to 30 days is valid for citizens of the following countries:

The list of countries for which a simplified procedure for obtaining tourist visas (electronic visa) has been introduced *, the list of necessary documents for inviting foreigners to legal entities:, the list of necessary documents for inviting foreigners to individuals:, to obtain a visa, foreign citizens and stateless persons must submit the following documents to the diplomatic mission or consular office of uzbekistan abroad:, for registration and issuance of visas the legislation of the republic of uzbekistan provides for the following tariffs of consular fees:.

• a) for single entry visas:
• b) for multiple visas:
• c) for transit visas:
• d) for group visas (the group must have at least 5 people, excluding children under 16):
• e) for a tourist visa:
• f) from March 15, 2019, a system for issuing the following types of electronic entry visas with a validity period of 30 days is introduced:

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

Customs rules for individuals entering the territory of the republic of uzbekistan, categories of cultural property items consist of:, cultural property under the age of 50 years, for which a certificate for the right to export it is not required:, for the export of cultural property not included in this list, you must obtain a certificate., advice to travelers, intercity transportation, the import by individuals of certain types of goods not subject to customs duties, removal norms, an individual types of goods, quantitative standards * for import through road (pedestrian), railway and river checkpoints of the state border of the republic of uzbekistan by individuals of certain goods that are not subject to customs duties, electronic devices and high-frequency devices, the import and use of which is allowed on the territory of the republic of uzbekistan only with the permission of the ministry of development of information technologies and communications of the republic of uzbekistan.

• a) mobile phones of cellular communication networks (8525 20 910) for personal (individual) use, not more than 1 device, with the exception of mobile phones of global and regional satellite systems;
• b) portable transceiver radios (8525 20) operating in the range 26965-27860 kHz with a power of not more than 5 W;
• c) burglar alarm devices (8525 20) in the range 26945-26965 kHz with a power of not more than 2 W.

permits, as well as authorized bodies for their issuance

Of narcotic drugs, the circulation of which in the republic of uzbekistan is limited, psychotropic substances, the circulation of which in the republic of uzbekistan is limited, on the procedure for import and export of medicines and medical devices by individuals for personal use, the procedure for import and export of medicines and medical devices by individuals for personal use.

• The import and export of medicines and medical devices without state registration and without customs clearance is allowed if they are intended for:
• Medicines and medical devices for import and export by individuals for personal use in the cases provided for in clause 3 of these Regulations should be used exclusively to provide medical care to these people and cannot be transferred or sold to other people.
• Without presenting a document issued by a medical institution of the country of residence or stay, by individuals for personal use, import and export is carried out:

folk arts and crafts, created over the past 50 years, the export of which does not require a certificate

Mobile prefixes and useful phones, dialing rules:, official sites of government, reference information and more, information on diplomatic missions foreign countries in uzbekistan.

We wish you a pleasant journey!

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16 things to know before visiting Uzbekistan

Aug 6, 2024 • 8 min read

Uzbekistan is a dynamic place with a long history – here's what you need to know before you go. Getty Images

Uzbekistan is the Central Asian destination that you’ve been dreaming about. Magnificent blue-domed mosques, towering minarets, atmospheric Silk Road cities and ancient bazaars are coupled with the region’s best accommodation, easiest transportation and great value for money. It’s the most visited of the Central Asian republics and with good reason .

Travel to Uzbekistan is also easier than ever, so if you are at all tempted to see the glories of Uzbekistan’s iconic Silk Road cities, then all the planning tips you need are here. I've been visiting since the mid-1990s as a Lonely Planet writer for the region and have dealt with pretty much every travel challenge you can imagine. 

1. Uzbekistan can be uncomfortably hot in summer

Time your trip to coincide with the best weather. Land-locked Uzbekistan has an extreme continental climate, which means cold winters and hot, dry summers. It’s possible to visit Uzbekistan year-round but the most comfortable months weather-wise are from March to May, and September to November.

July and August’s summer heat often bring punishing temperatures of over 40°C (104°F), though you may have to visit at this time if you are heading onward to the mountains of neighboring Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan .

2. Most nationalities get a visa-free one-month stay

Getting a visa for Uzbekistan is easy these days. Over 60 nationalities now qualify for visa-free travel for up to a month, including the UK, most EU countries, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea and Israel. Other countries (including the USA and India) are required to apply for an e-visa online , but this is an easy process that only takes a couple of days. Gone are the days of complicated visa invitations and trips to obscure embassies – hurray!

3. Book high-speed train tickets in advance

The most comfortable way to travel the modern Silk Road between Tashkent , Samarkand , Bukhara and the Fergana Valley , is on Uzbekistan’s modern high-speed Afrosiyob train service. It takes just over two hours to travel from Tashkent to Samarkand, and the same again to reach Bukhara from Samarkand. For longer distances, Russian-style sleeper trains are an atmospheric way to travel overnight between Tashkent and the remoter cities of Nukus, Khiva or Termiz.

However, seats do sell out on popular routes, especially for high-speed tourist services, so book tickets a week or more in advance. Try online via the Uzbekistan Railway e-ticket portal , use the Uzrailway phone app, or book through a local travel agency (for a markup).

4. Book B&Bs well ahead of your arrival in the high season

The traditional towns of Samarkand, Khiva and Bukhara all offer an excellent selection of stylish, comfortable, family-run B&Bs, which are easily the most interesting places to stay. The best ones fill up quickly in late spring and summer, so be sure to book a few weeks in advance. Contact owners directly, or see what comes up on Booking.com .

5. Pre-book an airport pickup when flying into Tashkent Airport

Many international flights to Tashkent arrive into Uzbekistan’s sprawling capital in the dead of night. If you don’t fancy negotiating with a scrum of eager taxi drivers, while still bleary-eyed after a seven-hour flight, it might be worth booking an airport pickup through your accommodation.

If you'd prefer to take a taxi, be aware that overcharging by taxi drivers is not uncommon in Uzbekistan – always try to get a rough idea of the correct fare beforehand. The easiest way to arrange a taxi ride in Tashkent is via the ride-sharing app Yandex Go , though you’ll need a local SIM card to use it.

6. Travel is easier if you speak a few words of Uzbek or Russian

English is not widely spoken in Uzbekistan outside of tourist hotels, so it helps to learn some words of Uzbek (a Turkic language similar to old Turkish), or Russian, which remains a lingua franca amongst older people right across the former Soviet Union. Street signs are mostly in Uzbek Latin script, though you may also see some Russian-style Cyrillic script; it’s useful to learn both so you can at least read signs for place names and bus destinations.

Knowing numbers in Uzbek or Russian will come in particularly handy when negotiating with shared taxi drivers. Google Translate can help, but only if you have smartphone data – to minimize roaming costs, tourist SIM cards valid for a month are available from several local companies, notably Beeline and Ucell.

7. Be aware of local rules and laws 

Uzbekistan is very tourist-friendly these days, but there are a few things travelers should know about. When entering the country, you cannot bring in any codeine-based medications (such as painkillers) and you may need to declare how much foreign cash you are carrying. In reality, you are unlikely to be quizzed at customs if you arrive by air in Tashkent, but you might be when entering via land crossings.

You may also find that your hotel or B&B gives you a small paper registration slip when you check-in. In the past you had to show these for every night of your trip when leaving the country; these days, the old paper system has been superseded by an online system and slips are rarely checked, but you should still keep these when given them, just in case.

Be sure to carry your passport (or at the very least a photocopy) with you when you go sightseeing in Uzbekistan. Police have the right to inspect your passport on demand, and you’ll likely need to show it at checkpoints on any long-distance trip. Keep a photocopy to hand to avoid having to dig through your belongings in public.

8. Get your cash from a bank or ATM

Changing money is relatively straightforward in Uzbekistan these days. You’ll get the same rate at banks and ATMs as you do from bazaar money changers, so there’s little reason to change money through unofficial channels. Credit and debit cards (especially Visa) are accepted by most accommodation and upmarket souvenir stalls. ATMs in major cities accept foreign cards, but stock up on Uzbek som (the local currency) if you are headed into the countryside.

Uzbek bills now come in denominations up to 100,000 som , so you won’t have to carry around the brick-sized wads of cash that were the norm just a few years ago. It’s always a good idea to have a stash of small denomination bills in Euros or US dollars for an emergency, a border crossing or just a bit of shopping.

9. Brush up on your chaikhana etiquette

Chai (tea) is Central Asia’s social lubricant, so it helps to know the local tea etiquette. Look like an expert in the local chaikhana (teahouse) by pouring the first two bowls of tea back into the pot before drinking, to help it brew. Choose from Russian-style kara (black) or Asian-style kok (green) chai.

10. Pay attention to body language

Uzbeks are big hand-shakers, so be sure to shake the hands of any men you come into contact with, especially elders (known as aksakal in Central Asia). Another particularly graceful gesture used by Uzbeks and Tajiks is to place your hand on your heart when meeting someone. When meeting women, a slight bow is the norm, in place of a handshake.

At the end of a meal, Uzbeks and Tajiks generally place their hands in front of their face in a cupped prayer gesture and run them lightly over their face to give thanks for the meal. Following suit will earn you respect for understanding and following Uzbek customs.

11. Haggle, but don’t push things too far

Haggling over things like the price of taxis and buying produce at markets is common in Uzbekistan, but prices are not vastly overinflated, so only expect a modest discount. Aggressive haggling is not appreciated – keep things light-hearted and friendly. You may also be able to bargain for a discount on accommodation prices outside the high season.

12. Bazaars are your friend if you’re vegetarian

Food in Uzbekistan is quite meat-heavy, focused on the four staples of shashlik (lamb kebabs), plov (pilau rice), shurpa (stew) and laghman (noodles) – all sometimes featuring more fat than visitors may be used to. But there are almost always some vegetarian options, including plenty of Russian-influenced salads, so don’t be afraid to ask for a meat-free meal.

For food on the hoof, Uzbekistan’s bazaars are good places to stock up on dried fruits and nuts, fresh fruit (Uzbek melons and peaches are legendary), spicy Korean salads, jars of mountain honey and freshly cooked non (naan) bread.

13. Uzbekistan is generally safe

Uzbekistan is generally a very safe country for tourists. Despite sharing a border with Afghanistan, there is little religious extremism and crime against foreigners is rare. As in big cities anywhere, watch out for pickpockets on crowded city buses and bazaars in hubs such as Tashkent; tourist police frequent the more popular tourist sights.

14. Women travelers face few problems

Uzbekistan is a Muslim country, but people are very relaxed. There aren’t many things to worry about when it comes to clothing, and women travelers will have few problems traveling solo here. Short skirts, tank tops and yoga pants are best avoided, and you may want to cover your arms and legs when visiting the conservative Fergana Valley . Bring a headscarf to cover your hair when entering active mosques.

15. Skip the tap water

The most common complaints amongst visitors are heat exhaustion in summer and the occasional dodgy tummy after eating too much oily plov or shashlik. Wash your hands, avoid the tap water and wash all fruit and salads before eating and you should be fine.

16. Get more from the sights

A couple of bonus tips: be sure to return to the exteriors of the main architectural sights in Samarkand at night, as most are spectacularly lit up. Also, when planning your itinerary, avoid visiting Tashkent on a Monday, when most of the museums are closed.

This article was first published Aug 12, 2023 and updated Aug 6, 2024.

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Tips and how to travel to Uzbekistan (2024)

By Joan Torres 39 Comments Last updated on August 27, 2024

Once a hermetic country with very strict visa policies for foreigners, Uzbekistan has opened its borders to show the world the majesty of what used to be the core and center of the ancient Silk Road, a country filled with impressive shrines, mosques and perfectly shaped old cities.

Uzbekistan is, by far, the most tourist-friendly country in Central Asia and an unmissable destination for sightseeing city lovers.

However, this ex-Soviet Republic has many bureaucratic and cultural peculiarities, which you are highly recommended to know well in advance.

In this Uzbekistan travel guide, we will go through all of them, so here is a list of useful tips for traveling to Uzbekistan .

In this Uzbekistan travel guide you will find:

Table of Contents

• Travel Insurance
• Useful books
• A Silk Road country
• Money in Uzbekistan
• Border crossings
• Cultural facts
• Accommodation
• Transportation
• More resources

our recommended travel insurance for Uzbekistan

With its Backpacker plan, IATI Insurance is the best insurance for any kind of adventurous destination, like Uzbekistan.

🪪 Visa for traveling to Uzbekistan

Free visa on arrival for uzbekistan.

In 2019, requirements for traveling to Uzbekistan were eased, when they finally offered a 30-day free visa on arrival for most nationalities.

This VOA is valid in both airports and land borders and it applies to all Western nationalities, EXCEPT for the USA. Here you can see the updated list .

e-visa for Uzbekistan

Those nationalities which can’t get a VOA – and that includes nationals from the USA and India – can apply for an e-visa.

It’s a very easy process which only costs 20USD, takes 2-3 working days and this is the official website .

By default, you will get a 30-day visa, but it is also possible to apply for a multiple-entry visa. Unlike some years ago, the entry date is not fixed but you can enter any day you like within a 90-day period.

How to apply for an Uzbek e-visa

Apparently, the system has issues with some email domains, the photo format and, basically, it has quite a few bugs. Nowadays, however, most travelers do apply successfully, and all common issues and tips are well-explained here .

Visa for Uzbekistan via embassy

In the unlikely case the e-visa doesn’t work for you, you will have to go to the embassy, so I recommend starting to apply well-in-advance.

Typically, it would be a 1-week process in which you would need a passport copy, 2 passport photos, your hotel reservation, and your visa application form (printed and filled out).

By the way, one relevant difference vs the e-visa is that, with an embassy visa, the entry and exit dates are fixed, so you need to state the specific days you will be traveling in Uzbekistan and you can’t modify them. This means that you can’t enter before the entry date or leave after the exit date you specified.

For more information and details, read this post:  Getting a visa for Uzbekistan

🚑 Travel Insurance Uzbekistan

IATI Insurance is the most versatile insurance for any type of trip and destination, including Uzbekistan:

• Different plans for each kind of travelers
• Budget plans
• Covers senior citizens too
• Readers of this blog can get a 5% exclusive discount

📚 Books for traveling in Uzbekistan

Here you have the most typical options, but if you want to get deeper, I recommend you check this list, containing the 28 best books on the Silk Road and the Stans , with specific books on Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan travel guide by Bradt

The most complete guide to Uzbekistan. I am a heavy consumer of Bradt Guides, as they give more local insights and personal experience than any other book.

Central Asia travel guide by Lonely Planet

If you are traveling to other countries in Central Asia, you may want to buy the generic guide in order to save some money. It contains a full chapter dedicated to Uzbekistan.

Murder in Samarkand by Craig Murray

If you want to know about all the human rights abuse during the regime from the previous president, this is the best book.

Tourism in Uzbekistan, a Silk Road country

Uzbekistan is the core of the silk road.

Uzbekistan is synonymous with the Silk Road, a country which is home to the three most important Silk Road cities, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. Timeless mosques and historical buildings define a characteristic skyline in every city, Uzbekistan has been the main stopover for countless civilizations traveling east and west, while exchanging goods, ideas, and knowledge. Traveling in Uzbekistan and strolling downs its bazaars and old cities is like going back to the past. 

The most majestic shrines and buildings I have ever seen

From the imposing Registan to the cute, old city of Khiva, Uzbekistan is the perfect destination for travelers interested in stunning Islamic architecture.

It’s surprisingly touristic

Who would guess that the streets of the ancient Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan were filled with plenty of touristic shops, selling things from typical souvenirs to traditional local handicrafts, something unseen in Central Asia.

Tourist profile

While the most common tourist in Kyrgyzstan is a young backpacker, the main tourist in Uzbekistan is a 50-80-year old person who travels in a tour group. Actually, during high season, there are tens of groups all over the cities.

However, outside of the three main cities, there is nobody

In places like Tashkent , Moynaq and the Aral Sea and the Fergana Valley , we barely saw any tourist and the local interactions were much more rewarding.

💻 Internet and connectivity in Uzbekistan

Esim for browsing, calling and traveling in uzbekistan.

Basically, an eSIM is a regular SIM card with a digital format that works like a normal physical SIM card, with the added benefit that you can buy it from home before the beginning of your trip, hence avoiding the hassle of buying it at your destination. 

With Holafly , you can get a SIM Card for a wide range of destinations, including Uzbekistan . 

Moreover, you can benefit from a 5% discount with the following code:  AGAINSTTHECOMPASS

The Internet is just OK

Internet is not as good as in Kyrgyzstan or Kazakhstan but it’s definitely better than Tajikistan. Most hotels will have decent Wi-Fi and 3G works perfectly well throughout the country.

How to get a SIM Card

Get Beeline, with which, for a couple of USD, you will get plenty of data and calls. It is very easy to buy a SIM Card and all you need is your passport. 

Get a VPN for traveling in Uzbekistan

You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks.

Your connection will be much safer. 

Moreover, you will be able to access content which is typically censored in Uzbekistan. 

I recommend ExpressVPN – Extremely easy to use, fast and cheap. 

If you want to learn more about VPN, check: Why you need a VPN for traveling .

💰 About MONEY: What you need to know when traveling in Uzbekistan

In Uzbekistan, they use the Uzbek SUM (UZS) . The currency value is extremely low and approximately:

1 USD = 12,673 UZS

Cash and ATMs in Uzbekistan

Some years ago, ATMs in Uzbekistan didn’t accept foreign cards but that has drastically changed now. There are loads of ATMs that you can use absolutely everywhere, even in markets.

Bear in mind, however, that with an international card, in some ATMs you can only withdraw USD, which you need to exchange at the bank. This way, they can charge you commission twice and by the way, when you withdraw, the commission is 1%. In practice nevertheless, this is not being the case anymore and today, more and more ATMs do give Uzbek SUM.

By the way, bring a spare backpack for the cash Sometimes, whatever quantity you change, they will give you all the money in 1,000UZS notes, meaning that you will be carrying 3 kilograms of cash. It’s very inconvenient.

Exchanging money in Uzbekistan

You can change money in most banks – Some years ago, the official bank rate was almost 100% lower than on the black market, so nobody wanted to exchange money in banks. This changed and, finally, the official rate has gone up to its actual value.

This means that you can now exchange money in banks, which can easily be found all over the cities. The best part is that some banks give you bigger notes, so there is no need to carry ten packs of cash.

You can still get money in the black market – However, I don’t recommend it, as they are the ones who always give you smaller notes and, when you count them, you always notice that there are one or two notes missing.

How much does it cost traveling to Uzbekistan?

Traveling in Uzbekistan is not as cheap as in Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan but, still, it’s very affordable. Typically:

• Budget accommodation: from 8 to 12USD
• Mid-range hotels: from 30 or 40USD.
• A meal in touristic restaurants: 5USD
• A meal in local eateries: 2-3USD 
• Taxis within cities:  a maximum of 2USD
• Several-hour train journeys: a maximum of 10 or 15USD

Most restaurants charge for service , which ranges from 10 to 20%, depending on the restaurant.

🛫 How to get to Uzbekistan

Traveling to uzbekistan by plane.

Uzbekistan has the most expensive flights in all Central Asia and the reason is that the airport taxes are extremely high. Apparently, along with a more liberal visa regime, the Government is planning to reverse it in order to encourage more tourism.

If you are on a budget and have enough time, you could fly to Almaty, Bishkek or Dushanbe and then enter Uzbekistan overland . From Europe, flights there are surprisingly cheap, especially to Bishkek.

If you are traveling in Iran , there are very cheap flights from Tehran to Aktau, a city in western Kazakhstan, very close to the Uzbek border.

If you are traveling in Azerbaijan , you can even take a ferry to Aktau or fly there, which is much quicker and even cheaper.

Personally, I started with a 2-month itinerary in Kyrgyzstan , traveled in Tajikistan through the Pamir Highway and the Wakhan Valley , and entered Uzbekistan through the  Fergana Valley .

Traveling to Uzbekistan via a land border

Uzbekistan shares a border with:

• Turkmenistan
• Afghanistan – It’s important, however, to check the latest security update. Read my Afghanistan safety guide

All borders are easy to cross, as long as you have a valid visa, especially for Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.

Border crossing and other bureaucratic rules when traveling in Uzbekistan

Most borders are open to overland travelers – As long as you have the visa, you can enter or exit Uzbekistan from any country, but just bear in mind that some borders are only open to nationals, while others may close temporarily.

However, all countries will have, at least, one or two entry points always open. For the latest updated information on border policy, check the  Caravanistan website.

They will go through all your stuff – Especially laptops, phones, and cameras.

With the exponential tourism increase, the guards don’t really go through your stuff anymore. 

Don’t bring any sensitive material – By sensitive I mean porn or any politically sensitive photos, including Governmental buildings or military stuff. If you happen to have some, upload them to the cloud or hide them very well in your computer.

However, at some border crossings, it’s not as bad as people say – I heard horror stories about Uzbek customs but, when I crossed from Tajikistan to the Fergana Valley , they just checked the photos of my DSLR camera and it seemed they were more looking at my pictures for fun than looking for sensitive photos, as the official was smiling and calling some of his colleagues to check them out.

They are also looking for drugs – And especially anything containing codeine. They will definitely, go through all your meds and, apparently, even if you have prescription pills containing codeine, they won’t allow you to enter with them and you may get in real trouble.

You will have to declare all your money, both entering and exiting – When you enter, you need to fill in a form, stating how much are you traveling with. You are supposed to keep this form because, when you leave, they will compare it with how much money you have left.

If you happen to have the same amount of money or more, they will assume that you worked there, so you might get into some problems. However, this rule may not apply in some borders because I left through Kazakhstan.

Uzbekistan 10 facts: the country, its people and their culture

1 – Uzbekistan is an ex-Soviet Republic – Which got its independence in 1991, after the USSR dissolution.

2 – Most people are Uzbeks – But, as in the whole Central Asia, you also find plenty of people from their neighboring countries, including Russians, Kyrgyz, Kazakhs, and Tajiks. People in Uzbekistan are so ethnically mixed but, whereas Kyrgyz and Kazakh people have stronger Mongolian features, and Tajiks and Turkmens more of a Persian look, I would say that Uzbeks are something in between.

3 – The official language is Uzbek – Which is a Turkic language, but most people also speak Russian as a second language.

4 – Learn some Russian – They use the Cyrillic alphabet and practically nobody speaks English, except in the touristic parts. Some basic words to get around will prove immensely useful.

5 – They are Sunni Muslims but not really – Officially, most people are Sunni Muslims, the Russian population (10%) being Christian Orthodox. However, like all ex-Soviet countries, religion is not a big deal and most people don’t really follow Islam. If I had to compare it to the rest of Central Asia, I would say that religion in Uzbekistan is practiced more than in Kyrgyzstan or Kazakhstan but less than in Tajikistan.

6 – No real dress code for women – Many Uzbek women are veiled but it’s mostly for cultural reasons, rather than religious. Except in some parts of the Fergana Valley, women can go as they please, within certain common-sense limitations, of course.

7 – Is Islam partially forbidden? – The Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan is home to the most radical Islamic group in Central Asia, an organization which even operated in Afghanistan under the Taliban. The Uzbek Government has tried hard to eradicate this group and, from what I heard, it has put some limitations on the way people practice Islam. For example, during prayer time, you will never hear the mosque’s speakers. I was told that this is one of several governmental measures.

8 – It’s a dictatorship – The first President of Uzbekistan ruled from its independence, in 1991, to 2016, when he died. He ruled under an authoritarian regime and didn’t forge many good international relationships. The new President is trying to change this though, the growth of tourism being one of the many new policies.

9 – But people don’t really care about politics – Uzbeks told me that the only thing they care about is inflation and nobody is interested in politics. There is no freedom of speech and you can’t say anything bad about the president or any governmental organization. They are OK with it so, according to them, a revolution will not happen any time soon. 

10 – The cotton crisis – Uzbekistan’s main economical pillar is the cotton industry and you will see plenty of cotton fields all over the country. Being so dependant on cotton has led to several crises and problems, the most dramatic one being the destruction of the Aral Sea in Uzbekistan . In Nukus, I met the European Union delegate in Uzbekistan, who told me that, with the new President, they are strongly trying to diversify the economy. 

🍲 Food and alcohol when traveling in Uzbekistan

Plov, plov, plov – Welcome to the world capital of plov , a Central Asian dish consisting of fried rice in lamb fat, meat and different vegetables. There are many kinds of plov and it varies by region. Uzbek people find it a real delicacy and they love it so much that, in the capital Tashkent , they even have a Central Asian Plov Center, a massive building serving only plov . After more than 5 months in Central Asia, I really hated plov .

But typical Central Asian food is also available – Laghman (noodles soup), manti (dumplings), shashlik (kebab) are popular dishes which you can eat when traveling in Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan.

More good restaurant options than in neighboring countries – Since it’s more touristic, you also find a wider range of options, especially serving international cuisine. For me, that was really an edge, especially after traveling in Central Asia for such a long time.

Alcohol is widely available – Vodka, beer and everything you want!

And local wine, as well! – Uzbekistan is the largest wine producer in Central Asia and its wine is not that bad, actually!

If you are a vegetarian, you are fucked – Well, not fucked but local cuisine mostly consists of meat and sometimes it’s even hard to find chicken. However, like I said, in the touristic places there are several options and, on most menus there are vegetarian options made ad-hoc for tourists. Additionally, your best bet will be the local markets, where you can find all sorts of vegetables, as well as Korean salads.

Loads of fruit! – Most of the fruit is grown in the Fergana Valley , it’s absolutely delicious and there is a lot of variety. When I was there in October, it was grapes and melons season!

🏨 Accommodation: where to stay in Uzbekistan

Budget hostels and guest houses.

There is a wide range of budget hostels and guest houses in most cities in Uzbekistan. Most of them are very good value and the perfect place to meet other travelers alike.

Hotels in Uzbekistan

There are also endless mid-range and luxury options in all main cities in Uzbekistan.

You always pay a 2USD registration fee – At any hotel, you always pay an extra 2USD per night you stay. This is a bit annoying for budget backpackers, as 2USD can sometimes be almost 30% of a dorm-bed price.

Keep your registration payslips

All hotels will give you a registration payslip that proves that you stayed there. You are likely to be asked for all your payslips when leaving the country. Basically, they are extremely paranoid and need proof of your actual itinerary, which you will show once, when you are leaving the country. Typically, they just require a payslip for every other day or two days. This means that, if you are camping or stay at people’s places, you would need to stay in a hotel every two days, at least.

Couchsurfing is supposedly illegal

However, you can find many profiles with reviews, so locals don’t really care about it.

🛺 How to move around Uzbekistan: transportation

Traveling around uzbekistan by train.

Trains are the way to travel in Uzbekistan. Most cities are connected by train, they run very regularly and are very comfortable.

It’s recommended to book your train tickets in advance – Especially for long-distance trains. You can book them at the train station itself and always remember to bring your passport.

There are different kinds of train – There is a regular, modern train and the high-speed one. They are built by a Spanish company, so they have many similarities to the AVE and other Spanish trains. Furthermore, there is the Russian train, which is the classic old one from the Soviet Union times.

You must try the Soviet train at least once – Traveling long distance on a Russian train is an experience by itself. I took it from Samarkand, all the way west to Kazakhstan, on a 32-hour journey. You are most likely to be the only foreigner on board and everybody is super friendly with you.

Traveling around Uzbekistan by shared taxi

Also common and really cheap. Between cities, it’s common to travel in shared taxis, which cost even less than a train.

Only in Tashkent, there is metro and it was inspired by the one in Moscow or Saint Petersburg and it’s a delightful masterpiece. For more information, read: Places to visit in Tashkent .

❗ More information for traveling to Uzbekistan

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

All guides and articles for traveling in Uzbekistan destination

• Travel Guide to Fergana Valley
• Travel Guide to Moynaq
• Tashkent Travel Guide
• Tajikistan-Uzbekistan border crossing
• Uzbekistan Itinerary

Travel guides to other countries in Central Asia

• Tajikistan Travel Guide
• Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Kazakhstan
• Pakistan Travel Guide
• Afghanistan Travel Guide

39 comments

Excelente información, gracias por compartirla.Aunque mi viaje no sea centrado en trekking la información me ha servido muchísimo, sobre todo en cuanto a cruce de fronteras, distancias y donde vale la pena quedarse. Muchos saludos y buenos viajes!

Un saludo Álvaro, disfruta Uzbekistán!

An excellent, detailed post. Thanks. I’d just like to contrast your vegetarianism comment with my own experience, though, and put others at ease: I was there in 2016 and ate some of the best food I’ve had internationally (the carrot and beetroot side dishes in Bukhara were to die for!) never once needing to resort to markets or special requests from a chef for a meal. We mostly ate in budget restaurants.

Kyrgyzstan, however, was a different beast altogether in that regard.

Thanks for the clarification! Good to know that, as a vegetarian, Uzbekistan is an easier choice. And yes, Kyrgyzstan is for sure more difficult. I remember meeting other travelers who, in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, they were forced to eat meat (or food cooked with meat) because that was the only available choice besides bread & jam!

Very well written and very informative! For sure I’ll read more of your various articles on Uzbekistan. I’ll travel to Uzbekistan in 3 days and am already quite excited. You asked for feedback on the e-visa application: It took me HOURS to apply! You have to upload your photo and a photo of the data page in your passport. It took me hours to upload these 2 photos. I managed to get my photo uploaded after numerous tries but didn’t know why. The passport photo was rejected again and again and…. What finally did the trick: I changed the ending of the file from …PNG to …png. After that I got the email with the confirmation and payment link within minutes. You have to pay with a credit card and they only accept a Visa Card which I don’t have. I asked around and found a friend with a Visa Card. It is no problem to pay with the Card of someone else. Nevertheless payment didn’t work, as I found out probably because it was after working hours in Uzbekistan. I tried again the next morning, was able to complete payment at first try and got the confirmation via email within minutes. I recieved the Visa the next day, quite speedy.

Hey, thank you so much for the visa feedback! Sounds like a nightmare 😀 !

It was! Thanks to advice I found on different websites I managed, without internet research it would have been impossible for me. I entered the country yesterday. Apparently it is no longer required to declare foreign currency (as long as you travel with less than 2000$, I think, or the equivalent).

Superb, excellent, detailed and tempted post. Really felt like to travel. Regards

Hi, thanks for the wealth of tips here. I’d like to know what is involved when “they go through all your stuff” especially things like digital equipment. Do they take out batteries, turn it on, dismantle?

They just may check your photos, nothing more.

Hey, where are the better rates in black market or banks? And is it not good for solo back packers? I don’t want this trip to end up being alone all the time or surrounded by people from group tours! And when is the high season in Uzbekistan? Is August a good time to visit?

Hey, your answers: – The rate is pretty much the same but it will all depend on which bank / person. You will see when you are there – I saw some backpackers – You can go in August, but it will be very hot. Other seasons are better

Great guide inspiring me in every travel manners to Uzbekistan.

Hey Joan, thanks for putting this guide and the update regarding ATMs. I am planning to visit Uzbekistan in September, but I am afraid that the country is becoming very touristic nowadays, so not sure if I would choose Uzbekistan over other Central Asian destinations. I don’t really like crowded places filled with souvenirs shops and with the tourism booming, it seems that Uzbekistan is moving in this same direction. Thank you and keep up the great work 🙂

Hey man, whereas it is true that some parts of Uzbekistan are literally becoming mass tourism destinations, the fact is that 99% of tourists will only visit Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, which are just 3 cities in a massive country. The rest of Uzbekistan is pretty unspoiled, especially Karakalpakstan and Fergana regions, as well as other areas which I didn’t visit. Even Tashkent seems pretty local, so I recommend you spend a few days in each of those 3 cities and then go discover the rest of the country.

I am a native citizen of Uzbekistan. Was just curious to read about my own country from perpectives of foreign tourist. Marcus, If you happen to visit in Tashkent, you may let me know, I can show some interesting places over here and give you more detailed guide for your further travel. And I will do it with no other intention than as a friendly host. +99899 3686220 you can find me by whatsApp and Telegram.

Bobur, am visiting your country soon, this very 2021…. And indeed, I wish we could link up…. my email is: [email protected] my number: 00233 209096062

Hi, I am planning to travel in May. Is it a good time to come to Uzbekistan? Can you please confirm your number as I could not find it in Telegram. Hope to speak. Thanks, Sona

Hi there, thanks for info, We are traveling tomorrow to Tashkent, me and my husband Kazakhstan citizens, but our two daughters has American citizens, so in website says children under 16 yrs old don’t need a visa, so I hope it’s still works and there is no required visa!

I am just curious where you got your statistic about Uzbekistan being one of the top 20 safest countries in the world because I can’t seem to find that specific information. I am trying to convince somebody to go, so a resource and reference on that number would be helpful to me. Thank you.

Hey Danielle, I think I saw it in the Bradt Guide of Uzbekistan 🙂

Your tips are all so helpful and I love your blog!

I’m going to Uzbekistan in September. As much as I am excited about it, I’m also concerned about diseases and stuff. Did you get vaccination before you went?

Hi Jade, basically, I am vaccinated of absolutely everything, so I didn’t get any particular vaccine for Uzbekistan but in any case, I don’t really recall anyone getting a special vaccine for Central Asia

Gracias por tus consejos generales pero creo que te equivocas sobre los temas de visado. Según información recopilada en 5 Páginas web, la lista de países a los que tú dices que dan visa on arrival Son las lista de países que no necesitan ningún visado, Son países “visa exemption” en los cuales está Argentina, Brasil y Chile y luego tú dices que los viajeros de paises latinoamericanos “deben” sacar Su visado en una embajada. Es bastante confuso y contradictorio. Te sugiero que reveas la información publicada.

Hola Alberto, Brasil no es un país hispano-hablante y por ésto jamás lo incluyo en mis artículos en español. Los países de habla hispana que tienen visado gratis son Chile, Argentina y España, tal y como dice en el artículo.

Por otro lado, yo no sé dónde has leído donde digo que los latinoamericanos tengan que sacarlo en la embajada. Lo que digo es: ”lo más seguro es que NO tengas que ir por este proceso, pero si el sistema de visado electrónico no te funciona, tendrás que ir a la embajada” – El resto de países hispano-hablantes tienen que conseguir el visado vía internet, pero el sistema alguna vez de cada muchas suele fallar, por lo que en este caso, pues deberían de hacerlo vía embajada.

Bien. Lo entendi muy bien al leerlo en primera instante. Gracias hermano. Creo q’ Alberto de leerlo todo de nuevo. Un abrazo desde Ghana. Africa.

Hello. An interesting article you wrote. As a person who was born and raised in Uzbekistan, I really recommend you to visit as well more not-touristic places. For example, there are streets on Darkhan (Hamid Olimjon subway station) where you can find beautiful spots that were not touched by modern architecture and are still in the old style. So, try to find places that are not so popular among tourists. Because you will see the real country/city if, of course, that’s what you want. Because I personally am more into naturalness. September is the perfect time period to visit it here because the weather’s nice, not so hot and not so cold yet as well as Spring is a perfect time. Also, you’ll get into a season of fruits, vegetables that are so delicious. Welcome!

Hi everyone, I would like to share a piece of information which would be, I guess, interesting and beneficial for travellers wishing and planning to visit Uzbekistan. The issue I want to bring up is the problem with buying train tickets online. Because when foreigners want to buy tickets at a place they, more often than not, are sold out. Foreigners usually have trouble buying tickets online if they attempt to do this with their Visa cards due to some technical imperfections on the website . Therefore, I want to give a solution by offering the assistance of local people who will make a purchase instead of travellers. Unlike travel agencies, they do not charge much. The fee varies from 5 to 10 dollars per person, no matter how many tickets the one is going to buy. Isn’t it a solution? The only thing needed is a copy of the passport. The same can be done with airplane tickets. There is no place for hesitation about their reliability as such kind of services can be found on respectable travelling and guiding platforms. I dont know whether I can refer to any of them here. But if you need I can write more.. Any questions are welcome.

Great suggestions herein. Please put your email so that, one can reach you via inbox with some more questions

Hi! I was wondering how airtight the comments about Uzbekistan officials not being stringent on enforcing quarantine is. I have some big travel plans that require my transit through the country next month from the UK, and I just want to check to see how solid the idea that the quarantine rule isn’t enforced before I actually book my flights, as if I’m forced to quarantine I will be wasting thousands of £s.

Hi Owen, So far, there are no travel reports from travelers who were forced into quarantine. Nevertheless, you should know that in these countries, anything can happen

Great postings. However I have been trying to get e visa fo Uzbekistan for past one week, without success, even after getting the validation link the payment gateway did not accept my Visa debit card, it is really frustrating. Has anyone faced this problem?

Pandu India

HI, This a great blog. I am also going to visit Uzbekistan in june. I just wanted to ask that will it be okay if i dont stay in hotel and stay at friend’s apartment. I am pretty nervous about it. i am planning to go for nine days. if you could help me with the answer that would be great.

Uzbekistan is getting more and more touristic every day, so you should be fine 🙂

We (me and my wife and small child) are landing in Bukhara and ending in Tashkent. We have 11 days (including travel to and from UK).

We really want to visit Khiva, but we arrive in Bukhara at 12pm midday after a long overnight flight, so it would be very difficult to jump straight on a train to Khiva from Bukhara after landing.

Alteratively, we could spend two days in Bukhara on landing, then go to Khiva for a couple of days, but it would then be a very long train back to Samarkand, which would be our next stop.

Do you have any advice for us? Thanks!

Hello, it seems you don’t have any other alternative… Trains are pretty good in Uzbekistan so taking a longer one won’t be much of an issue.

I take prescribed drugs as to will be 70 and take Tramadol regularly. Alright it’s not codeine but close enough. I would not travel without it, and I noticed how Muslim countries are obsessed with drugs, even though it’s a packaged med made by drug companies. If bringing in Tramadol is an issue, even with a letter from a doctor, should I skip any plans to go there? Thanks! I don’t want issues with the immigration police or have it confiscated!

Hi Michel, this is a very hard question to answer, and I am afraid I can’t give you an accurate answer…

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• Uzbek PASSPORT VISA-FREE COUNTRIES

Uzbek passport visa-free countries

Visa free countries (24 countries), countries that offers e/visa or visa on arrival for uzbek citizens (52 countries), fast facts:.

• Total population of countries that Uzbekistan passports can go without a visa: 518,986,253 people (est 2024).
• Total area of countries/territories offering visa-free for Uzbek citizens: 24,517,398 km².
• Visa free countries by region: Central America and Caribbean (5 countries), Asia (9 countries), Europe (6 countries), Oceania (2 countries), Africa 1 country), Middle East 1 country).
• Visa free by days: 6 months (Antigua and Barbuda), 180 days (Armenia), 90 days (Azerbaijan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine), 28 days (Barbados), Indefinite stay (Belarus), 31 days (Cook Islands), 21 days (Dominica), 1 year (Georgia), 3 months (Haiti, Namibia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Turkey), 30 days (Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Micronesia, Mongolia, Philippines, Tajikistan), 60 days (Kyrgyzstan), 14 days (Oman)

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Uzbekistan Visa

General information about uzbekistan visas.

updated: June 6, 2023

Is it possible to enter Uzbekistan without a visa?

Indeed, passport holders from 90 different countries are permitted to enter Uzbekistan visa-free. The duration of stay allowed varies from 10 days up to a full year, contingent on one's nationality. Additionally, residents of the UAE, along with certain individuals aged 55 and over, are exempt from needing a visa to travel to Uzbekistan. A comprehensive list of the relevant countries is provided below .

What are the Uzbekistan visa requirements?

The process of meeting Uzbekistan visa requirements is generally quite uncomplicated. The necessary materials will vary depending on the application method you choose. Typically, you'll need your passport along with its copies, a number of passport-sized photographs, a visa support letter (especially for embassy applications), and a payment to cover the consular fee. There are three methods for obtaining a visa, each with its distinct set of requirements. More detailed information about each method can be found below:

• Embassy Visa
• Tashkent Airport Visa

What is the Uzbekistan visa fee?

The Uzbekistan visa fee varies based on several factors including the method of acquisition, the duration of stay, and the number of visits planned. The cost for an E-visa ranges from 20 to 50 USD. If you're obtaining a visa through an embassy, the fee can be anywhere from 40 to 200 USD. The fee for a visa procured at the Tashkent airport is contingent on your nationality and can range from 50 to 160 USD.

How can I obtain an Uzbekistan e-visa and check its application status?

To secure an Uzbekistan e-visa, you need to visit the official portal (https://e-visa.gov.uz/main), complete the application form with your personal details, specify your intended date of entry, and upload a scan of your passport as well as a passport-sized photograph. After submitting your information, you'll receive an email containing an activation code. This code needs to be entered back on the portal, followed by the payment of the required visa fee. Within three days, you'll either receive an email with a PDF of your electronic visa or a notification of rejection without a specified reason.

For checking the status of your e-visa application, navigate to this page (https://e-visa.gov.uz/status) and input the activation code, which you'll have received in the application confirmation email.

To enter Uzbekistan or transit through its territory, a visa is generally required. However, a visa-free entry regime applies to citizens of certain countries. In addition, citizens of 35 countries can transit Uzbekistan for up to 5 days without a visa.

Electronic visas were introduced on 15 July 2018. More information on Uzbekistan’s visa requirements and the application process are provided below .

Visa-free nationalities

Citizens of the following post-soviet countries do not need an Uzbekistan visa: with unlimited time: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine; up to 60 days Kyrgyzstan.

The citizens of the countries listed below do not need a visa for visits of up to 30 days :

* Individuals who possess a residency visa for UAE will also be granted 30-day visa-free entry, provided the resident visa is valid for at least 90 days after entering Uzbekistan.

Citizens of the below countries are granted 10-day visa-free entry to Uzbekistan if they have a ticket for international departure:

Bahrain Kuwait Oman Chinese citizens (including the citizens of Hong Kong)

Also, visa-free entry to Uzbekistan for up to 30 days is established for citizens of the following countries who have reached the age of 55 : China (as part of tourist groups) USA Vietnam

Applying for an electronic visa

Citizens of many countries can now get e-visas (single, double, or multiple entry) through the e-visa portal . After completing the application form, you will receive confirmation by email that your application has been received, and will be asked to pay the visa fee. The fee is US$20 for a single-entry visa, US$35 for double-entry, and US$50 for multiple-entry.

When your Uzbekistan e-visa is ready, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. This will provide a link to the portal from which you can download the e-visa in PDF format. You must print out a copy of this e-visa to show when checking in for your flight and when entering and leaving Uzbekistan. You must also carry a copy of the e-visa with you throughout your trip around Uzbekistan. Electronic copies of the e-visa (such as on your mobile phone) are not sufficient – you must carry a hard copy.

In the unlikely event that the e-visa is not granted, you will be notified by email. In this case, you may wish to try applying for an Uzbekistan visa at an embassy or consulate instead.

Citizens of the following countries can obtain e-visa:

More detailed information on the electronic visa to Uzbekistan is available here . 

Applying for a visa through an embassy or consulate

Applying for a tourist visa for Uzbekistan through an embassy or consulate involves two steps:

• Obtaining visa support (permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
• Obtaining a visa from an Embassy or Consulate of the Republic of Uzbekistan — or, in some cases, obtaining a visa on arrival at the airport.

Uzbekistan Visa Support / Letter of Invitation (LOI)

Visa support is a kind of permission for a tourist to apply for a visa to Uzbekistan. A travel agency licensed by the State Committee for Tourism Development must submit, on the tourist’s behalf, a letter of invitation (LOI) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan. The Ministry reviews the document within 7 working days. After this, the Ministry sends its permission by telex to the embassy or consulate at which the tourist plans to apply for the visa. Once the Ministry has granted its permission, the travel agency provides the tourist with the telex number that he or she will need to provide as a reference when applying for the visa. The Ministry has the right to refuse to issue the visa support without providing an explanation.

If you haven't found your nationality in the visa-free and e-visa lists, you will need to obtain Visa Support, a.k.a. a Letter Of Invitation (LOI) and apply for an Uzbekistan visa at the embassy.

We would be pleased to provide you with visa support at no extra cost as a part of a tour package booked with us. Please note that, to obtain the visa, you will also have to pay consular fees at the Embassy or Consulate. These fees range from US$40 to US$200, depending on your citizenship and the duration of your stay.

Obtaining the visa from an embassy or consulate

After you receive the telex number, you can apply for your visa at an embassy or consulate . You will need to provide your completed visa application form, your passport, telex number, and one passport-size photo; and pay the consular fees. You can download the official application form for an Uzbek tourist visa from: evisa.mfa.uz . This form is accepted in all embassies and consulates of Uzbekistan.

Obtaining a visa on arrival at the airport

You can get a visa on arrival at the airport in Tashkent if: •    You are a citizen of a country that does not have an embassy or consulate of the Republic of Uzbekistan and/or •    You have insufficient time to get a visa at an embassy or consulate of the Republic of Uzbekistan (if you are travelling to Uzbekistan via a country with an embassy but only spending a short time there, or if you live in a country with an embassy but your visit to Uzbekistan is within the next 2 months). If you are from a country eligible for an e-visa, we recommend that you apply for an e-visa rather than a visa on arrival. To obtain a visa on arrival, you must present your passport, return ticket, and visa fee (in cash) at the visa desk in the airport. If you are from a country that is not eligible for the e-visa, you must also present a visa support letter. You must apply for visa support in advance (see process above).

Transit visa for Uzbekistan

Passport holders of the countries listed below are permitted to transit Uzbekistan for up to 5 days without a visa. To be eligible for visa-free transit, you must arrive in and depart from Uzbekistan on Uzbekistan Airways, and present your airline ticket on arrival at the airport. If you need a transit visa (valid for 3 days/72 hours), you must apply in advance via an embassy or consulate of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In addition to the standard documents required to apply for a tourist visa, you must provide an airline or rail ticket that shows your arrival and departure dates. The processing time for a transit visa is 3 working days.

Uzbekistan Visa for Applicants under 16

Foreign citizens under the age of 16 do not need a visa to enter Uzbekistan if they: - are accompanied by a parent or guardian who has an entry visa to Uzbekistan, and - have a passport or biometric travel document.

The length of the child’s stay is limited to the period of validity of his parent or guardian’s visa (but, in any case, cannot exceed 90 days). A foreign citizen who will reach the age of 16 during his or her stay in Uzbekistan needs to obtain an exit visa at the Office of Entry, Exit and Citizenship.

Visa to other Central Asian countries:

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Entry requirements

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Uzbekistan’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Uzbekistan set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Uzbek Embassy in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Uzbekistan.  

Passport validity requirements

If you’re visiting Uzbekistan, your passport should have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months from the day you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document, or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa requirements

If you have a British citizen passport, you can enter Uzbekistan as a visitor for stays of up to 30 days without a visa.

If you’re travelling on a different type of British passport, travelling for a purpose other than tourism or business, or intend to stay longer than 30 days, you should check entry requirements with the Uzbek Embassy in the UK .

If you’re entering Uzbekistan on an Uzbek visa, check it and carefully note the date of expiry and the number of entries permitted.

Do not overstay your visa, or exceed your permitted duration of stay, even for a very short period. If you overstay, you could get a fine and possibly be deported. It is not always easy or possible to extend your stay or visa if you want to stay in the country for longer than planned. If you’re travelling overland, make sure you arrive at your intended border crossing in good time before your period of stay or visa expires.

For more information on visas, contact the Uzbek Embassy in the UK .

Make sure you get your passport stamped.   

Border guards check the stamp on exit to ensure that travellers do not exceed the 30-day period.

Registering with the authorities

You must register with the local district OVIR (Department of Foreign Travel and Exit) within 3 days of your arrival. Saturdays and Sundays count as part of the 3-day period. If you’re staying in a hotel, you’ll be asked for your passport at check-in. Hotel staff will complete the registration paperwork and return your passport. If you do not register within 3 days of arrival in the country, you get fined for each day you are late.

If you’re staying in a private house, your host should register you directly with their local district OVIR or on the electronic registration system, Emehmon . If you travel to another city and plan to stay for longer than 3 days, you’ll need to register again. You must follow this procedure, as a full record of where you’ve been in Uzbekistan is required upon departure. If you are unable to account for your whereabouts, you could get a fined for each day you are late and possibly be deported.

Travelling through Uzbekistan

If you’re travelling through Uzbekistan in a recreational vehicle or staying in tents and camping, you must register yourself. Register online through the electronic registration system, Emehmon , within 3 days of arrival. When you’re registering online, you’ll have to pay a tourist tax charge for each day of your stay. At the moment you can only pay the tourist tax online with an Uzbek debit card in local currency – seek assistance from hotels or local tour operators.  

Uzbek-British dual nationality

Uzbekistan does not recognise dual nationality. If you enter Uzbekistan on an Uzbek passport and are also a British national, the British Embassy can only provide very limited consular assistance. If you’re arrested or detained, consular access is unlikely to be granted.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Uzbekistan guide .

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Uzbekistan (in Uzbek, Russian and English). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty, including large amounts of money and jewellery. Precious metals and gemstones, in quantities over 65 grams, must be declared.

You must fill in 2 copies of the customs declaration, and make sure customs officials sign and stamp both copies. You will need to show one copy at customs as you enter Uzbekistan and the other when you leave the country. If you have currency or valuables you did not declare, there is a risk that officials may confiscate them.

Taking money into and out of Uzbekistan

You’ll need to complete a foreign currency declaration form when you arrive and keep a copy.

There is a separate form for visitors carrying significant amounts of money: the threshold is 10,000 US dollars. Visitors cannot take more than 10,000 US dollars out of the country. The forms are available in the arrivals area of the airport.

You cannot leave Uzbekistan with more foreign currency than you brought with you.

Bring enough cash for your entire stay. Credit cards are not widely accepted outside Tashkent and the main tourist areas of Samarkand and Bukhara. Travellers cheques are not normally accepted. There are very few ATMs outside of the main cities. US dollars are the most widely accepted foreign currency.

Only change money through official exchange booths. It is illegal to change money on the black market, and there are harsh penalties. Official exchange booths will not accept damaged or marked bank notes.

Before you travel to Uzbekistan with prescription or non- prescription medicines, you should check the State Customs Committee of Uzbekistan’s list of prohibited medicines and the amount of medication you’re allowed to import (in Uzbek and Russian).

You should carry a doctor’s prescription if you travel with prescription medicines and declare them on your customs declaration form. Some non-prescription medicines in the UK cause problems on entry into Uzbekistan, including codeine. Possession can lead to civil or criminal proceedings if you do not have a prescription, or if you’re carrying more than you need for the visit and do not declare them on arrival. Issues have most frequently been reported at land borders.

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VISA-FREE COUNTRIES FOR UZBEKISTAN

Every state has a visa policy, and in that policy, you can find all the rules that govern the movement between the citizens of other countries to that particular state. Uzbekistan is no different - its visa policy is similar to the rest of the world.

But just like other states, Uzbekistan also has a list of visa-exempt countries, which are free to enter Uzbekistan with no other document required but a passport. As for the rest of the countries, there's nothing left but to apply for a visa. But the good news for them is that now you can apply online for this visa .

If you want to learn more about the process to get the e-Visa, then keep reading this article.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which countries are visa-exempt to enter uzbekistan.

One thing that all visa policies include is a list of visa-exempt countries. Uzbekistan has one too. As a result, the citizens of certain countries are allowed to enter Uzbekistan without a visa. All they need is a passport . Of course, the period which they can spend in Uzbekistan differs depending on their nationality. That is why there are three categories of visa-free countries for Uzbekistan: 30-days stay, 60 days, and the 90-day stay . They are as follows:

90 days – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine

60 days – only Kyrgyzstan

30 days – Israel, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Tajikistan, and Turkey.

What about the citizens of other countries?

Unfortunately, the list is limited for now, but there is good news as well. As of July 2018, Uzbekistan decided to adopt the electronic visa system. Again, the list of eligible nationalities is limited to about 60 countries, but it is still better than nothing. As a result, the people who qualify can apply online for an Uzbekistan visa instead of going to an embassy.

If you are not from one of the visa-free countries for Uzbekistan and you qualify for an electronic visa, you will have the easiest time applying. You can use the services rendered by iVisa . The entire process is online , and you only need a few things to help iVisa get started.

How can I check if I can apply for this e-Visa?

Simply by using our visa checker . Just write your nationality in the drop-down menu and you'll be able to check immediately if you can have an e-Visa to enter Uzbekistan. Don't forget to put Uzbekistan as the country you're traveling to.

What are the requirements?

In case you're one of the lucky countries that can apply for an electronic visa, then you won't need too many requirements with iVisa. Here is what you need:

Passport – every applicant needs to have a passport. Moreover, the passport needs to hold its validity for at least another 6 months from the date of arrival in Uzbekistan. Take a quick look at your passport’s expiry date before you apply .

Digital scan of your passport – iVisa will ask you to upload a scan of your passport during the application process. The format should be JPEG.

Digital passport photo – a photo of you must be linked to your e-visa, which is why you need to have one taken. The picture must be as recent as possible.

E-mail address – iVisa will send you your visa via e-mail, so make sure you have a valid e-mail address. Do not forget to print out the document you receive. We recommend that you print several copies so that you have spare ones.

Means of payment – when you fill in the application form , you will be required to make the payment for both the visa itself and the service fee for iVisa. You can use a credit/debit card, PayPal, Alipay, or WeChat.

What should I do if I'm not able to apply online for this visa?

If you do not qualify for an Uzbekistan e-visa , your only option is the consular visa. You can also get a visa on arrival at the Tashkent International Airport, but even that entails a visit to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs . You need to get a visa confirmation. Other than that, if you are lucky enough to be eligible for an electronic visa, you will see just how accessible it is. Not to mention that you can get your document in as little as 8 days .

What is the price of the e-Visa to Uzbekistan?

Once you're ready to apply for an Uzbekistan e-Visa , you'll be able to choose between any of these three options that iVisa has for your visa:

Standard processing – With this option, your visa application is done in only 15 days as long as you pay USD $62.49 . Consider that the price includes the fees and the visa cost.

Rush processing – If you choose this option you can get your visa even quicker, in 10 days , but for that, you have to pay USD $63.49 .

Super Rush processing – This is the last and faster option. You can get your visa application in 8 days . As you might guess, it is the most expensive. It costs you USD USD $79.49 (services fee included).

How do I apply for an Uzbekistan e-Visa with iVisa?

With iVisa you can be sure that you'll be doing a safe and guaranteed process. you'll just have to complete the following steps:

As a first step, fill in your basic information and choose the processing time.

As a second step, review the first step and proceed to the payment.

Where do I find more useful info about Uzbekistan?

In case you still have some doubts and questions about Uzbekistan e-Visa, then you can enter here and read more about this country. You can also contact us in case you still have some specific doubts.

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