General Requirements
INFORMATION ON ENTRY TO UZBEKISTAN, STAY AND DEPARTURE FROM UZBEKISTAN OF FOREIGN CITIZENS AND STATELESS PERSONS
1. A VISA-FREE REGIME.
A visa-free regime for a period of 30 days is valid for citizens of 90 countries (see list of countries).
The visa-free regime applies to all citizens of these countries regardless of their passport category (civil, foreign, diplomatic, service, EU citizen passport, etc., recognized in these countries as a passport-level travel document), planning to visit Uzbekistan for up to 30 days regardless of trip purpose.
The visa-free regime does not apply to stateless persons permanently residing in the territories of these countries.
The 30-day visa-free regime starts from the day of crossing the state border of Uzbekistan and as it expires, i.e. 30 days, a foreign citizen must leave Uzbekistan. Exceeding the 30-day visa free period of stay is a violation of the rules of stay of foreign citizens in Uzbekistan and entails administrative liability.
Based on bilateral international agreements and parity, a bilateral visa-free regime has been established with the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the Kyrgyz Republic (up to 60 days) and the Republic of Tajikistan (up to 30 days ).
The visa-free regime applies to citizens of the above countries, holders of all categories of passports (diplomatic, official and civil), planning to visit the Republic of Uzbekistan, regardless of the purpose of their trip. To enter the country, a person must have a valid national passport or other substitute document used when traveling to foreign countries, the validity of which must be at least 6 months before entering the republic.
The visa-free regime does not apply to stateless persons permanently residing in the territories of these countries.
The 30-day and 60-day visa-free regime begins to operate from the moment of crossing the state border of the Republic of Uzbekistan and as it expires, a foreign citizen must leave the republic.
If it is necessary to stay in the Republic of Uzbekistan for more than 30 or 60 days, a foreign citizen must submit the necessary documents for obtaining one of the categories of entry visas of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
For citizens of Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and China a 10-day visa-free regime is established if they have an air ticket to their own or a third country.
For citizens of China (as part of tourist groups), the United States and Vietnam who have reached the age of 55, a visa-free regime has been established for entering the Republic of Uzbekistan for tourism purposes for a period not exceeding 30 days.
With Hungary, China, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan (up to 30 days), Vietnam, India and the Republic of Korea (up to 60 days), Brazil, Egypt, Kuwait, Latvia, UAE, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Turkey, Estonia, and Japan (up to 90 days) established a visa-free regime for holders of diplomatic passports. Citizens of these countries (except India), who hold diplomatic passports and are accredited as employees of diplomatic missions or consular offices of their countries located on the territory of Uzbekistan, as well as members of their families, have the right to enter and stay without visas for the entire period of work.
Uzbekistan and Japan issue visas on a reciprocal basis without charging consular fees.
Starting January 1, 2020, a visa-free regime for entering Uzbekistan up to 30 days introduced for citizens of foreign countries who have resident status of the United Arab Emirates (foreign citizens must submit the UAE original resident visa, the validity of which is at least 90 days at the time of entry to Uzbekistan).
In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated December 24, 2019 # UP-5896, starting January 1, 2020, a 30 days visa-free regime is introduced for citizens of foreign states - holders of the United Nations Biometric Red Laissez-Passer. Duration of stay - 30 days from the date of entry into Uzbekistan.
Holders of the Red UNLP traveling to Uzbekistan should also have a National (Civilian) Passport, which is valid not less than the validity period of the UNLP.
2. VISA-FREE REGIME FOR FOREIGN CITIZENS UNDER 16.
Foreign citizens, who are under 16 are eligible for a visa - free regime. They should provide an international passport or a biometric travel document and have to be accompanied by their legal guardians. They may enter and stay in Uzbekistan for the validity period of the entry visa of the accompanying person, but no longer than 90 days from the date of entry into Uzbekistan. In case if foreign citizen reaches the age of 16 during 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.
3. FREE-VISA PROCEDURE FOR TRANSIT PASSENGERS.
А 5-day visa-free transit regime is applicable at the international airports of Uzbekistan for citizens of 48 countries (see list of countries, attachement 2). Passengers need to provide an air ticket to the country they are travelling next (the flight must be within 5 days of arrival) and the carrier should inform the border authorities of Uzbekistan on passengers who are eligible for transit visa-free.
ATTENTION: As the evidence from practice shows that, exclusive of Uzbekistan Airways, not all airlines inform in advance the border authorities of Uzbekistan on transit passengers without visa. As a result, these passengers are deported or forced to redeem the air ticket on a different route. In order to avoid this kind of troubles, foreign citizens, who are eligible for transit visa-free, are strongly advised to check with the air carrier in advance about the availability of a service for timely informing the border authorities of Uzbekistan on transit passengers without visa. In the absence of such a service, foreign citizens are recommend to obtain E-visa or apply to the consular offices of Uzbekistan abroad.
4. AN ELECTRONIC VISA (www.e-visa.gov.uz). Citizens of 57 countries (see list of countries, attachement 1), whose citizens can apply for an E-entry visa.
PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING AN E-VISA (E-VISA):
- E-visa for entry and stay in Uzbekistan is issued to a foreign citizen through the e-visa.gov.uz;
- E-visa is issued to a foreign citizen for a period of stay in Uzbekistan up to 30 days with a single entry (2 entries and multiple entry visas are issued from March 15, 2019);
- the issued E-visa is valid for 90 days from the date of its issue. If the period of validity of
E-visa at the time of entry of a foreign citizen into Uzbekistan is less than 30 days, the period of stay of a foreign citizen in Uzbekistan should not exceed the period of the validity of E-visa;
- the application of an electronic visa is considered within two business days, excluding the day of filing the application;
- the issued electronic visa shall be sent to the e-mail of the foreign citizen;
- payment for E-visa is carried out online through international payment systems. In case of refusal to issue E-visa the amount of the visa fee is not refunded;
- E-visa is not placed in passport. Foreign citizen should present E-visa in the printed form when passing the checkpoint of the passport control across the border.
Note that E-visa is issued exclusively to citizens of foreign countries and not to stateless persons permanently residing in these countries.
E-visa consular fees with a validity period of 30 days:
- single entry E-visa with a consular fee of 20 US dollars;
- multiple entry E-visa with a consular fee of 50 US dollars.
5. CITIZENS OF 111 COUNTRIES (see list of 111 countries) are eligible to obtain a residence permit in Uzbekistan subject to the acquisition of real estate in:
- Tashkent region and Tashkent city - at least 400,000 US dollars*;
- Samarkand, Bukhara, Namangan, Andijan, Fergana and Khorezm regions - at least 200,000 US dollars*;
- the Republic of Karakalpakstan and other regions of the Uzbekistan - at least
100,000 US dollars*.
* Depending on the exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, the amount may change.
6. DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL VISAS. VISAS FOR CITIZENS OF OTHER COUNTRIES NOT INCLUDED IN THE LISTS SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPHS 1-5.
Holders of diplomatic/official passports and UN passports (UNLP), as well as citizens of other countries not included in the above mentioned paragraphs 1-5, can visit Uzbekistan with the visa issued by diplomatic representative offices or consular offices of Uzbekistan abroad on the basis of visa support (confirmation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan).
Visa support is issued on the basis of the application of the inviting organization, company and persons permanently or temporarily residing in Uzbekistan and submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
LIST OF DOCUMENTS FOR OBTAINING VISAS in diplomatic missions and consular offices of Uzbekistan abroad on the basis of a telex - confirmation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan:
- completed and signed visa application form (filled out on the website: evisa.mfa.uz );
- the original passport (passport must be in good condition, not torn or damaged and has at least ONE blank page to affix visa);
- visa fee (will be paid via bank transfer).
- prepaid-return envelope (if sent by courier mail).
Holders of the diplomatic passports, as well as UN passports (UNLP) are exempt from consular and other fees.
7. INVESTMENT VISA.
Starting from March 1, 2019, a special Investment visa is introduced in Uzbekistan for founders (participants) of enterprises with foreign investments and members of their families for a period of three years with the possibility of extending its term, without leaving Uzbekistan.
Citizens of foreign countries, including the founders (participants) of enterprises with foreign investments, who have invested in organizing enterprises producing goods and providing services in the amount of at least 3 million US dollars in Uzbekistan, can obtain a simplified Residence Permit in Uzbekistan for a period of 10 years.
Foreign investors holding a Residence Permit in Uzbekistan or an “Investment visa”, as well as members of their families, are eligible to use medical and educational services under the conditions stipulated for citizens of Uzbekistan.
8. BUSINESS VISA.
The list of documents to obtain of business visas for foreign citizens:
- a copy of the invitation issued on the letterhead of the inviting party in Uzbekistan;
- completed and signed visa application form. (filled in on the website: evisa.mfa.uz );
- the original passport (passport must be in good condition, not torn or damaged and has at least ONE blank page to affix visa);
- visa fee (will be paid via bank transfer).
- prepaid-return envelope (if sent by courier mail).
An inviting person in Uzbekistan submits an application to the local branch of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan where an invitation is issued for subsequent presentation by the inviting person to the Consular and Legal Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan. Based on this invitation the Consular and Legal Department sends a telex to the Consulate-General of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Bangkok.
The inviting person informs the foreign citizen about the telex number and on the basis of this approval number the foreign citizen submits the following documents to the Consulate-General to obtain guest visa.
The list of documents for registration of business visas for foreign citizens:
- completed and signed visa application form (filled in on the website: evisa.mfa.uz, when filling the application it is obligatory to attach a copy of the passport and a photo of the person);
- the original passport (passport must be in good condition, not torn or damaged and has at least ONE blank page to affix visa);
- visa fee (will be paid via bank transfer).
- prepaid-return envelope (if sent by courier mail).
A foreign citizen submits the following documents to the Consulate-General to obtain a transit visa:
- completed and signed visa application form (filled in on the website: evisa.mfa.uz, when filling the application it is obligatory to attach a copy of the passport and a photo of the person);
- a copy of the ticket with confirmed dates of entry and exit from Uzbekistan;
- a copy of the entry visa to the country of destination;
- visa fee (will be paid via bank transfer).
- prepaid-return envelope (if sent by courier mail).
11. THE ISSUE OF NEW CATEGORIES (NON-ELECTRONIC, STICKY) OF VISAS FOR CERTAIN GROUPS OF FOREIGNERS VISITING UZBEKISTAN IS BEING CONSIDERED: “VATANDOSH”; “STUDENT VISA” “ACADEMIC VISA”; "MEDICAL VISA"; PILIGRIM VISA”:
"VATANDOSH" - a 2-year visa for natives of Uzbekistan and members of their families, if there are invitations from their relatives permanently residing in Uzbekistan;
“STUDENT VISA” - a one-year visa is issued to for foreign students enrolled in educational institutions of Uzbekistan at the request of educational institutions, ministries, departments and organizations of Uzbekistan;
“ACADEMIC VISA” - a visa for a period from 3 months to 2 years is issued for foreign persons wishing to conduct research and teaching activities in Uzbekistan at the request of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, research organizations, higher educational institutions of Uzbekistan, ministries or departments;
“MEDICAL VISA” - a visa for up to 3 months is issued for foreign citizens visiting Uzbekistan for treatment at the invitation of a medical institution;
“PILIGRIM VISA” is issued for up to 2 months for foreign citizens at the request of tourist company and the Committee on Religious Affairs under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan to study the cultural, historical and religious and spiritual heritage, traditions of Uzbekistan.
12. PROCEDURE FOR REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN CITIZENS STAYING IN UZBEKISTAN.
All foreign citizens (including citizens of countries visiting Uzbekistan at the visa-free regime and the E-visas) are required to register at the area office of the Ministry of Interior of Uzbekistan or accommodation facilities and hospitals upon arrival at a temporary stay.
National passport is presented for registration on arrival at the destination within three days, excluding holidays and weekends.
From July 15, 2018, remote registration of foreign citizens and stateless persons is introduced in Uzbekistan through the “Emehmon” system (www.emehmon.uz).
Foreign tourists are free to move around the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with the exception of localities, objects that are closed to foreign citizens.
Violation of the rules of stay in Uzbekistan leads to liability under the laws of Uzbekistan.
13.THE PROCEDURE OF SENDING DOCUMENTS BY MAIL.
In the case of sending documents by mail, you must send a prepaid-return envelope, shipping label pasted on it (Shipping Label is a self-adhesive thermal label for marking transport units of delivery, printed for each transport unit. The label may contain information about the type shipment units, data on the Recipient - last name, first name, address, telephone number of the recipient, order number, sorting zone number, unique transport unit number with ssn bar code). Herewith, we strongly recommend using the services of USPS.
At the same time, we remind you that in accordance with the requirements of some postal services, the Shipping Label validity period cannot exceed 3 months. In this regard, to be noted that the period for consideration of certain documents by the Consulate-General (requesting documents, issuing passports, etc.) may exceed 3 months. In these cases, we recommend you to coordinate the shipment procedure with the postal service and the Consulate-General.
The Consulate-General is not responsible for the loss of documents sent by mail.
The Consulate-General’s address: 83/4, Soi Vithayu 1, Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan District, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
14. IMPORTANT NOTES:
Citizens of Uzbekistan and their children (who obtained a passport of a foreign state and who not rejected the Uzbek citizenship on the basis of a Presidential Decree) are not eligible visit Uzbekistan on the basis of a foreign passport. They must visit Uzbekistan on a valid biometric or non-biometric passport or on the basis of the Certificate for Return to Uzbekistan issued by the Consulate-General of Uzbekistan in Bangkok, if the passport has expired. If the passport expires in less than 6 months, the citizens of Uzbekistan can visit Uzbekistan on the basis of this expired passport if they use the services of Uzbekistan Airways;
A foreign citizen and a stateless person may be refused entry into Uzbekistan if in accordance to the established procedure he is denied entry to Uzbekistan.
Issuing a visa may be refused if in accordance to the established procedure he is denied entry to Uzbekistan.
15. A VISA APPLICATION FORM TO OBTAIN A VISA AT THE CONSULATE-GENERAL (NOT ELECTRONIC, STICKY VISA GLUED ON THE PASSPORT OF A FOREIGN CITIZEN).
To obtain a sticky visa (not electronic) at the Consulate-General a foreign citizen has to fill out a visa application form on the following website - evisa.mfa.uz