Uzbekistan requires most visitors to obtain a visa before entering the country unless they come from one of the visa-exempt nations or are eligible for an e-Visa. Uzbekistan has streamlined its visa process in recent years, with several visa-free agreements and an electronic visa (e-Visa) system available for many travelers.
Visa Exemption
Citizens of several countries can enter Uzbekistan without a visa for varying durations, with different categories of visa-free access:
Unlimited Period (Visa-Free)
Nationals of the following countries can enter Uzbekistan without a visa for an unlimited period:
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Georgia
- Kazakhstan
- Moldova
- Russia
- Ukraine
60 Days Visa-Free
Citizens of Kyrgyzstan can enter Uzbekistan for up to 60 days without a visa.
30 Days Visa-Free
Citizens of the following countries are visa-exempt for stays of up to 30 days:
- European Union (All member states)
- Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador
- Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway
- Panama, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago
- Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City
10 Days Visa-Free
The following countries have 10 days visa-free access to Uzbekistan:
- Bahrain
- China
- Hong Kong
- Kuwait
- Macao
- Oman
Visa on Arrival
Uzbekistan offers visa on arrival for certain travelers who hold a Visa Confirmation issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The visa is issued at Tashkent International Airport, valid for the duration as specified on the Visa Confirmation.
Electronic Visa (e-Visa)
Uzbekistan introduced an e-Visa system in July 2018. The e-Visa is valid for up to 30 days and can be used for single or multiple entries. Applications must be submitted at least three days before arrival, and the e-Visa costs 20 USD.
Citizens of the following countries are eligible for the e-Visa:
- Albania, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bolivia, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guyana
- India, Iran, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Morocco, Nauru, Nepal, North Korea, North Macedonia, Palau, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines
- Samoa, Senegal, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Thailand, Tonga, Tunisia, United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam
Visa-Free Transit
Uzbekistan offers visa-free transit for up to 5 days at international airports for nationals of specific countries, provided they are continuing their journey on a flight operated by Uzbekistan Airways.
Eligible countries for visa-free transit include:
- Albania, Algeria, Bhutan, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Gabon, Guyana, India, Lebanon, Maldives, Mauritius, Morocco, Nauru, North Macedonia, Palau, Peru, Philippines, Seychelles, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, United States, Uruguay, Vietnam, Venezuela
Reform Initiatives
Uzbekistan has undertaken significant reforms to its visa policy:
- In 2019, Uzbekistan removed visa requirements for citizens of Germany, EU countries, Argentina, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Vatican.
- Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are considering a joint visa program to boost tourism, with plans for mutual acceptance of visas between the two countries.
- Visa-free access for citizens of Saudi Arabia was introduced in 2023 for 30 days, and agreements have been signed with several countries, such as Oman and Serbia, for the exemption of diplomatic and service passport holders.
Special Visa-Free Regimes
Diplomatic and Service Passports
Uzbekistan grants visa-free access to holders of diplomatic or service passports from the following countries:
- Brazil, China, Estonia, Hungary, India, Kuwait, Poland, South Korea, Tajikistan, Turkey, UAE, Vietnam
- Latvia, Romania, Slovakia (for both diplomatic and service passports)
Residents of Turkmenistan
Residents of Dashoguz Velayat and Lebap Velayat in Turkmenistan are allowed visa-free access to specific regions in Uzbekistan for up to 3 days per month.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Who can visit Uzbekistan visa-free? Nationals from Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and several other CIS countries can visit Uzbekistan visa-free. Citizens from EU countries, the US, and many others can stay visa-free for up to 30 days.
- How can I apply for an e-Visa? Travelers can apply for an e-Visa through Uzbekistan’s official visa portal. The e-Visa allows a stay of up to 30 days and must be applied for at least three days before arrival.
- Is there a visa on arrival option? Yes, travelers holding a Visa Confirmation from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs can obtain a visa on arrival at Tashkent International Airport.
- What documents are required for the e-Visa? To apply for an e-Visa, you’ll need a valid passport, a digital passport photo, and the e-Visa application fee.
- Can I transit through Uzbekistan without a visa? Yes, travelers from select countries can transit through Uzbekistan for up to 5 days without a visa, as long as they are flying on Uzbekistan Airways.