Uzbekistan Visa Requirements - Who and How to apply

Uzbekistan is if you want to satisfy your curiosity about architectural, ancient, and cultural heritages. Do you know Uzbekistan? It is a magical and beautiful country with the oldest bazaar in Central Asia – the Chorsu bazaar. The country with the first subway in Central Asia – the Tashkent Subway. All subway stations in Uzbekistan are works of art. With an Uzbekistan Visa, there is so much to see and experience.

Uzbekistan is a fascinating country with incredible tilework used to decorate the madrassas, mosques, and busy markets and bazaars. Unfortunately, the country only gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and still retains the communist leadership style.

You need an Uzbekistan Visa to experience this ancient and historical country. However, you must first determine if you are eligible for the visa. This article, tagged Uzbekistan Visa Requirements – Who and How to apply, will discuss the different types of Uzbek Visas and the requirements for application.

About Uzbekistan Visa Policy

Uzbekistan grants visas to citizens of most countries. The Uzbek Tourist Visa can be procured electronically (eVisa) or by visiting an Uzbekistan embassy abroad. The Uzbek Transit Visa allows foreign nationals who will pass through Uzbekistan on their way to a third country to stay for about three days before their onward journey. However, not all countries must obtain a transit visa. There are certain countries whose citizens can enter Uzbekistan visa-free, but only for a short period. They must obtain a visa to Uzbekistan if they intend to stay longer.

Uzbekistan grants visas based on the applicant’s nationality, the reason for the travel, and the trip duration.

Pathways to obtaining an Uzbekistan Visa

There are two ways to obtain an Uzbekistan Visa:

Through an online application system (eVisa)

This online application method is fast and easy. It requires you to start and finish the application at the Uzbek online portal and from the comfort of your home. You can complete the process within hours and obtain the eVisa within three days once you submit the necessary Uzbekistan Visa requirements.

At an Uzbekistan Embassy or consulate abroad

This requires visiting an Uzbek embassy or consulate in the applicant’s home country. Sometimes the applicant must visit the embassy in person, submit the Uzbekistan visa requirements, and complete the application. This visa application method is for applicants who are not eligible for the eVisa.

Who is eligible for an Uzbekistan Electronic Visa?

Citizens of about 50 countries can apply for an Uzbek eVisa.

Albania
Algeria
Angola
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Bolivia
Cabo Verde
Cambodia
Cameroon
China
Colombia
Côte d’Ivoire
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Fiji
Gabon
Ghana
Guyana
India
Iran
Jordan
Kuwait
Laos
Lebanon
Maldives
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
Morocco
Nauru
Nepal
North Korea
North Macedonia
Oman
Palau
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Qatar
Samoa
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Seychelles
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Thailand
Tonga
Tunisia
United States
Uruguay
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam

Who is exempt from an Uzbekistan Visa?

Citizens of certain countries can enter Uzbekistan for specific days without a visa.

Visa-free entry into Uzbekistan for a stay of up to 90 days:

Armenia
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Georgia
Kazakhstan
Moldova
Russia
Ukraine

Entry into Uzbekistan for a stay up to 30 days without a visa:

EU Member States
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
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
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
San Marino
Serbia
Singapore
South Korea
Switzerland
Tajikistan
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Vatican

Note: Kyrgyzstan citizens can stay for 60 days without a visa in Uzbekistan.

Citizens of China and Hong Kong can stay for up to 7 days in Uzbekistan if arriving by air.

Citizens of the countries listed above, who wish to stay longer than the specified visa-free period, must obtain a visa to Uzbekistan.

Foreign nationals whose countries are not listed above must apply for an Uzbekistan Visa at the embassy abroad.

Requirements for an Uzbekistan Electronic Visa

The Uzbekistan eVisa takes about three days to process. Here are the requirements you must submit:

1. A scanned copy of your passport’s data page

2. A scanned copy of your recent photograph taken against a white background in JPEG format.

3. An online eVisa application form. You will input certain information like your name, nationality, the dates you plan to travel, e.t.c.

4. Payment of your visa fees. The Uzbekistan eVisa costs $20. You can pay this fee with your debit or credit card.

Requirements for an Uzbekistan Transit Visa

A visa confirmation is unnecessary for citizens who must obtain a transit visa to pass through Uzbekistan to a third country. The Uzbek transit visa is valid for 72 hours or even less. Here are the requirements:

1. Your valid passport

2. One passport-size photo

3. Proof of a second destination, e.g., a travel ticket or a visa to the next country

Requirements for the Uzbekistan Consular Visa

Before you apply for a visa, you must have a sponsor who will help you get a visa confirmation in Uzbekistan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This confirmation is the most important of your Uzbekistan Visa requirements. Without it, you cannot apply for an Uzbek Visa. Your sponsor can be a travel agency, organization, or person inviting you to Uzbekistan. For your sponsor to obtain a visa confirmation, you must supply the following:

1. A Uzbekistan Visa Application Form. You can get this on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If an organization is inviting you, the form must be printed on the letterhead of your sponsor.

2. A copy of your passport

3. An electronic visa form.

4. A copy of your airline ticket

5. A copy of your sponsor’s passport (If the sponsor is an individual)

5(I). Proof of your relationship with the sponsor

6. A copy of the passport of the contact person in the organization who is applying on your behalf (If the sponsor is an organization)

6(i). The license and certificate of the company

6(ii). A copy of the designated person’s authorization to make decisions on your behalf (Power of Attorney)

6(iii). Your Proof of Employment

How to apply for an Uzbekistan Visa

When the Uzbekistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued the visa confirmation, you must visit the Uzbek embassy or consulate nearest to you and submit the following:

Your valid passport
Two passport-size photos of you
Two completed Uzbekistan Visa Application Forms

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the processing fee for an Uzbek Visa?

Uzbek Visa fees vary according to the number of entries and duration of stay.

Electronic Visa fee – $20
Single-entry visa fee (7 days) – $40
Single-entry visa fee (15 days) – $50
Single-entry visa fee (30 days) – $60
Single-entry visa fee (90 days) – $80
Single-entry visa fee (180 days) – $120
Single-entry visa fee (1 year) – $160
Multiple-entry visa fee (180 days) – $150
Multiple-entry visa fee (1 year) – $250
Single-entry transit visa fee (72 hours) – $40
Double-entry transit visa fee – $50

What is the processing time for an Uzbekistan Visa?

After submitting your Uzbekistan Visa requirements online, the processing time for the Uzbekistan eVisa is about three days. You will receive your eVisa within three days after completing your online application. Once received through the mail, you must print it out and take it with you when you travel.

For the consular visa, once your sponsor applies for your visa confirmation, it takes about ten business days for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to process it. Therefore, you will apply to the embassy for your visa as soon as the confirmation is ready. This process will depend on the embassy you are applying from. However, it should not be more than ten business days. Overall, you should apply for an Uzbekistan Embassy Visa at least one month before your intended travel date.

Can I get a Visa on Arrival (VoA) in Uzbekistan?

Yes, you can. Visa on Arrival is solely for applicants whose country does not have an Uzbekistan embassy or representative. However, you must get a confirmation letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Therefore, before you travel, ensure that your sponsor has received confirmation from the Uzbek MFA that you will receive a VoA once you enter the country.

What is the duration of an Uzbekistan Visa?

Uzbekistan Visas can be valid for as little as five days and as long as one year. It depends on the visa type and the duration of your stay. For example, a tourist visa to Uzbekistan allows you to stay there for as long as 30 days. A single-entry visa can give you between seven to 180 days, while a multiple-entry visa can give you six months to one year.

Can I extend an Uzbekistan Visa?

If you must extend your Uzbek Visa, you must write a letter to the Uzbekistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting an extension and explaining why you need the visa extension.

Here’s all you need to know about the Uzbekistan Electronic Visa

Conclusion

Visiting Uzbekistan should be on your bucket list, especially if you are a lover of art and culture. Among the cities that will strike a chord within you are Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara – so rich in culture and beautifully laid out. Additionally, Uzbekistan is a very safe country, and the locals are friendly and eager to meet you. Now that you know the Uzbekistan Visa requirements, it’s time to meet Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan Visa Requirements – Who and How to apply