Uzbekistan Travel Guide

Uzbekistan — Passport and Visa Information

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Passports

Country	Passport Required	Visa Required	Return Ticket Required
Other EU	Yes	Yes	Yes
USA	Yes	Yes/1	Yes
Canadian	Yes	Yes	Yes
Australian	Yes	Yes	Yes
British	Yes	Yes	Yes

Passport valid for entire duration of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above. One blank page is needed for the visa.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above including transit visas.

Visa Note

(a) Tourists (other than nationals of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and USA, who also do not need to submit letters of invitation as part of their visa application requirement) will normally have their visa application completed by their travel agent. (b) A personal interview may be required before a visa can be issued. (c) Visitors staying longer than three days must register with the Ministry of Internal Affairs within three working days. However, most hotels will automatically do this on behalf of the visitor. (d) Before applying by post, applicants should first contact the consular section of the embassy (except for nationals of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and USA). (e) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Important Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist and Business. Single-entry: £43 (seven days); £50 (15 days); £57 (30 days); £71 (three months); £100 (six months); £129(one year). Multiple-entry: 357(one month); £121 (six months); £193 (one year). Group: £11 per person plus service charge (15 days); £18 per person plus service charge (30 days). Transit: £21 (24 hours); £25 (48 hours); £29 (72 hours); £36 (double-entry).
Note: (a) 1. For USA citizens: fee for all types of visas $100, fee for urgent visa $150.

Validity

Tourist visas are normally single-entry/exit and are valid for the duration of the tour. Business visas are multiple-entry, valid for six months in the first instance and extendable. Nationals of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK can obtain a multiple-entry visa for tourist/business stays of up to one month; nationals of the USA can obtain such visas for stays of up to four years. Visas should be used within one month of date of issue.

Applications to:

Uzbek embassies where they exist.

Working Days Required

10, although only two days are required for some nationalities.

Travel Warnings

Most visits are trouble-free.

It is advised against all but essential travel to areas bordering Afghanistan, Tajikstan and Kyrgyzstan other than via authorized crossing points. Uzbekistan's borders are potential flashpoints and there is a risk that uncontrolled border areas may be land-mined.

It is very important that you follow the proper registration and visa procedures, since a full record of your whereabouts while in Uzbekistan is required upon departure. Visitors who are unable to account for their whereabouts could be fined and possibly deported.

The political situation is stable as of March 2010. In the weeks approaching the elections scheduled for December 2007, travelers should should monitor local media. They should avoid any planned demonstrations or public gatherings as they have turned violent in the past. Anyone traveling to Andizhan should be aware that on 13 May 2005, a crowd of around 2,000 protested in the town square after an armed gang released a number of prisoners by force from a police station and military unit a day earlier. Government troops are reported to have fired on the protestors with official reports stating that 187 people were killed. Eyewitnesses put the figure much higher. There were also several protests in the Uzbek border town of Kara-Su (Ilychevsk) in May 2004, which led to a number of arrests.

There is a general threat from terrorism in Uzbekistan including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers. Visitors should be aware that terrorist incidents have occurred in Uzbekistan. Most recently, in May 2009, armed attacks took place in the Andizhan region of the Fergana Valley.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health Care

Emergency health care is available free of charge for visitors although, as in most parts of the former Soviet Union, medical care in Uzbekistan is inadequate and there are extreme financial problems. Doctors and hospitals often expect cash payment for health services. There is a severe shortage of basic medical supplies, including disposable needles, anaesthetics, antibiotics and vaccines. Travelers are therefore advised to take a well-equipped first-aid kit with them containing basic medicines and any prescriptions that they may need. For minor difficulties, visitors are advised to ask the management at their hotel for help. In case of emergency, travelers should get a referral from either the Tashkent International Medical Clinic or from the appropriate embassy, since foreigners are strongly advised not to approach local health care facilities without somebody who knows local conditions and the language. For major problems, visitors are well advised to seek help outside the country. Travel insurance is essential.