No Visa Required to Travel to Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is a must-visit destination: at the heart of the Silk Road, it preserves some of the region's most stunning architecture, such as Bukhara and Samarkand,
Uzbekistan is a must-visit destination: at the heart of the Silk Road, it preserves some of the region's most stunning architecture, such as Bukhara and Samarkand, and offers, beyond a cultural and historical journey, trekking in the steppes, mountains, or along the Aral Sea coast. It has everything to seduce, everything, except ease of access. Until recently, the cumbersome visa procedures placed Uzbekistan at the bottom of the list of Central Asian tourist destinations.
But with the arrival of new president Shavkat Mirziyoyev in 2016, many positive changes emerged. And much to the delight of tourists, who arrive in ever-increasing numbers to venture into Uzbekistan each year.
Visa-free regime for 86 countries
Entry into Uzbekistan was previously difficult: you had to obtain a visa beforehand, justify your stay, provide hotel addresses, register... Now, Uzbekistan is opening up to tourism, with a visa-free regime for 86 countries.
The country had tested this procedure for seven countries as early as February 2018: Israel, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey and Japan. Previously, only citizens of post-Soviet countries could cross the border without presenting a visa. France was added to the list in October 2018. For other countries, Uzbekistan offered electronic visas, which greatly simplified the process.
From 2020 onwards, 86 countries will benefit from the visa-free regime. The authorized length of stay varies depending on country of origin: check the specifics on official websites. In general, and particularly for European nationals, the new law allows you to spend 30 days in Uzbekistan without presenting a visa. At the airport, you simply need to show a valid passport and a return ticket.
This approach is part of an effort to open up and internationalize the country, marked notably by currency convertibility, renovation of tourist infrastructure and airports, and the multiplication of commercial contracts with major foreign companies.
So don't hesitate any longer before booking your trip to Uzbekistan: the country is waiting for you with open arms! You could also take the opportunity to take a grand tour of Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan already offer visa-free regimes for these same countries, with stays extending up to 60 days.
Frequently asked questions
No, since October 2018, French nationals no longer need a visa to visit Uzbekistan. You simply need to present a valid passport and a return ticket at the airport. The authorized length of stay is 30 days for European nationals.
For French and European nationals, the visa-free stay in Uzbekistan is limited to 30 days. The exact duration may vary depending on your country of origin: it is recommended to check the information specific to your nationality on official websites.
For nationals of the 86 countries benefiting from visa exemption, you only need to present a valid passport and a return ticket at the airport. No prior visa is necessary.
Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan also offer visa-free regimes for many nationalities, with stays that can extend up to 60 days. This makes it possible to plan a major Central Asian circuit without visa restrictions.
If your country does not benefit from the visa-free regime, Uzbekistan offers an electronic visa (e-visa) which greatly simplifies the process compared to the previous procedure. You can submit your application online through the official Uzbek government portal.
