Uzbekistan has a simple e-visa policy for Indians. With minimal documentation, you can get a visa in 3 days. Click here for more information on my Central Asian trip.
The website to apply for e-visa is https://e-visa.gov.uz/main
Keep the following documents ready for the e-visa application.
- Passport size digital photo – 35mm * 45mm with 300 DPI. Refer to the website for the specifications.
- Passport – Refer to the website for the specifications.
All you need to do is fill in the details, upload photo and passport and make payment. The charges are:
- Single entry: 20$
- Double entry: 35$
- Multiple entry: 50$
The website does not ask for any other documents. There is no need to provide air tickets, hotel booking, bank statements etc. It takes less than 10 minutes to fill in the details.
Once you finish entering the details, you will get an email with the code. Use that to make payment. The website accepts credit cards for the payment. You will get another email once the payment is successful. It says “Within 3 working days you will receive an email with the results of the approval of the application.”
In my case, I received the visa on the 3rd day.
Visa validity starts from the date of the application. It is valid for 90 days with the duration of 30 days stay.
Entry experience
We entered Uzbekistan via land border from Kazakhstan. It was a chaotic border crossing, but unlike Kazakhstan, the process in Uzbekistan was professional. There were separate immigration counters for locals and foreigners. Most people were local, and they passed through the automated control using passport cards.
It took a couple of minutes for me to cross immigration. I gave my passport and visa copy. The immigration office stamped my passport without asking any questions.
Exit visa
Uzbekistan had a ridiculous policy of exit visas inspired by the Soviet system. I think it was only for locals and not for foreigners. Anyway, the policy is abolished now.
Registration
Foreign tourists are required to register their stay in Uzbekistan. Hotels generally take care of this registration. You can see this policy in the Government website.
Foreigners staying in Uzbekistan for more than 72 hours are required to register their stay. If you are staying at a hotel, the hotel will handle the registration procedure on your behalf. You will be asked to register your stay at check-in, and as proof of registration you will be given a piece of paper with the hotel name and date of stay written on it, so please keep it in a safe place until you pass through immigration. Those entering the country on a tourist visa cannot register for a stay other than at a hotel.
We were not even aware of this rule. While checking out from our homestay, the host gave us copies of our registration. He said it was needed during immigration or to check in at other hotels.
Exit to Tajikistan
We crossed to Tajikistan at the Penjikent border. The immigration at Uzbekistan was straightforward, though I felt that the immigration officer spent more time looking at my passport!! I was asked to show the registration copy, while my friend was allowed to continue without showing it.
Summary
In my opinion, Uzbekistan’s e-visa policy is pretty straightforward. The country is also putting in a lot of effort to position itself as a tourist hotspot. With more direct flights from India, I am sure that Uzbekistan will become a tourist destination for Indians.
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