Uzbekistan Visa for Indian Citizens: Everything You Need to Know

Why Understanding the Visa for Uzbekistan for Indian Citizens Matters

Visa for Uzbekistan for Indian citizens is available primarily through a convenient e-Visa system, making travel to this historic Silk Road destination easier than ever. Here’s what you need to know right away:

Quick Answer: Getting Your Uzbekistan Visa

• e-Visa is available: Indian citizens can apply online at evisa.com.uz
• Cost: $20 USD for a tourist e-Visa
• Processing time: 2-3 working days (apply at least 3 days before travel)
• Validity: 90 days from issuance, allowing a 30-day stay
• Visa-free transit: 5 days at international airports with onward ticket
• Children under 16: Can enter visa-free when accompanied by a legal guardian

Uzbekistan—home to the breathtaking Registan Square in Samarkand, the ancient streets of Bukhara, and the modern capital Tashkent—has simplified its entry process for Indian travelers. Whether you’re planning to explore madrasahs and mosques, attend business conferences, or simply experience the legendary hospitality of Central Asia, understanding the visa requirements is your first step.

The country introduced its electronic visa system in July 2018 for citizens of 51 countries, including India. This shift eliminated the need for most travelers to visit embassies or deal with lengthy paperwork. Today, most Indian tourists and business visitors can complete their entire visa application from home in under 20 minutes.

I’m Nariman Huseynov, and with over 5 years of experience helping international travelers obtain visa for Uzbekistan for Indian citizens through our platform at Visato, I’ve guided thousands of travelers through this exact process. Let me walk you through everything you need to know to make your Uzbekistan visa application smooth and hassle-free.

Key Uzbekistan Visa Options for Indians

Planning a trip to Uzbekistan is an exciting prospect, and knowing your visa options is the first step. For Indian passport holders, Uzbekistan offers a streamlined process, primarily through its e-Visa system. This section outlines the different entry permits available, helping you choose the right one for your trip.

The Uzbekistan e-Visa: Your Fastest Route

The Uzbekistan e-Visa is by far the most popular and convenient option for Indian citizens. Launched in 2018, this electronic system has made obtaining a visa for Uzbekistan for Indian citizens significantly simpler. It’s designed for quick processing and is ideal for most travelers.

Here’s what you need to know about the e-Visa:

• Purpose of Visit: The e-Visa is generally issued for tourism purposes, allowing you to explore the country’s rich historical sites and cultural heritage. However, it can also be used for short business trips, attending conferences, or other similar short-term engagements.
• Entry Type: It is a single-entry visa, meaning once you enter Uzbekistan and then leave, the visa is considered used, even if you haven’t exhausted your full allowed stay. If you plan to re-enter, you’ll need a new visa.
• Stay Duration: The e-Visa permits a stay of up to 30 days within Uzbekistan.
• Validity: The e-Visa itself is valid for 90 days from the date of its issuance. This means you must enter Uzbekistan within this 90-day window.
• Application: The entire application process is conducted online through the e-Visa portal. This convenience means no embassy visits or physical document submissions are required.

For most Indian travelers heading to Uzbekistan for leisure or short business engagements, the e-Visa is our top recommendation. It’s quick, efficient, and user-friendly. You can access the e-Visa portal directly at https://evisa.com.uz/.

Regular (Sticker) Visa Overview

While the e-Visa covers the majority of travel needs for Indian citizens, a regular (sticker) visa obtained through an embassy or consulate is still an option, particularly for those requiring longer stays, multiple entries, or specific visa categories not covered by the e-Visa (e.g., long-term work or study).

The primary difference for a regular visa is the requirement for “visa support” from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This support is usually arranged by a host organization or individual in Uzbekistan and sent directly to the Embassy. Without this, applying for a regular visa can be challenging.

Let’s compare the two main options for a visa for Uzbekistan for Indian citizens:

Special Entry Conditions: Transit and Minors

Uzbekistan also offers certain special entry conditions that can benefit Indian travelers:

• 5-Day Visa-Free Transit: If you’re simply passing through Uzbekistan on your way to another country, you might be eligible for a 5-day visa-free transit. This regime applies at international airports of Uzbekistan for Indian citizens. To qualify, you must:

  • Hold an onward flight ticket to a third country.
  • Your connecting flight must be within 5 days (120 hours) of your arrival.
  • The airline operating your flight must inform Uzbekistan border authorities of your transit. This is a fantastic option for a quick stopover to see some of Tashkent’s sights!

• Visa-Free Entry for Children Under 16: Here’s a heartwarming detail for families: foreign citizens under 16 years of age can enter Uzbekistan without a visa! This applies if they hold a valid international passport or biometric travel document and are accompanied by a legal guardian. Their stay duration will match that of the accompanying guardian’s visa, or up to a maximum of 90 days from the date of entry. However, if a child turns 16 during their stay in Uzbekistan, an exit visa will be issued to them, so keep an eye on those birthdays!

Your Complete Guide to the Visa for Uzbekistan for Indian Citizens

Now that you know your options, let’s dive into the practical steps. Follow this detailed guide to steer the application process smoothly and successfully, focusing primarily on the e-Visa, which is the most common and straightforward path for a visa for Uzbekistan for Indian citizens.

Step-by-Step: Applying for the Uzbekistan e-Visa for Indian Citizens

Applying for an e-Visa is a breeze, especially if you follow our simple steps. We’ve helped countless travelers, and we know you can do it too!

1. Go to Portal: Your journey begins at the electronic visa portal of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Make sure you’re on the correct website: https://evisa.com.uz/.
2. Select Your Details: On the homepage, you’ll be prompted to select your country (India, in this case), your type of passport (usually ‘Ordinary Passport’), and your purpose of visit (e.g., ‘Tourism’).
3. Enter Travel Dates: Provide your planned travel dates to Uzbekistan. This helps the system process your application correctly.
4. Fill Personal Details: Accurately enter all your personal information as it appears on your passport. This includes your full name, date of birth, nationality, and passport details. Double-check every single character!
5. Upload Documents: This is a crucial step. You will need to upload a clear scan of your passport’s main page (the page with your photo and personal information) and a recent digital passport-sized photograph. Ensure they meet the specified requirements for clarity and size.
6. Provide Your Email: Enter a valid and active email address. This is where all communications regarding your application, including the approved e-Visa, will be sent.
7. Pay the Fee Online: The consular fee for the e-Visa is $20 USD. You can pay this securely online using a Visa or MasterCard.
8. Submit Your Application: Once all details are entered and payment is made, submit your application. You’ll usually receive a confirmation email shortly after.

After submitting, you can always check your application status. We provide a convenient link for this: Check application status here.

Essential Documents for Your Application

For a smooth e-Visa application for a visa for Uzbekistan for Indian citizens, you’ll generally need the following:

• Scanned Passport Main Page: A high-resolution scan of the biographical page of your Indian passport. Ensure all details are clearly legible, including your photo, name, passport number, issue date, and expiry date. Your passport must have at least one blank page for stamps and be valid for at least 90 days beyond your intended period of stay in Uzbekistan.
• Recent Digital Photograph: A recent, color, passport-sized digital photograph. It should be clear, with a white background, and show your full face. No hats or sunglasses, please!
• Valid Email Address: An active email address where you can receive notifications and your approved e-Visa.
• Visa or MasterCard for Payment: To cover the $20 USD e-Visa fee.

For those applying for a regular (sticker) visa, the requirements are more extensive and typically include:

• One copy of the visa application form, completed and signed.
• One recent color passport-sized photograph, attached to the application form.
• Your original passport, with at least one blank page and validity of 90 days beyond your stay.
• A photocopy of your passport.
• Visa support confirmation from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sent directly to the Embassy.
• Applicable visa fees.
• Other documents depending on the visa type (e.g., invitation letter for business, acceptance letter for study).

After You Apply: Tracking and Receiving Your e-Visa

Once you’ve clicked that submit button, the waiting game begins! But don’t worry, it’s usually not a long wait for a visa for Uzbekistan for Indian citizens.

• Application Tracking: You can track the status of your e-Visa application directly on the portal using the unique identification number you received after submission. Just visit https://evisa.com.uz/application-query to stay updated.
• Email Notification: Once your application is approved, you will receive an email notification. This email will contain your e-Visa in PDF format.
• Receiving the PDF Visa: The e-Visa is a digital document. We recommend downloading and saving it to your device, and most importantly, printing a physical copy.
• Printing the e-Visa: Always carry a printed copy of your approved e-Visa with you when traveling to Uzbekistan. While immigration officers can often check it electronically, having a physical copy can prevent any potential hiccups or delays, especially if there are system issues.
• Presenting at Immigration: Upon arrival at any international airport in Uzbekistan, present your valid Indian passport and the printed copy of your e-Visa to the immigration officer. They will verify your details and stamp your passport.

Costs, Processing Times, and Validity

Understanding the financial and time commitments is crucial for planning your trip to Uzbekistan. We want to ensure you have all the facts upfront, so there are no surprises.

Understanding Fees for the Uzbekistan Visa for Indian Citizens

The cost of your visa for Uzbekistan for Indian citizens will depend on the type of visa you apply for:

• e-Visa Fee: The good news is that the electronic tourist visa is very affordable, costing just $60 USD. This is a single, all-inclusive fee for the online application.
• Regular Tourist Visa (30 days): If you opt for a regular sticker visa (which is less common for Indian citizens unless specific circumstances require it), a 30-day tourist visa costs $40 USD, plus an additional $15 USD “actual charge.”
• Other Regular Visa Types:
  • Single Entry Visa: Fees range from $40 USD (for up to 7 days) to $160 USD (for up to 1 year), plus the $15 USD actual charge.
  • Multiple Entry Visa: These are more expensive, ranging from $60 USD (for up to 1 month) to $250 USD (for up to 1 year), plus the $15 USD actual charge.
  • Group Visa Fees: For groups of 10 or more people, the fees are $15 USD per person (for up to 15 days) or $25 USD per person (for up to 30 days), plus a $15 USD per group actual charge.
  • Transit Visa: A transit visa for up to 72 hours costs $40 USD, and a double-entry transit visa costs $50 USD, both with an additional $15 USD actual charge.
• Urgent Processing Fee: If you need your regular visa processed urgently, expect to pay an additional 50% on top of the standard fee.

Consular fees for regular visas must typically be paid to a specified bank account (e.g., Kotak Mahindra Bank in New Delhi) under the applicant’s name. Payments under different names may not be accepted.

How Long Does It Take? Processing and Approval Times

Time is often of the essence when planning international travel. Here’s what you can expect for processing your visa for Uzbekistan for Indian citizens:

• e-Visa Processing Time: The official processing time for an e-Visa is often stated as two working days, excluding the day of application. However, we at Visato, and other sources, recommend applying at least 3 working days before your planned travel date to be safe. Some general information indicates that applications are typically approved within 12 business days, while others suggest a standard processing time of 5 to 10 working days. To avoid any last-minute stress, we advise applying well in advance, ideally a couple of weeks before your departure.
• Regular Visa Processing Time: For regular (sticker) visas, the processing time can be significantly longer and is less predictable. It heavily depends on the time it takes to secure the necessary visa support from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the workload at the Embassy or Consulate. There are no guaranteed timelines, so if you require a regular visa, start your application process many weeks, or even months, ahead of your intended travel.

Visa Validity and Allowed Duration of Stay

Understanding how long your visa is valid and how long you can stay is key to a worry-free trip:

• e-Visa Validity: An electronic visa for Indian citizens is valid for 90 days from the date of its issuance. This means you must enter Uzbekistan within this 90-day period.
• Allowed Stay: Once you enter Uzbekistan with an e-Visa, you are permitted to stay for a maximum duration of 30 days. It’s a single-entry visa, so if you leave and wish to re-enter, you’ll need a new e-Visa.
• Passport Validity: A crucial requirement for any visa for Uzbekistan for Indian citizens is that your passport must be valid for at least 90 days beyond your intended period of stay in Uzbekistan. For example, if you plan to stay for 30 days, your passport should be valid for at least 120 days from your entry date. We always recommend having at least six months of passport validity remaining to avoid any issues.

Important Post-Visa and Arrival Information

Congratulations! Your visa for Uzbekistan for Indian citizens is approved. Now, let’s talk about what happens next and some important regulations to ensure a hassle-free entry and stay in the beautiful country.

Mandatory Registration for Stays Over 3 Days

This is a very important detail that often catches travelers by surprise, but it’s simple to manage:

• Registration Requirement: If you plan to stay in Uzbekistan for more than 3 working days (excluding weekends and public holidays), you are legally required to register your stay with the local authorities.
• How it Works: The good news is that most reputable hotels, guesthouses, and registered accommodation providers will handle this registration for you automatically upon check-in. They will typically provide you with a small registration slip (or a digital equivalent).
• Keep Registration Slips: It is absolutely vital to keep all your registration slips from every place you stay. These slips act as proof that you have complied with the local registration laws.
• Checked Upon Departure: Immigration officials may ask to see your registration slips when you depart from Uzbekistan, especially if your stay exceeded three days. Failure to provide them could lead to fines or delays. So, treat them like gold!

Using Indian Documents in Uzbekistan (Apostille)

For Indian citizens who might need to use official documents (like birth certificates, marriage certificates, educational degrees, or business documents) in Uzbekistan, understanding the apostille process is key.

• Hague Convention of 1961: Uzbekistan is a signatory to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (the Apostille Convention) since April 15, 2012. India is also a member.
• Apostille Process: This means that documents issued in India and intended for use in Uzbekistan do not require traditional consular legalization by the Embassy of Uzbekistan. Instead, they need to be apostilled. The apostille is a specific certification issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, that authenticates the origin of the public document.
• No Further Legalization Needed: Once your Indian document has been notarized in India and then apostilled by the MEA, it is considered legally valid for use in all state institutions of the Republic of Uzbekistan without any further legalization from the Uzbek Embassy. This simplifies the process significantly!

For more detailed information on consular documents, you can refer to the Embassy’s official page: https://www.uzbekembassy.in/consular-documents/.

Contacting the Embassy of Uzbekistan in India

Should you have specific questions about your visa for Uzbekistan for Indian citizens that aren’t covered by the e-Visa system, or if you require a regular visa, contacting the Embassy is the next step.

Here are the contact details for the Embassy of Uzbekistan in New Delhi, India:

• Address: EP-40, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021, India.
• Phone Numbers:
  • (91-11) 2467-0774
  • (91-11) 2467-0775
• Fax: (91-11) 2467-0773
• Email: in.uzembassy@mfa.uz
• Working Hours: Monday – Friday, from 09:00 to 18:00.

We recommend calling during working hours for the most up-to-date and specific guidance, especially for complex cases or regular visa inquiries.

Frequently Asked Questions

We know you might have more questions, so we’ve compiled some of the most common ones about the visa for Uzbekistan for Indian citizens:

Can I get a visa on arrival in Uzbekistan?

For Indian tourists, a visa on arrival (VOA) is generally not a standard option. The most common and highly recommended method for obtaining a visa for Uzbekistan for Indian citizens is to apply for an e-Visa online before your departure. This process is convenient, efficient, and ensures you have your visa in hand before you even reach the airport.

While the research suggests that VOA may be possible in rare cases for passengers with a pre-approved Visa Confirmation (stamp) issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, this is not a general facility for tourists. Relying on this exception is not advisable for planned travel. Always secure your e-Visa in advance to avoid any entry issues.

What happens if my e-visa information doesn’t match my passport?

This is a critical point! Any discrepancy between the information printed on your e-Visa and the details in your valid Indian passport will render the e-Visa invalid. If there’s a mismatch, even a minor one like a misspelled name or an incorrect passport number, you could be denied boarding by the airline or, worse, denied entry upon arrival in Uzbekistan.

It is absolutely crucial to double-check all your personal details and passport information for accuracy during the e-Visa application process before you submit it. We can’t stress this enough – a small typo can lead to big travel headaches! As applicants, we are responsible for the information presented in our request for obtaining an electronic visa.

Do children under 16 need their own visa?

No, children who are Indian citizens and are under the age of 16 do not need their own separate visa for Uzbekistan for Indian citizens. They are eligible for a visa-free regime!

Here are the specific conditions:

• They must be accompanied by a legal guardian (parent, etc.) who holds a valid Uzbekistan visa.
• They must have their own valid international passport or biometric travel document.
• Their stay duration will match that of the accompanying guardian’s visa, or up to a maximum of 90 days from the date of entry, whichever is shorter.

For example, if the guardian has an e-Visa allowing a 30-day stay, the child can stay for 30 days. If the guardian has a longer visa or is a permanent resident, the child’s visa-free stay is capped at 90 days.

A unique point to remember: if a foreign citizen under 16 turns 16 during their stay in Uzbekistan, an exit visa will be issued to them. This ensures they can legally depart the country. So, if your child’s birthday is during your trip, just be aware of this specific administrative detail.

Conclusion

Uzbekistan’s doors are wide open for Indian travelers, inviting you to explore its captivating history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture. With the introduction of the e-Visa system, obtaining a visa for Uzbekistan for Indian citizens has become simpler and faster than ever before. From the ancient Silk Road cities of Samarkand and Bukhara to the busy modern capital Tashkent, a rich and unforgettable experience awaits.

We at Visato are dedicated to making your travel dreams a reality. Our fast, simple, and secure online application process, coupled with our 24/7 support, ensures you get your e-Visa with ease, often in as little as 2-3 business days. We hope this comprehensive guide has demystified the process and equipped you with all the necessary information for your journey.

So, pack your bags, prepare your documents, and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime. Plan your seamless Uzbekistan journey with our complete guide and let us help you with your visa needs. Plan your seamless Uzbekistan journey with our complete guide.