Uzbekistan
Last update 30 August 2024Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 2: Increased attention (please be informed in detail about the current situation in the country)
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Republic of Uzbekistan
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Tashkent, the Republic of Uzbekistan
Address: 52 Rakatboshi str. Tashkent 100031, Uzbekistan
Working hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 17:30
Opening hours of the Consular Office: 10:00 – 13:00
Telephone: +998 71 256 48 88;
Fax: +99871 120 33 73
Out-of-hours hotline: +998 90 987 12 00
E-mail of the Embassy: [email protected]
E-mail of the Consular Office: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/uzbekistan
Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Ankara, Republic of Turkey
Office: Ankara, Sancak Mah. 549. Sok. No. 3
Working hours: 09:00 - 17:00
Phone: +90 312 4413871, +90 312 4415726
Tel.: +90 312 4411746 (Consular Department)
Fax: +90 312 4427058
[email protected]
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the Republic of Bulgaria
Mr. Petar Mandjukov
Consular district: Sofia + Plovdiv region
Office: Sofia, 15-17 Belovodski Path St
Phone: +359 2 917 02 01
E-mail: [email protected]
General information
Security level:
The situation in the country is peaceful. The restaurants are open (with very few exceptions) until 23:00 and due to periodic checks it is advisable to carry identity cards at all times. The use of private cars as unregulated taxis is widespread in the country and should be undertaken with caution by foreign nationals. Although there have been no serious criminal incidents involving such vehicles, the danger to commuters is mainly related to the characteristics of local road traffic and the abilities of those providing transport. Driving outside the city is appropriate during daylight hours, again due to the particularities of the road situation.
Healthcare:
All foreign nationals can use both public and private health facilities of Uzbekistan, for a fee. Pre-registration is not required. No special immunizations are required for residency, but hepatitis A vaccines are recommended due to the very high prevalence in the country. Given the large amount of bacteria uncharacteristic of Europe and the poor sanitary and hygienic conditions, stomach problems are common among visitors to Uzbekistan.
Recommended vaccines and personal hygiene advice:
No special immunizations are required for residency, but hepatitis A vaccines are recommended due to the very high prevalence in the country. Given the large amount of bacteria uncharacteristic of Europe and the poor sanitary and hygienic conditions, stomach problems are common among visitors to Uzbekistan.
Specifics of the local legislation:
For visa-free (up to 30 days) and visa stay in the Republic of Uzbekistan, an administrative registration regime applies. Foreign nationals are obliged to register within 3 days from the day of their arrival, excluding holidays and weekends.
Registration of foreign nationals is carried out in the hotels. In the case of private visits and accommodation in private accommodation, registration is carried out with the local authorities of the Ministry of Interior.
The heads of parliamentary and governmental delegations, their family members, persons residing in Uzbekistan with UN passports, as well as foreign citizens under 18 years of age are exempt from the registration obligation.
The registration is as a rule presented when crossing the border at the exit from Uzbekistan. Failure to do so could create a problem when leaving the country and a high fine could be imposed.
Customs requirements:
Since 1 January 2018, the system of ‘green’ and ‘red’ corridor for the passage of customs control by individuals was introduced at the international airports of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Any person may pass through the green corridor without completing the customs declaration if:
- the foreign currency imported does not exceed the equivalent of USD 2,000 (two thousand US dollars);
- the number of imported goods does not exceed the norms subject to customs fees;
- he/she does not carry goods whose import or export is prohibited or restricted by law.
The choice of the ‘green’ corridor constitutes a declaration to the customs authorities that the individual has no goods or foreign currency in stock, in a form and quantity subject to written declaration.
In case of discovery of goods or funds in foreign currency subject to written declaration, the foreign national will be held liable in accordance with the procedure established by law.
Crossing the ‘red’ corridor means goods or cash available for declaration. In this case a customs declaration is required.
Import of foreign currency — import of foreign currency into the Republic of Uzbekistan is carried out without restrictions. An amount equal to or less than the equivalent of USD 2,000 (two thousand U.S. dollars) shall not be declared in writing. All foreign currency in excess of the equivalent of USD 2,000 (two thousand U.S. dollars) shall be subject to mandatory written declaration upon import and export.
Export of currency — up to USD 2,000 without declaration. Over USD 2,000 —– based on the customs declaration completed upon entry into the Republic of Uzbekistan, the amount of foreign currency available for export must not exceed the amount of foreign currency available for import.
The import and export of the national currency of the Republic of Uzbekistan (UZS) is allowed in an amount not exceeding 50 times the minimum wage of the country, with a mandatory written declaration for quantities exceeding 5 times the minimum wage.
List of goods prohibited for import into the Republic of Uzbekistan:
(a) narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors (also prohibited for export);
(b) printed material, manuscripts, clichés, drawings, photographs, films, negatives, video and audio productions aimed at undermining the State and social system, violating territorial integrity, political independence and State sovereignty, propagating war, terrorism, violence, national division and religious hatred, racism and its varieties (anti-Semitism, fascism), pornographic material;
(c) portable laser emitters;
(d) explosive and pyrotechnic devices;
(e) drones.
Import of medicines by individuals, for personal use - up to 10 medicines with different names and no more than 5 packages of medicines of each name. Up to 5 units of medical products. Medicines and medical products must be in the manufacturer's packaging.
More information can be found on the website www.customs.uz.
Road traffic:
It is recommended to strictly observe the traffic rules. In case of traffic offences and accidents, heavy fines are imposed, which according to the practice are paid after a court procedure, no matter that you are a foreign citizen. The capital Tashkent is equipped with fixed and mobile cameras capturing speeding and running red traffic lights.
Before driving in Uzbekistan, make sure your driving licence has not expired. It is recommended that you obtain an international driving licence in advance to use in Uzbekistan.
The road transport network of Uzbekistan is characterised by poor road quality. The country is lacking a network of high-speed motorways. There are no toll road sections. No vignette fees have been introduced.
A peculiarity is the fact that the leftmost lane on a highway is not considered the fastest lane. In some places on the highway, the leftmost lane makes a U-turn and very often cars stop there waiting for oncoming traffic.
Practical advice:
In the hot summer months, it is necessary to take in more fluids and low-fat foods, as well as avoid alcohol. Tap water in Tashkent and other major cities is drinkable, but it is recommended to use bottled mineral or spring water.
It is advisable to avoid, if possible, independent travel through the desert areas of the country.
In shops, supermarkets and restaurants, cashiers and waiters often ask you to tell them your pin when you pay by a debit or credit card. Don’t tell them, ask them to put it on the payment device yourself.
In all months of the year it is advisable not to undertake independent hikes in the mountains due to the absence of marked hiking and trekking routes. Trekking in the mountains of Uzbekistan should be done with a qualified guide or guide. During the winter months, visits to the mountains should be undertaken with caution due to the risk of avalanches.
When shopping for goods and souvenirs at market stalls, prices are always inflated and the buyer is expected to initiate bargaining for a lower price.
In many places in Uzbekistan, private hotels and other tourist service venues apply double pricing for residents and non-residents, i.e. services for foreigners are at least twice as high.
Local currency:
Uzbek sum (UZS). Currency exchange takes place at all exchange offices at the hotels, as well as at exchange offices in bank branches. Payments in currency other than Uzbek sum and its exchange outside the above places are illegal and criminalized.
Travel papers and visas
By a Decree No UP-5611 of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, effective from 1 February 2019, the visa regime for holders of all types of Bulgarian passports is abolished For stays of up to 30 days. When travelling to Uzbekistan and staying up to 30 days, you only need to have a valid international passport. The validity of the passport must expire 6 months after the intended date of departure.Possession of medical insurance valid for the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan is obligatory.
A visa is required for stays in Uzbekistan exceeding 30 days. A system for issuing electronic visas for foreigners has been introduced, which establishes a simplified procedure for issuing visas (for some countries, including Bulgaria). For this purpose, on the e-visa.gov.uz website the necessary data is filled in, scanned photos and a copy of the passport are attached, payment is made by bank card and the e-visa is received by e-mail. The printout of the e-visa is provided at passport control upon entry into Uzbekistan.
Official information on the issuance of entry visas to the Republic of Uzbekistan can be found at: https://mfa.uz/ru/consular/visa/ and https://mfa.uz/en/consular/visa/.
Visa-free stay, over 30 days, for persons under 16 years of age. Such a stay can be made in the Republic of Uzbekistan, but foreign nationals who have not reached the age of 16 must be accompanied by their legal parents or guardians and must have a biometric travel document for the duration of the accompanying person's visa. They are allowed to stay without a visa for a maximum of ninety days from the date of entry into the country.
The Republic of Uzbekistan does not have a diplomatic mission in Bulgaria, therefore additional information on visa matters can be obtained from the country’s Consular Offices in:
Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Ankara, Republic of Turkey
Office: Ankara, Sancak Mah. 549. Sok. No. 3
Working hours: 09:00 - 17:00
Phone: +90 312 4413871, +90 312 4415726
Tel.: +90 312 4411746 (Consular Department)
Fax: +90 312 4427058
[email protected]
Competitive service
Issuance of identity documents:
The Embassy in the city of Tashkent has been equipped with a biometric counter for receiving/processing/ and sending data to Bulgaria for issuing new identity documents. The newly issued identity documents can be obtained from the Embassy only in case the applicant has paid in advance for their return from Sofia to Tashkent by DHL.
DHL service cost for shipments weighing up to 0.5 kg from Sofia to Tashkent is EUR 47.25.
Civil status:
The Consular Office of the Embassy in Tashkent may perform administrative services related to the registration in Bulgaria of children of Bulgarian citizens born in the Republic of Uzbekistan on the basis of documents issued by local authorities; registration in Bulgaria of a civil marriage of Bulgarian citizens contracted in the Republic of Uzbekistan; registration in Bulgaria of the death of a Bulgarian citizen occurring abroad.
Legalizations and Certifications:
Bulgaria and Uzbekistan have signed a bilateral legal assistance agreement, under which documents/deeds drawn up in either country do not require further certification or legalization to serve before the authorities of the other country.
The Consular Office at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Tashkent may certify the date, content and signatures of private documents in Bulgarian language, which are not subject to registration and are presented by Bulgarian or foreign citizens, may certify the accuracy of copies and extracts of Bulgarian documents presented by Bulgarian citizens and may draw up notarial wills of Bulgarian citizens. The certification of the date, content and signature of a private document which is not subject to registration and is presented by a foreign citizen shall be carried out only if the document is intended to have its effect on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and is drawn up in Bulgarian.
The Consular Office cannot draw up notarial deeds or certify other private documents subject to registration (e.g. statements of claim, contract for the sale of a motor vehicle, etc.).