Uzbekistan travel guide

Travel Advice

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:

• advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
• information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

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This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Uzbekistan’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Uzbekistan set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Uzbek Embassy in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Uzbekistan, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the date you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document, or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa requirements

You can visit Uzbekistan without a visa for tourism or business for up to 30 days.

If you’re travelling for any other purpose, or intend to stay longer than 30 days, check the requirements with the Uzbek Embassy in the UK.

If you’re entering Uzbekistan on a visa, check it and carefully note the date of expiry and the number of entries permitted.

Do not overstay your visa, or exceed your permitted duration of stay, even for a very short period. If you overstay, you could get a fine and possibly be deported. It is not always easy or possible to extend your stay or visa if you want to stay in the country for longer than planned. If you’re travelling overland, make sure you arrive at your intended border crossing in good time before your period of stay or visa expires.

Border guards check the stamp on exit to make sure that travellers have not exceeded the 30-day period.

Registering with the authorities

You must register with the local district OVIR (Department of Foreign Travel and Exit) within 3 days of your arrival. Saturdays and Sundays count as part of the 3-day period. If you travel to another city and plan to stay for longer than 3 days there, you’ll need to register again.

If you’re staying at a hotel, the staff will register you. If you’re staying in a private house, your host should register you with their local district OVIR or on the electronic registration system, Emehmon. Tourist tax is usually included in the hotel bill, and private hosts pay the tourist tax on behalf of the guest.

If you’re travelling in Uzbekistan in a camper van or staying in tents and camping, you must register yourself. Register online through the electronic registration system, Emehmon, within 3 days of arrival. When registering online, you’ll have to pay a tourist tax charge for each day of your stay. At the moment you can only pay the tourist tax online with an Uzbek debit card in local currency.

The authorities will require a full record of where you’ve been in Uzbekistan upon departure. If you are unable to account for your whereabouts, or fail to get registered, you could get a fine for each day that is missing or late and possibly be deported.

Uzbek-British dual nationality

If you enter Uzbekistan on an Uzbek passport and are also a British national, the British Embassy can only provide very limited assistance. Uzbekistan does not recognise dual nationality so will treat you as an Uzbek national only. If you’re arrested or detained, the authorities are unlikely to grant you access to British Embassy staff.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Uzbekistan guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Uzbekistan (in Uzbek, Russian and English). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

You must fill in 2 copies of the customs declaration, and make sure customs officials sign and stamp both copies. You will need to show one copy at customs as you enter Uzbekistan and the other when you leave the country.

Taking money and valuables into and out of Uzbekistan

You’ll need to complete a declaration form when you arrive and keep a copy only if you are declaring:

• precious metals and gemstones in quantities over 65 grams 

• significant amounts of money, the threshold being 10,000 US dollars

Make sure customs officials sign and stamp both copies. You will need to show one copy at customs as you enter Uzbekistan and the other when you leave the country.

If you carry currency or valuables that you did not declare on arrival, there is a risk that officials may confiscate them.

You cannot leave Uzbekistan with more foreign currency than you brought with you.

Medication

Before you take any medication into Uzbekistan, check the list of prohibited medicines and restricted medicines (in Uzbek and Russian).

Bring a doctor’s prescription if you travel with prescription medicines and declare them on your customs declaration form. Some non-prescription medicines in the UK cause problems on entry into Uzbekistan, including codeine. Possession can lead to civil or criminal proceedings if you have not declared them on arrival. Travellers at land borders are more likely to face problems.

Drones

The import and use of drones in Uzbekistan is largely prohibited, with some limited exceptions. You must get a licence to import drones and permission to use them before you arrive in Uzbekistan. If you import or use drones without permission, you can be fined or get a prison sentence. The authorities can also confiscate your equipment.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Uzbekistan

Attacks could be indiscriminate and happen anywhere. They could affect western interests and places visited by foreigners, such as:

• transport hubs  

• embassies  and government buildings

• religious sites and places of worship   

• sporting and cultural events   

• shopping centres and crowded places

Examples of previous attacks include:

• in 2022, rockets were fired from Afghanistan into southern Uzbekistan. Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) claimed responsibility

• in 2019, it was reported that 17 people were killed in an armed attack on a Tajik security checkpoint on the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border. Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) claimed responsibility

If you are travelling in areas where attacks have previously occurred, stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

Political situation

Avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings of people. Use caution and maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places.

Crime

Muggings, pickpocketing and bag-snatching are common, especially in crowded places like bazaars and on public transport. Home burglaries and break-ins also happen, even in wealthier neighbourhoods.

Use caution and take measures to reduce your personal risk, such as:

• keep sight of your belongings at all times 
• be aware of thieves using distraction techniques 
• avoid carrying all your valuables together in one place e.g. handbags or pockets

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID

You must carry your passport with you at all times. This is a legal requirement in Uzbekistan, and the police often carry out checks.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Possession of drugs is illegal. You can get a long prison sentence if convicted. 

Prison sentences can be lengthy. While prison conditions have reportedly improved, reports of widespread hepatitis and tuberculosis as well as allegations of mistreatment of some prisoners by officials remain a concern.

Alcohol laws

It is illegal to sell alcohol and tobacco to someone aged 20 or under.    

Taking photos in secure areas

Any form of photography can upset the authorities, particularly photographs of government buildings. This includes the Palace of Forums in Tashkent and sometimes local bazaars not normally visited by tourists. While restrictions have been relaxed recently, you should check before taking photos, especially near airports, border checkpoints, military barracks, bridges, police stations and metro stations.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are illegal, not recognised and still frowned upon socially. You should refrain from showing affection in public.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Money

The currency in Uzbekistan is the Uzbek so’m (or soum/som – UZS), and is not available in currency exchanges outside Uzbekistan.  

Bring enough cash for your entire stay. US dollars are the most easily exchanged foreign currency. Only change money through official exchange booths. It is illegal to change money on the black market, and there are harsh penalties. Official exchange booths will not accept damaged or marked bank notes.  

There are very few ATMs which accept international debit and credit cards outside of the main cities. Internationally issued credit cards are not widely accepted outside Tashkent and the main cities. Travellers cheques are not normally accepted.

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Uzbekistan, see information on driving abroad.

Foreign nationals can drive their own car into Uzbekistan without paying import duties and taxes for up to 90 days. After the 90 days, daily fees will be applied. You must declare the car at the point of entry. You must carry your vehicle registration document and insurance for driving in Uzbekistan.

You can drive in Uzbekistan with a valid UK driving licence for 30 days. You’ll need to have both the 1968 version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.

You should get your licence and IDP translated into either Russian or Uzbek to make interaction with local authorities and traffic police easier. This is not a legal requirement.

Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, minimum age and holding an IDP.

Take care as many roads have poor surfaces and bad lighting.

Uzbekistan road laws require you:

• to drive on the right
• to wear seatbelts for drivers and all passengers
• not to use a mobile phone while driving

Taxis and buses

Use licensed taxis whenever possible - this includes:

• official taxis at the airport
• taxis booked using apps like Yandex or My Taxi

Unlicensed taxis are still common, despite licensing laws. Many taxis do not have rear seatbelts, so you may want to request a taxi that has them.

Many buses and taxis in Uzbekistan run on compressed natural gas and safety regulations on these vehicles are often not followed. Where possible opt for modern vehicles.

Air travel

On 19 May 2022, the UK introduced sanctions against the Russian airlines Aeroflot, Rossiya Airlines and Ural Airlines. It is now illegal under UK law for any British national to buy flight tickets from these airlines.

Rail travel

If you must travel overnight, keep valuables in a safe place. Do not leave your belongings in the compartment unattended. Lock the door from the inside. You’ll need to show your passport with a valid visa when booking train tickets.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.

Earthquakes

Uzbekistan is in an active seismic zone. There are regular tremors.

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.

This section has safety advice for regions of Uzbekistan. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

Uzbekistan-Afghanistan border

Be cautious if travelling near the border with Afghanistan, and follow the instructions of the local authorities.

The border crossing with Afghanistan, the Friendship Bridge, remains officially closed to foreigners. See Afghanistan travel advice.

The banks of the Amudarya river, which form the border between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, are fenced off, and there is a significant Uzbek military presence within that area, known as the ‘neutral zone’. You risk arrest if you approach the fence or take photos of military infrastructure or personnel in the neutral zone.

Many of the tourist sites close to the border require the permission of the local authorities to visit, or require you to be part of an organised tour group.

In April 2022, rockets were fired from Afghanistan into southern Uzbekistan. Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) claimed responsibility. See Terrorism.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Dial 103 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

• check the latest vaccine recommendations for Uzbekistan
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

See what health risks you’ll face in Uzbekistan.

Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Uzbekistan. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.  

Air quality

Air quality in the Karakalpakstan and Khorezm regions has deteriorated because of regular storms over the Aral Sea bringing salt, dust and pollutants into the air. Try to minimise your exposure to outside air by staying in an air-conditioned indoor place as much as possible, with windows and doors closed and well sealed.

Wash all fruit, vegetables and other foods, which might have been exposed. Regularly damp-dust all indoor surfaces, washing your hands afterwards. Monitor local reports and weather forecasts for the latest information and advice.

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries. See Customs rules.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

Healthcare in Uzbekistan

The quality of medical care in Uzbekistan is generally poor. Most hospitals are badly equipped and unhygienic, with a limited supply of drugs. There is no guarantee that equipment will have been properly sterilised, especially in rural hospitals. You should avoid all but basic or essential treatment in the event of an emergency. Medical insurance companies usually refer complaints of a more serious nature to hospitals in Europe or New Delhi.

There is no reciprocal healthcare agreement between the UK and Uzbekistan.

FCDO has a list of medical providers in Uzbekistan where some staff will speak English.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Uzbekistan

Ambulance: 103

Fire: 101

Police: 102

A new unified emergency services number, 112, was introduced in 2024 to cover all emergency calls. The previous emergency numbers are still in operation.

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Uzbekistan
• dealing with a death in Uzbekistan
• being arrested or imprisoned in Uzbekistan
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow and contact FCDO: 

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