Uzbekistan Announces 30-Day Visa-Free Entry for Indian Citizens

During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Uzbekistan on August 29 and 30, 2026, the two countries signed several agreements aimed at deepening their cooperation—including a tourism program for the years 2026 through 2028. As part of this initiative, Uzbek authorities announced the introduction of a 30-day visa-free regime for citizens of both countries. The goal is to promote tourist exchange between Uzbekistan and India, which is already supported by 14 weekly flights between the two countries.

The Uzbek side explicitly describes the arrangement as reciprocal: travelers with Indian citizenship will in the future be allowed to stay in Uzbekistan for up to 30 days without a visa, while, conversely, Uzbek citizens will receive equivalent travel facilitation for trips to India. In a separate statement, the Uzbek Tourism Committee explicitly cited this measure as one of the initiatives intended to increase tourism between the two countries.

Important for anyone currently planning a trip to Uzbekistan: A specific effective date has not yet been announced. At the time of the announcement, in late August 2026, the Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not yet included India on the list of countries whose citizens regularly benefit from the 30-day visa-free entry. This means that until the measure is officially implemented, the current entry requirements will continue to apply.

For holders of a standard Indian passport, applying for an e-visa for Uzbekistan therefore remains the standard option for tourist and business stays for the time being. In addition, under certain conditions, visa-free transit for up to five days is still possible. Holders of diplomatic passports already benefit from a 60-day visa exemption—this regulation is not affected by the new announcement and remains in effect regardless.

For travelers visiting for tourism purposes, it is advisable to check which visa category is appropriate based on the duration of stay and the purpose of the trip—such as the Uzbekistan tourist visa for longer or repeated stays, provided the e-visa does not cover the planned duration of the trip. Business travelers traveling as part of the enhanced bilateral cooperation between Uzbekistan and India should also prepare their documents well in advance, as processing times may vary depending on workload.

Since it remains unclear when and in what exact form the visa-free arrangement will actually take effect, travelers should not base their plans solely on the announcement. Anyone planning to travel to Uzbekistan at short notice or in the coming months should continue to follow the currently valid requirements and apply for the appropriate visa in a timely manner to avoid delays upon entry. We are monitoring developments closely and will update our guidance as soon as specific details regarding the effective date become available.