As a sign of gratitude, the fellow countrymen abroad who actively contribute in the economic and social life of Uzbekistan and carry out charitable activities are issued a Vatandosh (Countryman) certificate.

The Vatandosh card, valid for a period of 5 years, will allow visa-free entry and exit to the territory of Uzbekistan, purchase real estate, work, and use many other government services.

The President’s November 20 Decree approved the Regulation on Procedure for Registration, Issuance and Cancellation of the Vatandosh Certificate and the Vatandosh Card. This was reported on the Legal Information channel of the Ministry of Justice.

The Regulation has established the procedure for registration, issuance and cancellation of the Vatandosh certificate and the Vatandosh card for countrymen who seek to actively participate in the economic and social life of Uzbekistan.

The Vatandosh certificate is a form of encouragement for countrymen living abroad, a sign of gratitude and appreciation to countrymen who actively contribute in the economic and social life of our country, make a worthy contribution to strengthening friendly relations with other countries, and carry out charitable (patronage) activities in the country, and a document that serves as the basis for obtaining the Vatandosh card.

A recommendation shall be submitted to the Commission for consideration of candidates submitted by ministries and departments on the basis of proposals and initiatives for issuing a certificate.

The Vatandosh card is a document in the form of an ID card, issued on the basis of a certificate for a period of 5 years and giving the right to use the established privileges in the territory of Uzbekistan;

Individuals who have a card shall be entitled for the following rights:

• Visa-free entry and exit to the territory of Uzbekistan;

• Waiver from threshold price for real estate valid for foreign citizens when purchasing real estate in the country;

• Right to work without documents confirming the right to labor activity issued to a foreign citizen;
• use of medical, educational and other state services under the the same terms established for citizens of Uzbekistan.

Family members of card holders (parents, spouses and minor children) shall be granted the following benefits:

• multiple-entry visa without charging a state fee with the possibility of extending the current visa term for an unlimited number of times without the need to leave the territory of Uzbekistan;
• use of medical, educational and other state services under the conditions established for citizens of Uzbekistan;
• formalize and extend registration at the place of temporary residence in the internal affairs bodies without charging a state fee.