Starting from April 1, 2017 Uzbekistan will abolish visa regime for the nationals of Australia, Austria, UK, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Finland, Switzerland and Japan, entering into the country for tourism purposes for a period not exceeding 30 days.
This is provided for by the Presidential decree dated December 2, "On measures to ensure the accelerated development of the tourism industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan"
In addition, the visa regime will be canceled for the citizens of Kingdom of Belgium, Indonesia, China (as part of tourist groups), Malaysia, USA, France, Vietnam, Israel, Poland, Hungary, Portugal and the Czech Republic who are 55 years of age or older and entering into Uzbekistan for tourism purposes for a period not exceeding 30 days.
Citizens of these countries upon entrance to Uzbekistan pay an entry fee of $ 50, which is to transferred to the state budget. The document confirming payment of entrance visa fee will serve as the grounds for entry into the country.
Also, by January 1, 2017 proposals should be prepared for the introduction of common tourist visa for all countries, issued for a period of 30 days, a significant simplification of the visa obtaining procedure, including transit visas, at Uzbek international airports and border crossings across the Uzbek state boundary, as well as the simplification of procedures for obtaining work permits for foreign specialists working in Uzbekistan in the sphere of tourism, providing them with tax benefits on personal income.
In addition, it is planned to expand the use of modern ICT in the process of visa registration and issuance, including implementing on-line visa application system, as well as the introduction in 2018 of the system of e-visas.
Uzbekistan Airways and Uzbekistan Railways in cooperation with the State Border Guard of the National Security Service and the State Customs Committee and the Tourism Development Committee (formerly UzbekTourism) are instructed by April 2017 to take the necessary measures for the implementation at Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Urgench international airports of "green corridor" for foreign tourists arriving (departing) in the country, with the simplified procedure of passport and customs control, baggage collection and transport services.
Separate passport control for residents and non-residents shall be organized at airports and train stations which is aimed at creating additional facilities for foreign citizens and accelerate this procedure.
The above mentioned bodies are instructed to systematically implement measures to improve the level and quality of services for passengers, including free services, through the creation and development at the airports and railway stations of comfortable tourist information services, including the activities of tourist information points, tourist navigation system, direction signs and more.
