Planning a trip to Uzbekistan? Indians can now stay visa free for 30 days

Indian travelers could soon have an easier way to explore Central Asia as Uzbekistan has announced visa-free entry for Indian citizens for stays of up to 30 days.

This was announced by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during a delegation-level meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tashkent on August 30, during Modi’s two-day state visit to Uzbekistan.

The new regime is aimed at strengthening travel, trade and cultural ties between India and Uzbekistan.

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Indian citizens can now enter Uzbekistan visa-free for stays of up to 30 days, increasing the convenience of travel.

Visa-free entry is aimed at strengthening travel, trade and cultural ties between India and Uzbekistan.

The visa-free policy offers Indian travelers greater flexibility in planning longer itineraries across Uzbekistan’s historic cities, enhancing their travel experience.

Travelers should check the final implementation date and any relevant entry requirements with Uzbek authorities before booking travel.

Highlights include the Tashkent metro, the Registan in Samarkand and the historic streets of Bukhara, which showcase the rich culture and architecture of Uzbekistan.

For Indian passport holders, the announcement could make it easier to plan everything from a quick city trip to a longer trip across Uzbekistan’s historic Silk Road cities. However, as this policy has only recently been announced, travelers should check with Uzbek authorities for the final implementation date and relevant entry requirements before booking travel.

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What Uzbekistan’s new visa-free rule means for Indians

Under the announced arrangement, Indian citizens will be allowed to enter Uzbekistan without obtaining a visa for stays of up to 30 days.

The move comes as the two countries seek to deepen their economic and cultural ties. During his meeting with Modi, President Mirziyoyev described India as a reliable strategic partner and said that bilateral trade crossed $1 billion for the first time last year.

He also said that the number of joint ventures between India and Uzbekistan has increased sevenfold in recent years.

The relationship goes beyond business. Uzbekistan is home to institutions including the Lal Bahadur Shastri Center for Indian Culture and the Mahatma Gandhi Center for Indian Studies. Yoga has also gained popularity in the country, which established a dedicated yoga federation in 2018.

For travelers, the new 30-day window could mean more time to explore the country’s cities, architecture, food and landscapes without having to fit an itinerary into a regular short vacation.

What to explore in Uzbekistan

The capital of Uzbekistan offers a mix of contemporary city life and centuries of history.

One of its most prominent attractions is the Tashkent metro, whose stations are known for their elaborate interiors with mosaics, chandeliers, sculptures and murals.

The city can serve as a starting point for understanding Uzbek, Islamic and Soviet influences before venturing into the country’s historic cities.

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Visit Registan in Samarkand

For many visitors, Registan Square is the image that immediately comes to mind when they think of Uzbekistan.

The historic center of Samarkand is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and Registan is among its most famous monuments. Other major attractions include Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Shahi Zinda and Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum.

The city offers a glimpse into Uzbekistan’s significance along the historic Silk Road and is one of the country’s key stops for first-time visitors.

Explore the old streets of Bukhara

Another important Silk Road destination, Bukhara is known for its historic architecture and traditional business districts.

Its old center contains madrassas, mosques, bazaars, caravanserai and commercial domes, making it particularly suitable for travelers who prefer to explore the historic districts at a leisurely pace.

Rather than rushing between attractions, visitors can spend time walking around the old town and taking in its architecture and markets.

Try Uzbek traditional dishes

Uzbekistan also has plenty to offer for the food-focused traveller.

The country’s signature dish is plov, a rice-based preparation that comes in hundreds of regional variations.

Other dishes worth trying include manti, steamed dumplings that can be filled with meat or pumpkin, and shashlik, grilled skewers commonly served as part of Uzbek cuisine.

A longer stay could allow visitors to sample regional variations rather than restricting themselves to the most well-known dishes.

Head to the Fergana Valley

Travelers looking outside the standard Tashkent-Samarkand-Bukhara route may consider the Fergana Valley.

The region is known above all for its craft traditions. At Rishtan, visitors can explore Uzbekistan’s renowned pottery-making heritage.

In Margilan, the Yodgorlik Silk Factory offers visitors the opportunity to see traditional silk production.

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A 30-day window could change the itinerary

The visa-free travel announcement could give Indian travelers more flexibility in planning their vacations in Uzbekistan.

Instead of limiting the trip to a handful of major cities, visitors could potentially build a longer itinerary including Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, the Ferghana Valley and desert regions, depending on the final visa-free rules.

However, Indian travelers should confirm with Uzbek authorities when the new arrangement will officially come into effect, along with passport validity requirements, permitted purposes of travel and other conditions of entry, before making travel arrangements.

For now, the announcement marks a significant ease of travel access for Indian passport holders and could make Uzbekistan an increasingly attractive option for those looking to explore Central Asia.