Uzbekistan
UZBUzbekistan is a landlocked Central Asian republic of roughly 37 million people, bordering Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan. Tashkent, the capital, is the region's largest city. The country liberalised sharply after President Shavkat Mirziyoyev came to power in 2016: visas were relaxed, currency controls lifted, and foreign investment opened.
The som is convertible and the flat personal income tax rate stands at 12 percent. Uzbekistan does not permit dual citizenship, making naturalisation a consequential step. The passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to around 58 destinations. Cost of living is very low by international standards, and Tashkent offers a growing expat and digital-nomad scene.
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- Uzbekistani Som (UZS)
- Dual citizenship
- Not allowed
- Capital
- Tashkent
- Region
- asia
- Population
- 36,944,000
- Cost-of-living
- 28 /100
Passport Rank
#87
Visa-Free
58
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Uzbekistan passport has visa-free access to 58 destinations. See the full Uzbekistan passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Uzbekistan without a prior visa (92)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Country Details
- Capital
- Tashkent
- Currency
- Uzbekistani Som (UZS)
- Languages
- Uzbek, Russian
- Population
- 36,944,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Continental semi-arid; hot dry summers, cold winters
- English Proficiency Rank
- #97
- GDP per capita
- $3,968
- Life expectancy
- 72.53 yrs
- Population growth
- 1.88%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
28
Safety
72
Healthcare
49
Quality of Life
112
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 5 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tashkent | — | — | — | — | — |
| Samarkand | — | — | — | — | — |
| Bukhara | — | — | — | — | — |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Tashkent
Rainfall range: 2–60 mm/month · Daylight 9h (winter) to 15h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Tourist eVisa
- Business
- Work
- Student
- Family
- Investor
- Tashkent IT-Park
- Authority
- Agency for External Migration
- Official Portal
- www.migration.gov.uz
- Phone
- +998-71-239-40-04
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 5
- Language Test
- Yes (Uzbek (Russian widely used))
- Civic Test
- No
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- No
- Fee
- $50
- Processing
- ~12 months
Safety
GPI Rank
#87
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Common Risks
- ⚠Currency exchange fraud with unofficial money changers offering above-market rates
- ⚠Taxi overcharging of tourists, particularly around Registan Square in Samarkand
- ⚠Counterfeit goods sold as authentic Uzbek handicrafts at bazaars
Examples of areas to avoid: Chilanzar district outskirts at night (Tashkent), Poorly lit areas around the old town market after dark (Bukhara)
Related Guides
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Sources & last verified
- Last verified