Living in Uzbekistan
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Uzbekistan, including guidance on residency, healthcare and driving.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Uzbekistan. Read about how our Embassy in Tashkent can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Uzbek authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Support for British nationals abroad: a guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
To stay up to date, follow the British Embassy Tashkent on:
Before you go
See our travel advice for Uzbekistan for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for Uzbekistan in our travel advice.
Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.
UK nationals can stay in Uzbekistan without a visa for up to 30 days
If you are travelling for a purpose other than tourism or business, or intending to stay longer than 30 days, you should check entry requirements with the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in London.
If you’re entering Uzbekistan on an Uzbek visa, you should check the expiry date and the number of entries permitted.
Do not overstay your visa, or exceed your permitted duration of stay. You will be fined and possibly deported. You may not be able to extend your stay or visa if you wish to remain in Uzbekistan for longer than you intended.
For further information contact the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in London.
You must register within 3 days of arrival, which includes Saturdays and Sundays. If you are staying in a hotel, you will be asked for your passport at check-in, and it will be retained for a short period. Hotel staff will complete the registration paperwork and return your passport to you.
If you travel to another city and plan to stay longer than 3 days, you will need to register again. A full record of your whereabouts in Uzbekistan is required when you depart. If you cannot account for your whereabouts you could be fined and deported.
If you’re staying in a private house, your host or landlord should register you with their local district OVIR (Department of Foreign Travel & Exit) or on the electronic registration system Emehmon.uz.
If you are camping, you must register on the electronic registration system Emehmon within 3 days of arrival, for temporary and permanent stays. There is a tourist tax charge for each day of your stay in Uzbekistan, which can be paid online by Uzbek debit card in local currency only. You should ask your hotel or local tour operator for advice.
For more information see my.gov.uz and www.advice.uz.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Uzbekistan.
Check the Uzbekistan travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan and the UK do not have reciprocal healthcare agreements. If you are sick or injured in Uzbekistan, you should seek medical attention locally. See Uzbekistan travel advice.
If you need emergency medical assistance, dial 103 (non-English speaking) and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance or medical assistance company if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.
The quality of medical care in Uzbekistan is generally poor. Hospitals are not the standard you would expect in the UK, including hygiene, equipment, and medication supplies. If possible, you should avoid all but basic or essential treatment in an emergency. Medical insurance companies usually refer patients with serious illness or injury to hospitals in Europe or New Delhi.
UK travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
Medicine
If you are on a prescription for any medication, you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in Uzbekistan. Certain medicines may not be available in Uzbekistan (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Uzbekistan to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
Working in Uzbekistan
If you are planning to move to Uzbekistan for work, you may need a visa. Read the Uzbekistan government’s guidance on working in Uzbekistan as a foreign national and how to get a visa. Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in London.
To apply for a job, you may need to provide a UK criminal records check (known as a DBS check) or a police record certificate.
Work permits for Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan’s immigration procedure follows these stages:
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the company you work for needs to apply for a Corporate Work License. This allows a company to hire a fixed number of foreign nationals. It is normally issued for 6 months to 1 year and can be further extended every year. Work permits will only be issued to a foreign national after confirmation that no local candidates for the job can fill the vacancy
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a work permit application will need to be submitted to the Ministry of Labour
The host company will need to provide you with a telex number and invitation letter for a work visa, which has been approved by the authorities.
Submit an application for your work visa to the Uzbek consulate in your home country or country of residence.
After you arrive in Uzbekistan, you must register your address at the local police within 3 days, and it will be issued for the period of the initial visa.
See www.advice.uz and my.gov.uz for more information.
Studying in Uzbekistan
If you plan to study in Uzbekistan, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. You should check visa requirements with the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in London. View more information about education opportunities and contacts of local education authorities.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Uzbekistan to check what fees you have to pay.
Tax
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Uzbekistan so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority if you have questions about double taxation relief.
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Uzbekistan. The Embassy cannot give advice on tax. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Uzbekistan.
Read guidance on:
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paying National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances
Benefits
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
Pensions
Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.
If you retire in Uzbekistan, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension.
Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.
Life certificates for UK State Pensions
If you get a life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.
Money and banking
Uzbekistan is a cash-based economy and paying with credit cards is not widespread. You can usually pay with credit card in hotels and restaurants in Tashkent. Visa is more widely accepted than Mastercard.
It is illegal to change money on the black market, and harsh penalties will be imposed on those caught doing so. Damaged or marked bank notes will not be accepted at official exchange locations. You can exchange your money at the bank. ATMs in Uzbekistan dispense Uzbek Sum, with some also giving out US dollars.
There are exchange offices in Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, as well as at Tashkent airport. Elsewhere, you will need to go to the bank.
It is difficult to exchange Uzbek Sum outside of Uzbekistan. You can change Sum to US dollars in a bank.
Accommodation and buying property
There is legislation in Uzbekistan that allows some foreign nationals the right to buy property in Uzbekistan. This is known as ‘Resolution 384’ (dated 13 July 2022). For advice about this legislation and to find out if you are eligible, you should contact a lawyer in Uzbekistan.
Driving in Uzbekistan
If you drive in Uzbekistan, make sure you have all registration papers, including motor insurance. You must carry your UK Driving Licence or an International Driving Permit at all times.
You can drive in Uzbekistan with a valid UK driving licence during your stay. You should make a copy of your driving licence translated either into Russian or Uzbek to make interaction with local authorities and traffic police easier, although it is not legally required. If you live in Uzbekistan or are staying in the country for an extended period, we recommend that you apply for a local driving licence, as you will need this to buy a car.
You can rent a car in Uzbekistan.
Many roads in Uzbekistan are poorly surfaced and badly-lit. Driving is on the right in Uzbekistan. Vehicles approaching a roundabout have the right of way over vehicles already on the roundabout.
Seatbelts for drivers and passengers are compulsory and the use of mobile phones while driving is prohibited.
There are security checkpoints at the city limits of Tashkent and other towns.
Read more about driving abroad.
If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact the UK issuing office, for example, the DVLA.
You can also read more guidance on travelling by road in Uzbekistan. If you wish to take your vehicle with you from the UK, read further guidance.
A new regulation has been introduced allowing only licensed taxis (with official signage and credit card payment) to operate in Uzbekistan. However, unlicensed taxis continue to operate. You should use official taxis where possible. Many taxis do not have rear seat belts, so you may wish to ask for a taxi with seat belts in the front and rear.
Many buses and taxis in Uzbekistan run on compressed natural gas and safety regulations are often not followed. Where possible you should use modern vehicles.
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Uzbekistan, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Voting
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your child is born in Uzbekistan, you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate.
If your child has a British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.
Deaths
If someone dies in Uzbekistan read our guidance on:
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what to do if someone dies abroad
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Pets
To bring a pet in Uzbekistan you will be required to show a vet passport (health certificate) and confirmation of anti-rabies vaccination prior to the travel. A translation in Uzbek or Russian languages will be required. Make sure you check the requirements for transporting pets with your airlines.
See what you need to do to export live animals from the UK. See travelling with pets for information on bringing pets to the UK.
Emergencies
Local emergency numbers are:
- 112 – emergency service
- 101 – fire brigade
- 102 – police
- 103 – ambulance
- 104 – emergency gas service
- 1050 – rescue service
- 109 – inquiry office
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Uzbekistan, read the information for victims of rape and sexual assault in Uzbekistan guide. See also general guidance for victims of rape and sexual assault abroad.
If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British Embassy Tashkent.
If you need guidance on child abduction, read the guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk of this.
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.
Last updated 26 January 2024 + show all updates
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This guidance has been reviewed and updated where necessary.
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'Visas and residency' and 'Work permits for Uzbekistan' sections have been updated.
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First published.