Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva have turned Uzbekistan into one of the fastest-growing trips from the UAE, with direct flights from Dubai and Sharjah of around three hours. Entry is generally easy: Emiratis need no visa, and most other UAE residents can use a cheap e-visa. Since 1 September 2026 there is also a new visa-free route for Indian passport holders who already hold certain Western visas.
Checked on 20 October 2026 against Uzbekistan’s official e-visa portal and published guidance on Presidential Decree PF-180. Sources at the end.
On this page
- The short answer by passport
- Indian passport holders: the new visa-free rule
- The Uzbekistan e-visa
- If the e-visa is not available for your passport
- Registration after you arrive
- Questions people ask
The short answer by passport
| Passport | Entry to Uzbekistan |
|---|---|
| UAE | Visa-free, up to 30 days |
| India | e-visa; or visa-free for up to 30 days if you hold a valid multiple-entry visa from a qualifying country (from 1 September 2026) |
| Philippines, Egypt, Sri Lanka | e-visa |
| Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria | Check the e-visa portal; if your nationality is not listed, apply at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Abu Dhabi |
Your UAE residence does not change which route your passport needs. It does help show you will leave on time: carry your residence visa and a return ticket.
Indian passport holders: the new visa-free rule
Under Presidential Decree PF-180, published on 29 August 2026 and in force from 1 September 2026, Indian citizens can enter Uzbekistan without a visa for up to 30 days if they hold:
- a valid multiple-entry tourist or business visa from the US, UK, a Schengen country, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan or South Korea; and
- an onward or return air ticket.
The stay cannot go beyond the expiry of that foreign visa. A single-entry Schengen visa does not qualify. If you don’t hold a qualifying visa, use the e-visa below — it costs only US$20.
The Uzbekistan e-visa
| Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single entry | US$20 |
| Double entry | US$35 |
| Multiple entry | US$50 |
- Apply on the official portal, e-visa.gov.uz.
- Upload your passport photo page and a photo, and enter your travel dates.
- Pay by card.
- The decision is emailed within about three working days, either as a PDF e-visa or a refusal without reasons.
- Print it. Electronic copies on a phone are not accepted.
Choose double entry if you plan a side trip to Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan and back. Avoid agency sites that copy the portal’s look and charge much more.
If the e-visa is not available for your passport
If your nationality is not on the e-visa list, apply at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Abu Dhabi. You will typically need a passport valid 6 months beyond your trip, your UAE residence visa and Emirates ID, an application form and photos, a return ticket and hotel bookings, and sometimes an invitation from a tour operator in Uzbekistan. Allow at least two weeks and confirm the current requirements with the Embassy before you book.
Registration after you arrive
Foreign visitors must be registered with the authorities during their stay. Hotels and licensed guesthouses do this automatically and give you a registration slip — keep every slip until you leave, as officers can ask for them at departure. If you stay with friends or in a private flat, registration must be arranged online or at a local office, usually within a few days of arrival.
Mistakes to avoid
- Relying on the new Indian visa-free rule with a single-entry or expired Western visa.
- Showing the e-visa only on your phone.
- Losing hotel registration slips before departure.
- A single-entry e-visa for a trip that crosses into Kazakhstan and back.
Questions people ask
Do Indians need a visa for Uzbekistan?
Not since 1 September 2026, if they hold a valid multiple-entry visa from the US, UK, Schengen area, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan or South Korea, plus an onward ticket. Otherwise, a US$20 e-visa.
Do UAE citizens need a visa for Uzbekistan?
No. Emirati passport holders can stay up to 30 days visa-free.
How long does the Uzbekistan e-visa take?
About three working days. Apply at least a week before travel.
Related guides
- Kazakhstan visa for UAE residents
- Azerbaijan visa for UAE residents
- Armenia visa for UAE residents
- Georgia entry rules for UAE residents
Sources
- Republic of Uzbekistan — official e-visa portal: e-visa.gov.uz
- Presidential Decree PF-180 (visa-free entry for qualifying Indian citizens from 1 September 2026), as reported by Wego, 31 August 2026
- Advantour — Uzbekistan visa regulations, updated 15 September 2026
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 20 October 2026. Rechecked quarterly. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com — it gets fixed and logged.