As of 1 January 2026, Uzbekistan has lifted visa requirements for US travellers, allowing US citizens to enter the country visa-free for up to 30 days. The new policy follows a presidential decree issued on 3 November and replaces previous regulations, characterised by age restrictions.
The first rumours about Uzbekistan introducing a 30-day visa-free stay for all US citizens circulated at the start of 2025. While Uzbekistan’s president Mirziyoyev issued a first decree on 15 May 2025, no timeline was set for the new regulation to go into effect. A second decree followed on 3 November 2025, which has resulted in the new policy starting from 1 January 2026.
“The new policy represents an important step toward deepening mutual understanding and expanding business, academic, and cultural exchanges between the two countries. The visa-free regime will enable U.S. citizens to travel more freely throughout Uzbekistan, discover its rich historical heritage, and explore its investment and tourism opportunities”, Uzbekistan’s government stated in a press release.
Previously, children under 16 traveling for tourism purposes were able to enter Uzbekistan without a visa if they were accompanied by a legal guardian, with the maximum stay capped at 90 days. Moreover, travellers aged 55 and over were able to visit Uzbekistan for leisure purposes for up to 30 days without a visa.
#Uzbekistan allows citizens to invest in the U.S. market, under a decree by @president_uz Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The move also creates a U.S.–Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council to boost economic ties. The Council was agreed during Mirziyoyev’s Nov 2025 U.S. visit.#NewYear
— Uzbek Now (@UzbekNow) January 1, 2026
New regulations, no exceptions
That policy has been scrapped. As of 1 January 2026, all US citizens qualify for a visa-free stay for up to 30 days, with no age restrictions. This entails that no visa, e-visa, or invitation letter is required to enter the country, henceforward.
The move is part of Uzbekistan’s goal to reach 15 million visitors by 2030. Research, including a 2024 study by scientists from Mallorca’s University of the Balearic Islands, has shown that tourism is negatively impacted by visa requirements. With that in mind, Uzbekistan already introduced visa-free entry for six Middle Eastern countries in October 2025: Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.
Aside from changing its visa policy, Uzbekistan has also been putting efforts into its marketing campaigns. Special attention has been given towards promoting historic Silk Road cities, including Bukhara, Khiva, and Samarkand.
Both strategies seem to be working towards increasing tourist numbers. Statistics show that 8.2 million foreign tourists visited Uzbekistan in 2024, an increase of just under 25% year-on-year. Since the end of 2025, Uzbekistan has officially joined the ranks of the world’s fastest-growing tourism destinations, confirming its rapid rise on the global travel map. According to data released by UN Tourism, the country ranked among the top seven destinations worldwide for growth in international tourist arrivals during the January to September 2025 period. Uzbekistan should thus be on track to reach its 15 million target sooner than initially thought.
