Uzbekistan’s new ‘visa-free’ rule for Indians is far narrower than viral claims suggest. Only Indian citizens holding a valid multiple-entry Business or Tourist visa from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, any Schengen state, the UK or the US qualify for 30-day visa-free entry, and they must carry a confirmed onward or return air ticket when entering.
Is Uzbekistan visa-free for Indians? If you have seen claims that Uzbekistan is now visa-free for Indians, here is the catch: it is not for every Indian passport holder. The 30-day visa-free entry applies only to a specific group of Indian travellers who meet one condition tied to their existing travel documents, not to Indian passport holders as a whole.
For India, Uzbekistan has always held a certain pull. Samarkand's turquoise domes and Registan Square, Bukhara's centuries-old trading lanes, and Tashkent's more modern Central Asian skyline have shown up in itineraries and history books alike, built on decades of trade, migration and cultural exchange between the two countries. The real Uzbekistan visa rule is narrower than the broad 'visa-free' claim doing the rounds online. Here is who actually qualifies, how long you can stay, and what you need to know before booking your trip.
The 30-day Uzbekistan visa-free facility is available to Indian citizens who hold a valid multiple-entry Business or Tourist visa issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, a Schengen Agreement member state, the United Kingdom or the United States.
The confirmation follows an announcement last month by Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who unveiled the 30-day visa-free plan for Indian citizens and framed it as a step toward closer people-to-people ties, along with a boost to tourism and business links between the two nations. The Embassy of India in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, has since issued an official travel update confirming that Indian citizens holding valid multiple-entry Business or Tourist visa/s from select countries are permitted to stay in Uzbekistan for up to 30 days without a Uzbekistan visa.
There is an additional requirement that can easily be overlooked. Travellers must also carry a confirmed air ticket to India or a third country when entering Uzbekistan. The qualifying international visa must remain valid for the traveller to use this simplified entry arrangement.
Indian passport holders can use the new facility if their valid multiple-entry Business or Tourist visa was issued by:
Australia
Canada
Japan
New Zealand
South Korea
Schengen Agreement member states
United Kingdom
United States
These conditions mean an Indian traveller cannot assume that simply holding a passport from India is enough for 30-day visa-free entry. Those who do not meet the stated requirements must follow Uzbekistan's applicable visa procedure.
Eligible Indian travellers can stay in Uzbekistan for up to 30 days from the date of entry without obtaining a separate Uzbekistan visa. The new procedure is part of measures introduced to simplify entry for foreign travellers who already hold recognised international visas.
It is worth noting that the widely reported August announcement referred to a broader 30-day visa-free regime for Indian citizens. The subsequent implementing rules clarified that the currently applicable facility is tied to holders of qualifying multiple-entry visas, which is the real rule now in effect.
The timing is significant for tourism. Uzbekistan is known for the old Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, monumental Islamic architecture, tiled madrasas and traditional bazaars. The country and India have also signed a 2026-2028 tourism cooperation programme, with both sides looking to expand tourist exchanges and introduce new joint travel initiatives.
The new entry arrangement adds another layer of convenience for Indian travellers already holding qualifying international visas. For a trip built around Samarkand's grand Registan Square, Bukhara's historic streets or Khiva's walled old city, the paperwork is now considerably lighter for those who qualify.
Is Uzbekistan visa-free for Indians?
Not for all Indians. Eligible Indian passport holders can enter Uzbekistan without a separate Uzbekistan visa and stay for up to 30 days, subject to the applicable entry requirements.
Who can enter Uzbekistan visa-free from India?
Indian citizens with a valid multiple-entry Tourist or Business visa issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, a Schengen member state, the UK or the US can use the 30-day visa-free facility.
How long can Indians stay in Uzbekistan without a visa?
Eligible Indian travellers can stay in Uzbekistan for up to 30 days from the date of entry without obtaining a separate Uzbekistan visa.
Do Indians need a return ticket for Uzbekistan visa-free entry?
Yes. Eligible travellers must carry a confirmed air ticket to India or onward to a third country when entering Uzbekistan.