Uzbekistan will offer Indians 30 days visa-free under a reciprocal plan unveiled during PM Modi's visit on 29-30 August 2026, paired with a 2026-2028 tourism programme and 14 weekly flights. It is announced, not yet in force.
Cover image: the Registan Square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan at midday — photo by Stomac, CC BY-SA 2.0 fr, via Wikimedia Commons.
Uzbekistan visa-free for Indians is coming, but not yet. Uzbekistan announced a 30-day visa-free regime for Indian citizens, and for Uzbek citizens visiting India, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Tashkent on 29-30 August 2026. The measure was presented as reciprocal and is tied to a new tourism cooperation programme for 2026-2028 and 14 flights per week between the two countries. As of 31 August 2026, no effective date has been published, and the Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa-free list had not been updated to add India, so Indian passport holders must still follow current rules.
If you were planning Samarkand, Bukhara or Tashkent on an Indian passport, the answer today is still e-Visa before travel. The announcement signals a faster border in the near future, but until the MFA list and India's visa portal are updated, you should apply as before and watch for the official start notice.
What did Uzbekistan announce for Indian citizens?
The Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan announced the "introduction of a 30-day visa-free regime for citizens of the two countries," language carried by VisasNews on 31 August 2026. The outlet described the plan as reciprocal and intended to boost tourism, citing the presidency readout of talks between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29-30 August.
Travel Tomorrow, also on 31 August, reported the same package: a tourism cooperation programme for 2026-2028 was signed alongside the visa-free plan, with Uzbek authorities linking visa ease and air connectivity to visitor growth. Both outlets stressed the proposal has been announced at the political level and is now awaiting administrative implementation.
- Who: Indian ordinary passport holders visiting Uzbekistan, and Uzbek citizens visiting India, up to 30 days
- How: visa-free, reciprocal basis
- When announced: 31 August 2026, during Modi's 29-30 August state visit
- Supporting measure: India-Uzbekistan tourism cooperation programme 2026-2028
- Flights: 14 services per week cited in the readout
For context on how regional visa ease works today, see our guides to Do I Need a Visa for Thailand from India? and Do I Need a Visa for Bali? Indonesia Entry Rules for 2026, which explain the difference between visa-free, e-Visa and visa-on-arrival tracks that Uzbekistan also uses.
When will the 30-day visa-free entry actually start?
Not yet. VisasNews noted on 31 August that the effective date had not been announced and that the Uzbek MFA's general 30-day visa-free list still did not include India. India's list of signed outcomes for the visit confirms the 2026-2028 tourism programme but does not list a visa exemption, and the joint statement issued by India also omits it. That gap is normal. A political announcement precedes embassy and border-system updates.
What to watch for before you book visa-free:
- An update to the Uzbek MFA page for visa-free nationals adding India and specifying passport categories (ordinary, diplomatic, service) and conditions (purpose of visit, registration, exit requirements)
- A note on the Indian e-Visa portal reflecting reciprocity for Uzbek citizens, which will confirm the other half of the arrangement
- A NOTAM-style advisory from airlines updating Timatic, so check-in staff board you without a visa
Until those three appear, airlines will still ask for an e-Visa at departure. Do not attempt to travel visa-free on the basis of press reports alone.
What is the current visa rule for Indians visiting Uzbekistan today?
| Nationality and passport | Current rule (as of 31 Aug 2026) | After implementation (announced) |
|---|---|---|
| Indian ordinary passport — tourism or business | e-Visa via Uzbekistan MFA portal before travel; single or multiple entry options, typically 30 days; 5-day visa-free transit available only under strict conditions (transit ticket, registered carrier) | 30 days visa-free for stays up to 30 days (details pending) |
| Indian diplomatic passport | 60 days visa-free already in force | No change expected |
| Uzbek citizens visiting India | Indian e-Visa required unless exempt | 30 days visa-free in India (reciprocal, pending) |
In practice today, Indian travellers apply online, receive an e-Visa approval letter, and present it on arrival. The 5-day visa-free transit is not a general short-stay alternative. It applies only if you meet the airline and routing conditions published by the MFA. If your plan is Samarkand plus Bukhara over 7-10 days, use the standard e-Visa.
Visa planning across Asia varies widely. For alternatives, compare Vietnam e-Visa Requirements for 2026 and Do I Need a Visa for Malaysia from India?, which show how e-Visa validity, stay length and extension rules differ even within Southeast Asia.
How will flights and tourism cooperation support the plan?
The readout linked visa ease to 14 flights per week between India and Uzbekistan. That frequency keeps Samarkand and Tashkent within one stop of major Indian metros and supports the 2026-2028 tourism programme that both ministries signed. The programme covers marketing, heritage routes along the Silk Road cities, and training exchanges for hospitality staff, according to Travel Tomorrow's summary of the presidency note.
For Indian travellers, the practical effect when the regime goes live will be simpler multi-city Silk Road itineraries. A 30-day visa-free window covers a Tashkent arrival, domestic flights or trains to Samarkand and Bukhara, and a return via Delhi or Mumbai without a separate visa application or fee. Tour operators in Tashkent were quoted by VisasNews as expecting stronger shoulder-season demand once the start date is set, especially for March-May and September-November when Central Asia is at its most temperate.
Until then, book refundable air tickets and apply for the e-Visa on the usual timeline, typically 3-5 working days before departure. Keep your passport valid for at least six months beyond entry and carry printed proof of onward travel, hotel bookings and travel insurance, which Uzbek border officers may check.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Uzbekistan right now?
Yes, if you travel before the official start date. Indian ordinary passport holders still need an Uzbekistan e-Visa for tourism or business. A limited 5-day visa-free transit exists only with specific routing and carrier conditions.
When will Uzbekistan become visa-free for Indians?
No date has been set. The plan was announced on 31 August 2026 during PM Modi's visit on 29-30 August. It will become reality only when the Uzbek MFA updates its visa-free list and publishes entry conditions. Watch the MFA and e-Visa portal for the notice.
Is the 30-day stay reciprocal for Uzbek citizens visiting India?
That is the stated intent. Uzbek authorities described the measure as reciprocal for citizens of both countries. India's e-Visa portal will need to reflect the exemption for Uzbek nationals before it can be used.
Will the visa-free stay allow work or long-term residence?
No. Like most visa-free regimes, it will be for short visits such as tourism, business meetings and family visits. Work, study and residence will still require the appropriate visa. Conditions will be clarified in the official MFA update.
Should I delay booking Samarkand hotels and trains?
No. Book as normal and use the existing e-Visa. The e-Visa process is quick and inexpensive, and tickets and hotels for autumn remain in high demand. Switch to visa-free entry only after the start date and rules are published.
Sources
- VisasNews — Uzbekistan announces 30-day visa exemption for Indian citizens (31 Aug 2026)
- Travel Tomorrow — Uzbekistan and India sign tourism cooperation programme as 30-day visa-free travel announced (31 Aug 2026)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan — visa information
- Government of India — e-Visa facility
Post a comment