Do You Need a Visa for Uzbekistan? A 2026 Guide for Summit Attendees

If you're planning to join us at Median26 in Tashkent, the first question is almost always the same: do I need a visa to enter Uzbekistan? For most attendees the answer is reassuring — Uzbekistan has spent the last few years dramatically opening its borders, and a large share of nationalities now enter visa-free or with a quick electronic visa.

This guide walks through the entry routes, who qualifies for each, and the documents to have ready. Rules do change, so always confirm against the official Uzbekistan MFA and e-visa portals (linked at the end) before booking travel.

1. Visa-free entry (90+ countries)

Citizens of around 90 countries can enter Uzbekistan without any visa for stays of up to 30 days. This covers all EU/EEA member states, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, China and many more. Notably, US citizens became visa-free for tourist stays of up to 30 days from 1 January 2026, following a presidential order signed in November 2025 — so American attendees no longer need an e-visa either.

If your country is on the visa-free list, you simply arrive with a passport valid for at least six months and go through immigration — no paperwork in advance. Median26 runs across two main days in March 2027 (with side events either side), so a 30-day allowance leaves plenty of room to explore Tashkent and the region.

2. The e-visa (most other nationalities)

If you're not eligible for visa-free entry, Uzbekistan's e-visa system is fast and fully online — it has operated since 2018. You apply on the official e-visa portal, upload a passport scan and a photo, pay the fee by card, and typically receive the approved visa by email within a couple of business days.

• Fees: roughly US$20 for a single-entry visa, US$35 for double-entry and US$50 for a multiple-entry visa.
• A single or multiple-entry e-visa is valid for 30 days — right for most summit attendees.
• Apply at least a week before departure to leave a buffer for processing.
• Print a copy of the approved e-visa and keep a digital copy on your phone — border officers may ask for either.

3. Business and conference visas

Business or conference visas exist for longer or multi-entry stays. If you're attending as a sponsor, exhibitor or speaker and need an official invitation letter for a business visa, contact our team early — we can help with supporting documentation.

Documents to have ready

1. Passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.
2. Return or onward ticket (occasionally requested at immigration).
3. Proof of accommodation — a hotel booking is enough.
4. Your e-visa printout, if applicable.

Once your entry is sorted, the next step is getting from the airport to the venue and finding a place to stay. Our travel guide covers partner hotels with summit rates and airport transfer options.