Uzbekistan Investor Visa: Your Complete 2024 Guide

By the end of this guide, you’ll understand the visa categories, qualifying investments, residency rules, family options, and the path to Uzbek citizenship—all backed by reliable sources.

Visa Categories: E-Visa vs. Investor Visa

Uzbekistan offers two primary entry routes for foreigners: a short-stay e-Visa and detailed information on the long-term investor visa for extended residency. The e-Visa is ideal if you plan under 30 days in Uzbekistan for business or tourism. It’s fully online—upload your documents, pay the fee, and await approval via email. Extensions aren’t possible on an e-Visa.

The investor visa, by contrast, grants you residency rights for up to one year, renewable based on your investment. You can depart and return to the country freely without jeopardizing your status.

E-Visa Application at a Glance

Complete the online form on the MFA portal.
Upload a passport scan and photograph.
Pay the fee with a credit card.
Receive your e-Visa via email in 3–5 business days.

Investor Visa Essentials

Issued to those who contribute capital into state-approved ventures or purchase government bonds.
Valid for 12 months and renewable.
Requires a support letter from the Investment Promotion Agency.
No minimum stay requirement—your visa remains valid even if you’re abroad.

Investment Routes: Capital, Business & Bonds

Rather than a straight donation, you have these options to qualify:

Direct capital injection into state-approved ventures.
Equity participation in local enterprises.
Purchase of government bonds tied to infrastructure or regional projects.

This flexibility lets you tailor your strategy—whether you back e-commerce startups in Tashkent or buy bonds funding new logistics hubs.

Maintaining & Renewing Your Residency

You won’t need to live in Uzbekistan full-time to keep your permit. Absence from the country doesn’t void it, provided you renew on schedule. Renewal cycles can extend your permit up to ten years, depending on how much you’ve invested.

Renewal window opens 60 days before expiration.
You’ll need an updated investment confirmation.
Health insurance and local registration remain mandatory.

Your Path to Uzbek Citizenship

After five consecutive years on the investor visa, you can apply for citizenship. Key requirements include demonstrating language proficiency, renouncing any other citizenship (dual nationality isn’t permitted), a clean criminal record, and proof you’ve maintained your qualifying investment. Once naturalized, you’ll hold a passport that grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 62 countries, including Turkey, the UAE, and China.

Family Reunification Made Simple

Your spouse, children, and dependent parents can also obtain residence permits under this scheme. Each family member requires a separate investment contribution, but the paperwork follows the same streamlined process: support letter, medical clearance, and background check.

Application Workflow & Timelines

Choose your investment vehicle and transfer funds.
Obtain a visa-support letter from the Investment Promotion Agency.
Apply at the nearest Uzbek embassy or via the Investment Agency’s portal.
Receive an entry visa sticker (if applying offline) or confirmation email.
Register with local authorities within 15 days of arrival.

Processing typically takes 20–30 days, though e-Visas may arrive within a week.

Why Uzbekistan? The Economic View

Since the 2019 Law on “Investment and Investment Activities”, Uzbekistan has opened its doors to foreign capital with clear rules and incentives. The program channels funds into regional development, e-commerce platforms, logistics corridors, and export-oriented sectors—helping transform Central Asia’s most populous nation into a trade hub.

Your Next Chapter in Uzbekistan

Whether you seek exposure to a rising market, a five-year visa path, or broader mobility with an Uzbek passport, the investor visa delivers. With multiple investment routes, flexible residency terms, and family options, you can craft a plan that fits your goals. Dive deeper, speak with a registered local advisor, and take your first step toward living and investing in Uzbekistan today.