Uzbekistan Travel Information

Cases of the coronavirus in Uzbekistan have been reported. An exception state is declared. The borders are closed and commercial flights are canceled. According to Abbreviationfinder, SKD stands for Uzbekistan in geography.

Safety

Most trips to Uzbekistan are made without special problems. However, be aware of the border areas of Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

It is not recommended to travel to the border areas towards Tajikistan because of the risks associated with land mines. In the border areas against Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan there is a risk of undone explosives.

Pay special attention to border crossings from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan. These can be closed at high bilateral tension and around holidays. When crossing, use official border crossings and check the status of these before departure.

The Fergana Valley is a high-voltage area. Especially after the events in Andijan in 2005, where several people were killed after shooting protesters.

When traveling abroad, there is always a possibility that you may be exposed to unpleasant incidents, violence or other crime. There is a risk of being attacked by terrorist attacks in most places in the world. Travelers should always be alert and take general precautions.

  • Make sure you have travel insurance with good coverage
  • Listen to local advice and, if possible, follow the local media
  • Always carry a certified copy of your passport and visa. Keep passports and copy of passports in different locations.
  • Avoid large crowds such as political mass demonstrations and demonstrations as well as places where political demonstrations have been announced.
  • Use common sense. Travel alone at night is not advised.
  • Show caution in traffic. Many accidents occur.

The risk of terrorist incidents in Uzbekistan is considered low. There are radical Islamist groups that have a stated goal of establishing an Islamic caliphate in Central Asia. Western personnel and interests are to a small extent the target of such groups.

There is widespread intolerance against homosexuality, which is punishable by up to three years in Uzbekistan.

  • Countryaah: Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan. Check to find information of population, geography, history, and economy about the capital city.

Uzbekistan is located in an active seismic zone. An earthquake in 1966 destroyed much of the capital Tashkent, despite measuring only 5.2 on Richter’s scale. Since 1966 there have been a number of serious earthquakes in the country. The latest major earthquake, which measured 6.1 and killed 13 people, happened in July 2011 in the Fergana Valley.

Norwegian citizens staying for short or long periods in Uzbekistan are encouraged to register on reiseregistrering.no.

Emergency telephones: Fire 001, police 002, ambulance 003, gas leak 104.

In crisis and emergencies, travelers can contact the UD’s 24-hour operating center on tel: +47 23 95 00 00 or by e-mail: UDops@mfa.no

No international travel insurance companies are established in Uzbekistan.

Major Landmarks in Uzbekistan

Entry

Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.

Uzbekistan is visa-free for Norwegian citizens with a stay of up to thirty days. You can read more about the country’s visa regulations here.

Norwegians apply for a visa at the Uzbek Embassy in London. Information related to obtaining a visa for Uzbekistan can be found at the Uzbek Embassy in London.

Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Address: 41 Holland Park, London, W11 3RP
Phone: 44 (0) 20 7229 7679;
Fax: 44 (0) 20 7229 7029
Opening Hours:
Working Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm
Consular Services: Monday to Thursday 9am to 1pm (Friday 9am to 6pm with break from 1pm to 3pm)
E-mail: info @ uzbekembassy.org
Website: http://www.uzbekembassy.org/

Import regulations to Uzbekistan: The regulations should be checked individually by product type. See http://www.customs.uz/ru/ (Uzbek / Russian only) or contact the State Customs Board of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Avenue 3, Tashkent, 100003 Uzbekistan. Tel: +998 (371) 120-76-33. A customs declaration must be completed upon entry.

Export regulations from Uzbekistan and import regulations to Norway should be checked individually by product type. Typical tourist purchases are carpets, wood crafts, stone, ceramics, silk and works of art. Carpets and paintings must be registered before execution. Make sure the seller obtains the necessary export license.

Imports of goods from Uzbekistan to Norway are subject to normal import regulations. Check these before purchasing in Uzbekistan is recommended.

Uzbek citizens must have a visa to enter Norway. Schengen visa applied for and issued at the Italian embassy in Tashkent:

Embassy of Italy
Address: Ulitsa Yusuf Khos Khojib 40, 100017 Tashkent
Phone: +998 (71) 252-11-20/252-11-23
Fax: + 998 (71) 120-66-06
Email: segreteria.tashkent @ esteri.it

Website: http://www.ambtashkent.esteri.it/ambasciata_tashkent

Health

Coronavirus (covid-19): Cases of coronavirus and deaths related to the virus in Uzbekistan have been reported. All cases must have been visitors.

The borders are closed and commercial flights are canceled. There are increasingly stringent entry and exit restrictions, as well as travel restrictions between regions inland.

You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.

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The hospitals are of poor standard compared to European conditions. For serious illness, transport abroad is recommended.

No vaccination is required to travel to Uzbekistan, but drinking tap water is not recommended. However, bottled water is readily available and the food is consistently good quality.

The hospitals are of poor standard compared to European conditions. For less serious illness, the hotels can recommend a doctor. For serious illness, transport abroad is recommended. It is therefore important to have good travel insurance before departure.

For official health professional travel advice, refer to the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

Practical information

Uzbek is the official language. Russian is spoken by most. Few master English.

Uzbekistan is located in the UTC +5 time zone and has no alternation between summer and winter time.

The telephone system can be unstable and the authorities have had a low threshold for closing communication lines. GSM is available in Uzbekistan and now covers virtually the entire country. Telephone services at the hotels are very expensive and it is recommended to check the prices for mobile phone use. There is tight control over the Internet. There are internet cafes in Tashkent and other major cities. According to allcitycodes, Uzbekistan area code is +998.

Uzbekistan (UZS) was introduced as national currency in November 1993 as a replacement for Soviet/Russian ruble. Although prices are often quoted in USD, only UZS is the legal means of payment. See today’s course here.

Uzbekistan uses 220 volts with standard European plugs. Power supply is largely stable in cities, but there is a power outage/rationing in rural areas.

Banks are normally open from 09:30 to 16:00 on weekdays, public offices from 09:00 to 18:00 on weekdays, shops from 10:00 to 20:00, grocery stores often longer. The food markets are open every day of the year.

Uzbekistan has a desert climate with long, hot summers (often above 40 ° C) and mild winters. Precipitation mainly in winter and spring. The average temperature is +27 ° C in summer and -2 ° C in winter (but can drop to -40 ° C).

Regular holidays: January 1 (New Year’s Day), March 8 (Women’s Day), March 21 (Navruz, Spring Solstice), May 9 (Memorial and Honor Day), September 1 (Independence Day/National Day), October 1 (Teachers’ Day), December 8 (Constitution Day). Moving holidays: Id-ul-Fitr, end of Ramadan and Id-ul-Azha, end of hajj.

There are car rental companies in Uzbekistan, but it is recommended to hire a car including a driver. The road standard is low and the signage is poor. Few people speak English and the driving culture is different from European. Driver’s car can be booked through most hotels in Tashkent. It is recommended to take only public. The price should be agreed in advance and bargaining is allowed, especially for longer trips. Tashkent has a reliable subway system, but there is great congestion during rush hour. The railway can be perceived as rather uncomfortable, except for the modern fast trains from Tashkent to Samarkand and Bukhara (which is considered safer than bus or car). Uzbekistan Airways has routes between Tashkent and Samarkand, Bukhara, Andijan, Khiva, Navoi and Namangan, among others.

Uzbek is the official language of the country. Russian is spoken by many in the cities. Few master English. At the larger and more popular hotels and some restaurants, the staff usually speak some English.

Uzbekistan is a conservative society. Attention is paid to courtesy and respect, especially to women. Formal attire should be worn in a meeting setting. Also in an informal context, the Uzbek are often well-dressed, women often in traditional costume. Uzbek people are very hospitable, and invite guests for dinner, sightseeing, etc.

At the biggest hotels in Tashkent there are ATMs that accept Visa and MasterCard. ATMs pay Uzbek (UZS) or USD. It is possible to exchange USD and Euros in banks or official exchange offices at the larger hotels. It is a criminal offense to exchange on the black exchange. Some restaurants and shops in Tashkent accept credit cards, but may incur a charge of up to ten percent. Although prices are often quoted in USD, it is illegal to pay with USD in Uzbekistan.

It is not recommended to photograph sensitive areas, such as government buildings, infrastructure and military installations. There are severe penalties for the use and possession of drugs. The promissory limit in Uzbekistan is set to 0.

The conditions in the prisons differ significantly from those found in Norway.