New regime removes visa requirement for stays of up to 30 days, as Uzbekistan and India seek to strengthen tourism and people-to-people ties
Uzbekistan has introduced a 30-day visa-free regime for Indian citizens, significantly simplifying travel between the two countries and opening new opportunities for tourism, business and cultural exchanges.
The move was announced during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Uzbekistan, where he held talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on August 30. The Uzbek president said the new visa-free arrangement would make an important contribution to the development of tourism between the two countries.
Under the new arrangement, Indian passport holders can enter Uzbekistan without obtaining a visa for stays of up to 30 days. Uzbekistan’s official visa information confirms that its 30-day visa-free regime applies to eligible citizens regardless of the purpose of travel, subject to the applicable entry and stay requirements.
Easier access for Indian travellers
The visa reform is expected to make Uzbekistan more accessible to Indian leisure travellers, tour groups and short-term business visitors by removing the need for advance visa applications for qualifying stays.
The decision comes as Uzbekistan seeks to deepen its tourism relationship with India and broaden international visitor arrivals. The two countries have also agreed on a tourism cooperation programme covering 2026–2028, as part of a wider package of bilateral agreements signed during the visit.
The agreement reflects a broader push by both governments to expand cultural and humanitarian exchanges alongside economic cooperation.
14 direct flights a week
Air connectivity is another important element of the growing travel relationship.
Uzbekistan and India are currently connected by 14 direct flights a week, according to President Mirziyoyev. The existing connectivity provides a foundation for increased tourism flows following the introduction of visa-free travel.
Improved market access combined with direct air services could encourage more Indian travellers to explore Uzbekistan, particularly for short breaks and multi-city itineraries.
For Uzbekistan, the Indian market offers significant potential across leisure, cultural, heritage, wellness and business travel.
Strengthening tourism ties
The visa-free initiative forms part of a broader effort to raise the level of Uzbekistan–India cooperation.
During the August 30 talks, the two governments signed a package of agreements covering areas including trade, investment, education, healthcare, environmental protection and tourism. The tourism cooperation programme for 2026–2028 is intended to provide a framework for further collaboration between the two countries.
The leaders also highlighted the importance of cultural and humanitarian exchanges in strengthening bilateral relations.
Uzbekistan has been steadily expanding its international tourism offer, with destinations such as Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva attracting travellers interested in Silk Road history, Islamic architecture, cultural heritage and Central Asian traditions.
A boost for Indian outbound travel
The introduction of visa-free access comes at a time when Indian outbound tourism is expanding and travellers are increasingly looking for destinations that combine cultural experiences with convenient connectivity.
For Indian visitors, Uzbekistan offers a relatively compact Central Asian itinerary, with historic cities and major heritage attractions accessible within a single trip. The removal of the visa requirement could make the country particularly attractive for short-duration holidays, group travel and repeat visits.
The new policy also strengthens the broader tourism relationship between the two countries, with easier entry complementing the existing direct air links.
With the 30-day visa-free regime now in place, Uzbekistan is positioning itself as an increasingly accessible Central Asian destination for Indian travellers, while the two governments look to translate stronger diplomatic and economic ties into greater movement of people, tourism and business.
Editorial verification: The 30-day visa-free arrangement and 14 weekly direct flights are confirmed by the official website of the President of Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan’s official foreign ministry information independently lists India among countries covered by the 30-day visa-free regime.
