If you hold a passport from one of more than 60 visa-free countries, you can enter Uzbekistan without a visa and stay for up to 30 days—more than enough for the Central Asia International Hardware Expo (CAIHE) 2026 in Tashkent from 24 to 26 November. [1][2]
But “visa-free” is not the same as “no paperwork.” You still need a valid passport, a place to stay, hotel registration, and a clear sense of what short-term business travel allows. This guide answers the questions buyers ask before their first trip.
Who Qualifies for Uzbekistan’s 30-Day Visa-Free Entry
Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains an official list of countries whose ordinary passport holders can enter without a visa. As of this writing, that list covers more than 60 countries across Europe, Asia, the Gulf, the CIS, and the Americas. Eligible travelers receive an entry stamp at passport control allowing a stay of up to 30 days; no pre-departure visa or e-visa is required. [1]
The list includes European Union member states such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands; the United Kingdom; Japan; South Korea; Malaysia; Indonesia; Turkey; Saudi Arabia; the United Arab Emirates; and most CIS and neighboring countries. [1]
Chinese passport holders are covered by the visa-free arrangement and may also stay up to 30 days for business and tourist visits. [4][5]
How to Confirm Eligibility Before You Book
Use two sources: the Uzbekistan MFA list and your airline’s or IATA Timatic entry check. Border rules can be updated quickly, and eligibility depends on the exact passport you will travel on—ordinary, diplomatic, or service. If you hold dual citizenship, check the rules for the specific passport you plan to present. [1][3]
Do not rely on a travel agent’s memory or an older blog post. If your passport is from a country not on the visa-free list, the e-visa route below still works for most CAIHE visitors. [2]
Documents You Still Need at the Border
Visa-free travelers should carry:
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond the date you enter Uzbekistan.
- A return or onward ticket.
- The name and address of your hotel or host in Tashkent.
- A note of the purpose of your visit: attending CAIHE 2026 at Uzexpocentre.
Border officers may ask where you will stay and how long you plan to be in Uzbekistan. Keep your hotel booking or host details offline on your phone or printed. If you have a buyer registration confirmation for CAIHE 2026, have it ready. [6][7]
What 30 Days Allows on a Business Trip
Visa-free entry covers short-term business activity, including attending trade fairs, supplier meetings, contract negotiations, factory visits and market research. For most CAIHE buyers, this is the right entry type. It does not allow local employment, long-term work, or residence. [2][7]
If your trip extends beyond the fair into paid technical work, installation, or training for a local employer, check with the nearest Uzbekistan embassy before you travel. In practice, a first scouting trip built around CAIHE fits neatly inside the standard 30-day business visit.
Step-by-Step: Visa-Free Entry for CAIHE 2026
- Check your passport validity and remaining blank pages.
- Confirm your passport appears on the current Uzbekistan visa-free country list. [1]
- Book your flights into Tashkent International Airport. [3]
- Prepare your hotel address and CAIHE registration confirmation. [6]
- At immigration, state clearly that you are attending a trade fair at Uzexpocentre from 24 to 26 November.
- Receive the 30-day entry stamp and note the date by which you must leave.
- Make sure your hotel registers you within three working days of arrival. [7]
If you need an official invitation letter for your visa-free trip or a CAIHE buyer confirmation, contact the visitor team at [email protected] or +86-21-6390 6161 ext. 828. That is often enough to smooth questions at the border.
If You’re Not from a Visa-Free Country: E-Visa Basics
Most other buyers can apply online through Uzbekistan’s official e-visa portal. A typical e-visa is processed within a few working days and requires a passport copy, a photo, and payment. Apply at least two weeks before departure so you have time to correct any document issues. Use the official e-visa channel rather than third-party sites, which usually add fees for the same service. [2]
If your passport is not eligible for an e-visa, or you need a stay of more than 30 days, contact the nearest Uzbekistan embassy.
Hotel Registration Rules for Foreign Visitors
Uzbekistan requires hotels to register foreign citizens in the electronic monitoring system within three working days after arrival. Ask for written confirmation or keep the digital registration record. You may need to show it at departure or when checking into another hotel. If you stay in a private residence, your host handles registration. This is separate from your visa-free entry stamp and is not optional. [7]
Extending Beyond 30 Days and Overstaying
A 30-day visa-free stay is long enough for CAIHE plus initial follow-up meetings. Do not assume you can extend at the airport or hotel. Extensions are processed through migration authorities before your current stay expires. Overstaying—even by one or two days—can lead to fines, deportation, and difficulties with future entry. Track your arrival date carefully and leave within the stamp. [7][8]
Combining Uzbekistan with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
Uzbekistan’s visa-free entry does not cover neighboring countries automatically. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan maintain separate visa policies, and some passports that are visa-free for Uzbekistan are not visa-free for both. If you plan a multi-country route after CAIHE, check each country’s own Ministry of Foreign Affairs or e-visa portal before you leave. [9][10]
First-Time Border Tips
State your purpose simply: “I am attending CAIHE, a hardware trade fair at Uzexpocentre in Tashkent.” Have your hotel address, return ticket, and fair registration available. There is no need to explain your entire sourcing strategy. Uzbek officers generally focus on purpose, length of stay, and accommodation. [7]
Use Uzbek, Russian, or English in short, clear phrases. If an officer needs more detail, offer to show your CAIHE confirmation rather than handing over unnecessary personal financial documents. [7]
Plan Your Next Step: Pre-Register for CAIHE 2026
Uzbekistan has made entry unexpectedly easy for buyers. The harder part is using the trip well. Pre-register for CAIHE 2026 before you arrive, secure your buyer badge, and lock your supplier meetings while the exhibitor list is still fresh. This is a first-edition fair—no historical visitor numbers exist to quote—but the market signals behind it are concrete: more than 750 large-scale projects and over one million new homes planned by 2030, plus more than 200 international exhibitors expected at CAIHE. [6]
Contact the CAIHE team at [email protected] or +86-21-6390 6161 ext. 828 with your passport country and intended arrival dates. We will confirm the correct entry route for you.
FAQ: Visa-Free Entry for CAIHE 2026
What do I receive at immigration under the visa-free arrangement?
An entry stamp allowing a continuous stay of up to 30 days. It is not a visa document; it is the visa-free entry record in your passport. [1][7]
Does the 30-day count include my arrival and departure days?
Yes. The 30-day period is generally calculated in calendar days from the date of entry. Limit your stay to roughly 28 nights to leave a buffer for flight changes. [7]
Do I need an invitation letter from CAIHE?
Not for most visa-free travelers, but a registration or buyer confirmation can help answer border questions. If your passport is from a non-visa-free country, the e-visa process may not require an invitation depending on the application type. [2][6]
Is my passport valid for three months or six months?
Plan on at least six months beyond your entry date. Some reference sources may mention shorter periods, but six months avoids airline and border complications. [3]
Can I extend my stay at the hotel if negotiations run long?
No. Extension is not handled by hotels. You must apply through migration authorities before your 30-day stamp expires. [7]
Does Uzbekistan visa-free cover Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan?
No. Each country has its own policy. Check Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan separately if your CAIHE trip includes those markets. [9][10]
References
[1] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, “Visa-free countries list,” mfa.uz/en, accessed September 2026.
[2] Uzbekistan e-Visa official portal, “Electronic visa information and application,” e-visa.gov.uz, accessed September 2026.
[3] IATA Timatic, “Uzbekistan passport, visa and health requirements,” accessed September 2026.
[4] Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the People’s Republic of China, “Notice on visa-free entry for Chinese citizens,” accessed September 2026.
[5] Uzbekistan government presidential decree on visa-free entry expansion, official legal database, accessed September 2026.
[6] CAIHE official event announcement, Central Asia International Hardware Expo, Tashkent, 24–26 November 2026, Uzexpocentre.
[7] State Migration Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan, “Registration rules for foreign citizens and temporary stays,” accessed September 2026.
[8] Migration legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, administrative liability for overstay, accessed September 2026.
[9] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, “Visa-free countries list,” gov.kz, accessed September 2026.
[10] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, “Visa and entry information,” mfa.gov.kg, accessed September 2026.
