Most international buyers can fly to Tashkent without a visa. Uzbekistan grants 30-day visa-free entry to passport holders from more than 60 countries [1], so a buyer visiting CAIHE 2026 — 24–26 November at Uzexpocentre — can arrive, clear immigration, and go straight to the hardware halls without a consulate appointment. We’ve written this as the pre-departure checklist we wish every first-time visitor had.
Visa-Free Entry: Are You Eligible?
Start with your passport. Uzbekistan’s visa-free list covers most European Union member states, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, several Gulf states, and China. If your passport is from one of the 60+ eligible countries, you can enter for business meetings, supplier talks, and trade fair visits without an e-visa [1].
Visa-free entry works for the commercial side of a trade fair: meeting exhibitors, comparing samples, signing memorandums of understanding, and touring Tashkent. It does not cover taking up a job or being paid locally by an Uzbek employer. Keep your stay focused on B2B sourcing and you stay inside the rules.
If you are unsure, check the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs list before booking. Border decisions still rest with the officer, but a printed event confirmation helps.
Documents You Still Need at the Border
Even without a visa, do not show up with only a smile.
- Passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date [2]
- Return or onward ticket out of Uzbekistan
- Hotel booking confirmation, because hotels handle your visitor registration
- Printed CAIHE visitor badge or registration confirmation
- Travel insurance — not mandatory at immigration, but we recommend medical and trip coverage
Officers may ask why you are in Tashkent. A clear answer — “I am attending CAIHE, the hardware trade fair at Uzexpocentre” — plus a printed badge confirmation is usually enough. Keep the entry stamp page visible; you will need it for registration and exit.
Entry, Stamps, and Registration
When you pass through immigration, your passport is stamped with your entry date. Keep that date in mind: the visa-free period counts from the day you enter, not the day you book.
Uzbekistan requires foreign visitors to be registered temporarily. If you stay in a hotel, the hotel registers you electronically at check-in. If you stay in private accommodation, your host must complete registration within three working days through the official Emehmon system [3]. Ask for proof of registration before you leave the hotel or host — you may be asked for it on exit.
Overstaying the allowed period triggers a fine and can complicate future entries. Set a calendar reminder for day 25.
If You Need an E-Visa Instead
Buyers from countries outside the 60+ visa-free group can apply online. The official portal is e-visa.gov.uz, and most single-entry applications are processed within three working days [4]. The fee is modest and paid by card online. The e-visa is issued electronically and checked against your passport at the border, so you do not need to visit an embassy.
Apply before you book non-refundable flights. A rejected or delayed application should not decide your travel dates. If your passport qualifies for visa-free entry, skip the e-visa entirely.
Getting from Tashkent Airport to Uzexpocentre
Fly into Tashkent International Airport (TAS). The airport is connected to the city by taxi and app-based ride services; from the arrivals hall to Uzexpocentre, allow 30 minutes depending on traffic. Pre-book a transfer through your hotel or the CAIHE buyer programme if you are traveling with samples or a team.
Uzexpocentre is the venue, and CAIHE 2026 takes place in Pavilions 3 and 4. We recommend arriving the day before the 24 November opening so you can collect your badge, test the commute, and walk the hall map before the first meeting block.
Why This Trip Is Worth the Checklist
Tashkent is not a random stop. Uzbekistan’s official development programme plans 750+ large-scale projects and more than one million new homes by 2030 [5]. That is the demand signal behind CAIHE: the region’s first dedicated international hardware and tools trade fair. It is organized by Koelnmesse and Inter Dialog, with the China Chamber of Commerce for Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) and CCI Uzbekistan as partners.
As the organizing team, we are honest about one thing: this is a first edition. There are no past visitor numbers to quote. What we can verify is the exhibitor commitment: 200+ international exhibitors are confirmed across hardware, power tools, fasteners, abrasives, PPE, and smart-lock categories. Early buyers get a first look at suppliers entering this market, and early meetings at a debut fair often mean shorter competitor lines and more flexible terms.
If you need a quick answer on your passport status before you fly, contact the CAIHE team at [email protected] or +86-21-6390 6161 ext. 828. The team supports buyer questions in English, Chinese, and Russian.
Final Pre-Flight Checklist
Run through this list the week before departure:
- Confirm your passport is visa-free or your e-visa is approved
- Check passport expiry: at least six months from arrival
- Book a hotel that registers guests electronically
- Save the entry stamp and registration proof in your phone and in paper form
- Print your CAIHE visitor badge confirmation or keep it on your phone
- Download offline maps and a translation app for Russian and Uzbek phrases
- Pack business cards, not just digital profiles, for local distributors and suppliers
Register for CAIHE 2026
Your next step is not the airline ticket — it’s the badge. Pre-register for CAIHE 2026 and, if you qualify, apply for the Hosted Buyer Programme to access matchmaking, local support, and buyer services. Do that before finalizing flights so the fair team can align your travel dates and meetings.
Email: [email protected] | Tel: +86-21-6390 6161 ext. 828
FAQ
Do I really need a visa for Tashkent if I am attending CAIHE?
If your passport is from one of the 60+ visa-free countries, no visa or e-visa is required for stays of up to 30 days. Attendees from other countries apply online for an e-visa.
How many days can I stay under visa-free entry?
Most eligible passports receive 30 days from the date of entry. Check the official list for any shorter bilateral terms. Uzbekistan counts the arrival stamp date, not the flight booking date.
What happens if I overstay my 30 days?
Overstaying can result in fines at exit and may make future entry harder. If a business programme requires more than 30 days, plan an exit and re-entry or apply for the correct visa before you arrive.
Can I combine CAIHE with Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan?
Many buyers do, because Central Asia is dense with supply and distribution stops. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have their own visa regimes, so check each destination separately. Uzbekistan’s visa-free entry does not automatically extend to neighbours.
Do Chinese passport holders need a visa for Uzbekistan?
No. China is on Uzbekistan’s visa-free list, and Chinese passport holders can enter for up to 30 days without a visa. Keep the usual return ticket and hotel booking ready at immigration.
Can business buyers sign contracts under visa-free entry?
Yes. Visa-free entry covers business meetings, trade fair participation, contract negotiations, and supplier visits. It does not cover local employment or paid work inside Uzbekistan.
References
[1] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, “Visa-free entry to the Republic of Uzbekistan.” https://mfa.uz/en/pages/visa-republic-uzbekistan
[2] International Air Transport Association, “Uzbekistan passenger customs, currency and airport information — passport validity.” https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/
[3] Government of Uzbekistan, “Emehmon temporary residence registration system for foreign citizens.” https://emahmon.uz/
[4] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, “Official electronic visa portal of the Republic of Uzbekistan.” https://e-visa.gov.uz/
[5] Government of Uzbekistan, “Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy.” Official state programme.
