If you hold a passport from Japan, the Republic of Korea, or Malaysia, your entry story for CAIHE 2026 is simpler than most buyers expect: Uzbekistan offers 30-day visa-free entry to passport holders from more than 60 countries, including those three markets [1]. CAIHE 2026 runs 24–26 November at Uzexpocentre in Tashkent, a month that works well for combining the fair with supplier meetings and regional follow-up.
Your first step: check the visa-free list before you book
The visa-free rule depends on your passport country, not on where your flight departs from. For the Asian markets most buyers ask us about, the current picture is:
| Asian market | Entry route | Border checklist |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | Visa-free, up to 30 days | Ordinary passport; 6+ months validity; return or onward ticket; hotel or event address |
| Republic of Korea | Visa-free, up to 30 days | Same as above |
| Malaysia | Visa-free, up to 30 days | Confirm passport validity before booking; carry CAIHE visitor registration printout |
| Singapore | Visa-free, up to 30 days | Same border documentation |
| Turkey | Visa-free, up to 30 days | Same 30-day window; strong regional connections into Tashkent |
| United Arab Emirates | Visa-free, up to 30 days | Same border documentation |
This applies to ordinary passport holders. Diplomatic and official passport holders follow separate rules. Because the eligible-country list has expanded several times, always verify your nationality on the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa page before ticketing [1].
For buyers from China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam, or other Asian markets, do not rely on an old screenshot. Open the official visa page, enter your country, and check the current route. For many non-visa-free countries, the online e-visa is the standard alternative and is usually the most practical option for a short business trip.
Japan, Korea, Malaysia: the practical checklist
Once you confirm you qualify for visa-free entry, prepare the same way you would for any sourcing trip:
- Passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay
- Return or onward ticket leaving Uzbekistan
- Hotel booking with address and contact number
- Printed CAIHE visitor registration or invitation details
- Travel insurance and local mobile data plan
The fair itself is not the only reason to visit. Uzbekistan’s construction pipeline helps explain the urgency: the country has more than 750 large-scale projects and 1 million new homes planned by 2030 under its national development strategy [2]. That is why a first-edition fair in Tashkent is being treated by many regional distributors as a market-opening event rather than a routine exhibition.
CAIHE 2026 is organized by Koelnmesse and Inter Dialog, with the China Chamber of Commerce for Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan as partners [3]. The event is deliberately compact enough to work through in two to three focused days at Uzexpocentre, Pavilions 3 and 4.
Border day: what officers actually check
Uzbekistan border officers usually ask for the purpose of the visit, length of stay, hotel name, and first destination. If you say you are attending a trade fair, have the supporting detail ready.
Carry a printed or offline copy of:
- Your CAIHE buyer registration or exhibitor invitation
- Hotel confirmation
- Return flight details
- Passport photo page and entry stamp
Short-term business visits, trade fair attendance, and supplier meetings are expected uses of the visa-free stay under normal business travel. The visa-free period is measured from the entry stamp, so treat it as 30 days of permitted stay rather than 30 nights plus a safety margin.
After arrival, hotels generally register foreign guests electronically. Keep your registration confirmation until you leave. If you stay in private accommodation, ask the host to complete local registration and keep proof.
From flight to Uzexpocentre
Fly into Tashkent International Airport. From there, Uzexpocentre is a short city drive; book a licensed airport taxi or use a local ride-hailing app and have the venue address ready in Uzbek or Russian.
CAIHE 2026 takes place 24–26 November 2026 at Uzexpocentre, Pavilions 3 and 4. More than 200 international exhibitors are expected across hardware, tools, building hardware, industrial components, fasteners, power tools, PPE, and related categories [3].
Because this is the first edition, there are no visitor numbers to quote and no inflated legacy claims to make. The practical advantage for early buyers is different: supplier attention is higher, meetings are easier to secure, and early relationships in a new market tend to form before established buying patterns harden.
What visa-free entry does not cover
Use the visa-free route for buyer meetings, fair attendance, market scouting, and supplier evaluation. It is not a route for local employment, paid work, or running a local operation. Those activities require separate work or business permits.
If part of your programme could exceed 30 days, plan the exit or the correct e-visa category before you arrive. Avoid overstaying; departure control records the original entry stamp, and penalties are administrative and avoidable.
Make your entry plan before the fair
Start with the buyer badge, not just the flight. Pre-register for CAIHE 2026, confirm the visa-free or e-visa route for your passport, and lock 24–26 November 2026 as the on-site priority. For Hosted Buyer Programme or group travel questions, contact the CAIHE team at [email protected] or +86-21-6390 6161 ext. 828.
Frequently asked questions
Do Japanese, Korean, and Malaysian buyers need a visa for CAIHE?
Not if they enter as ordinary passport holders under the 30-day visa-free regime. Eligibility is based on nationality, so verify the current official list before ticketing.
How long can I stay in Uzbekistan without a visa?
Eligible passport holders can stay up to 30 days. The period is counted from the entry stamp. If your trip might run longer, arrange an e-visa or exit plan before arrival.
What should I show at the border?
Bring a passport valid for at least six months beyond your stay, a return or onward ticket, hotel booking, and details of the fair. A printed copy of the CAIHE buyer registration helps officers understand the trip purpose.
Do I need registration after I arrive?
Hotels generally register foreign guests electronically. Keep the confirmation with you. If you use private accommodation, ask the host to complete local registration and keep proof.
What if my country is not on the visa-free list?
Use the official e-visa portal. For a short business visit it is usually the most practical route. Confirm processing time, passport validity, and the current fee before booking flights.
Does the visa-free route cover Chinese passport holders?
The safest approach is to check the current bilateral list with the Uzbekistan embassy or the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal. Chinese passport holders have seen streamlined entry terms, but the exact route can depend on passport type and purpose. If you do not fall under a visa-free arrangement, apply through the e-visa portal rather than assuming entry.
Can I combine CAIHE with Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan?
Only if you check their separate visa rules, because the regimes are not identical. Each border crossing should be planned independently, and re-entering Uzbekistan will depend on your Uzbekistan entry status.
References
[1] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan. “Visa information for foreign citizens.” Available: https://mfa.uz/en/pages/visa-republic-uzbekistan
[2] Government of Uzbekistan. “Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy and national development programmes.” Available: https://gov.uz/en
[3] Central Asia International Hardware Expo (CAIHE), “CAIHE 2026 event and buyer programme information,” Koelnmesse and Inter Dialog.
