Uzbekistan’s 30-day visa-free entry covers business travel for meetings, negotiations, trade fairs and contract signing — but it does not allow local employment or paid work. For buyers attending CAIHE 2026 at Uzexpocentre in Tashkent on 24–26 November, that means you can visit exhibitors, compare products and place orders without a business visa, provided you meet the passport and entry terms [1].
What the 30-day visa-free regime allows
More than 60 countries currently qualify for Uzbekistan’s 30-day visa-free entry, including China and many passport holders from the EU, the Gulf, East Asia and the CIS. The official list is maintained by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and should be checked before you book a flight [1].
For a business visitor, the distinction that matters is between doing business and taking up employment. Attending an exhibition, meeting suppliers, negotiating prices and signing a purchase agreement are business-visit activities. They do not require a work permit simply because they lead to a commercial order [2].
Business activities you can carry out at CAIHE
Under visa-free entry, a CAIHE buyer can:
- Attend CAIHE 2026 at Uzexpocentre, including Pavilions 3 and 4, and meet the 200+ international exhibitors
- Compare product samples, collect supplier documentation and request quotations
- Negotiate minimum order quantities, lead times, payment terms and delivery conditions
- Sign memorandums of understanding or purchase contracts
- Visit a supplier’s local office, warehouse or showroom for pre-order due diligence
The key test is whether you are evaluating and negotiating as a buyer, or performing local work for payment. The first is allowed under a business visit. The second is not [2].
What remains off-limits without a separate permit
Visa-free entry is not a work permit. Activities that require a separate permit or employment arrangement include:
- Taking up salaried employment with an Uzbek entity
- Receiving payment for hands-on work inside Uzbekistan
- Performing installation, commissioning, repair or construction work on site
- Running a local retail or production operation during your stay
- Staying beyond the 30-day period without a valid extension or visa
If a supplier asks you to be on site in a technical or operational capacity, treat that as a separate contracting issue. It should not be described at the border as an ordinary business visit [2].
Documents and border questions for business visitors
Uzbek border officers may ask about the purpose of your trip, the address where you will stay, and how long you plan to remain. A return or onward ticket, a hotel booking and a printed CAIHE registration confirmation help make the business purpose clear.
A passport should be valid well beyond your planned stay. While the formal validity rule may be shorter, a six-month buffer is the practical rule for regional travel because airlines and hotels often apply it.
Registration is separate from visa-free entry. Hotels in Tashkent normally register foreign guests automatically. If you stay in private accommodation, registration must be completed within three working days of arrival, and you should keep the registration slip until departure [3].
If your trip needs more than 30 days
Do not plan around an overstay. Uzbekistan applies administrative fines and possible exit restrictions for visitors who remain beyond the permitted period. If your sourcing trip may extend beyond 30 days, apply for an e-visa or confirm the correct extension route before departure [4].
CAIHE business-travel checklist
Before you fly:
- Check your passport nationality against the current Uzbekistan visa-free list [1]
- Confirm your passport validity and carry a return or onward ticket
- Book accommodation that registers foreign guests
- Carry business cards, your company profile and your CAIHE badge confirmation
- Keep your trip within the 30-day window unless a separate visa is already in place
- If any part of the trip involves paid hands-on work, arrange the correct permit first
Planning a visa-free sourcing trip to Tashkent? Contact the CAIHE team at [email protected] to align your supplier meetings before you travel.
Plan Your CAIHE 2026 Visit
CAIHE runs 24–26 November 2026 at Uzexpocentre in Tashkent. If you are using Uzbekistan’s visa-free entry, the practical next step is to pre-register for your visitor badge and confirm your arrival dates with the CAIHE team.
Email [email protected] or call +86-21-6390 6161 ext. 828 to prepare your visit.
FAQ: Visa-Free Business Travel to Uzbekistan
Can I sign a purchase contract under visa-free entry?
Yes. Negotiating and signing a purchase agreement, memorandum of understanding or supplier contract is a business-visit activity. It does not require a work permit as long as you are not receiving payment for local labour [2].
Do I need an invitation letter to enter visa-free?
An invitation letter is not mandatory for the visa-free regime, but border officers may ask about the purpose of your stay. A hotel booking, return ticket and CAIHE registration confirmation are usually sufficient to support a business visit [1].
Can I visit a supplier’s factory or warehouse?
Yes. Business visits, warehouse inspections and pre-order due diligence are normal sourcing activities under visa-free entry. Avoid performing paid hands-on work during those visits [2].
What happens if I overstay the 30-day period?
Overstaying can lead to administrative fines and difficulties when leaving Uzbekistan. If your trip may exceed 30 days, arrange an e-visa or confirmed extension before departure [4].
Is attending CAIHE 2026 considered an allowed business activity?
Yes. Attending an international trade fair, meeting exhibitors and sourcing products for your company are standard business-visit activities under Uzbekistan’s visa-free regime [1][2].
References
[1] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan. “Visa-free regime.” https://mfa.uz/en/consular/visa/
[2] Republic of Uzbekistan. “On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons.” LexUZ legal database. https://lex.uz/
[3] Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan. “Temporary registration of foreign citizens.” https://iiv.uz/
[4] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan. “Official e-visa portal.” https://e-visa.gov.uz
