Yes—Chinese passport holders can enter Uzbekistan without a visa for up to 30 days. That covers ordinary business travel, including attending the Central Asia International Hardware Expo (CAIHE) at Uzexpocentre in Tashkent from 24 to 26 November 2026. You do not need an e-visa, a visa fee, or a sponsor letter for this trip, but you do need the right documents, registration, and a clear understanding of what the 30-day window allows.
What the 30-Day Visa-Free Entry Means
China is on Uzbekistan’s visa-free list [1]. Under the current arrangement, Chinese passport holders may enter Uzbekistan for up to 30 days per trip. The rule applies to tourism, business meetings, trade fair attendance, contract talks, and market visits.
For CAIHE buyers, that is the relevant point: sourcing meetings, booth visits, factory or warehouse appointments, and contract discussions are ordinary business purposes covered by visa-free entry. The rule does not cover paid employment inside Uzbekistan or running a local company.
Visa-free status does not guarantee admission. The border officer still checks your travel purpose, passport, and intended address. You can enter through international airport, rail, or road checkpoints that are open to foreign travelers, but every traveler is still subject to ordinary immigration control.
Documents to Prepare Before You Fly
Carry these items even though no visa is required:
- A passport valid for at least six months after your planned travel dates. Six months is the safest standard and avoids problems with airlines as well as immigration.
- A hotel booking or the address where you will stay.
- A return or onward ticket.
- Your CAIHE visitor pre-registration or badge confirmation, if you have completed it.
- Travel insurance. It is not a visa-free entry requirement, but it is worth having for medical or trip-interruption issues.
At the border, an officer may ask why you are visiting, how long you plan to stay, and where you are staying. A short, clear answer is enough: “I am attending CAIHE at Uzexpocentre, staying for five days, and my hotel is in Tashkent.”
Registration Rules After Arrival
Uzbekistan requires temporary registration for foreign visitors [2]. If you stay in a hotel, the hotel normally registers you within three working days. Ask for a printed registration slip or confirmation and keep it with your passport.
If you stay in a private apartment or rented accommodation, the host is responsible for registration. If you change hotels during your trip, each hotel should register your new stay.
Registration matters most when you leave the country or if police or migration officers carry out a routine check. It is not a visa, but it is still required.
Planning a CAIHE Trip Within 30 Days
CAIHE runs 24–26 November 2026 at Uzexpocentre Pavilions 3 and 4 in Tashkent. A practical sourcing trip fits easily inside the 30-day limit.
For example, a buyer could arrive on 22 November, attend the fair from 24 to 26 November, hold follow-up supplier meetings on 27–28 November, and depart on 29 November. That is eight days in total—no extension paperwork is required.
If you are still arranging your badge or Hosted Buyer Programme status, contact the CAIHE team at [email protected] or +86-21-6390 6161 ext. 828. Confirm your visitor registration before booking flights so the border conversation is quick and your fair access is ready on arrival.
If your team also plans to visit Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan, check those countries separately. Uzbekistan’s 30-day visa-free entry does not automatically extend to neighboring markets.
Extending Your Stay or Traveling Beyond Uzbekistan
If 30 days is not enough, contact an Uzbek diplomatic mission in China before you travel. Do not assume that a quick exit and re-entry resets your stay. Immigration officers may view repeated short exits as an attempt to extend visa-free entry without the correct permit.
Overstaying can lead to fines, delayed departure, or an entry ban. If an emergency keeps you in Uzbekistan beyond your allowed stay, go to the local migration office in Tashkent before your departure date.
For colleagues who do not hold Chinese passports, check the Uzbek visa list separately. Some passports qualify for the same 30-day access, but others require an e-visa or other travel authorization.
Plan Your CAIHE 2026 Trip
The practical next step is simple: pre-register for CAIHE 2026. Send the CAIHE team your name, company, job title, and passport-issuing country to confirm your visitor badge and check whether you qualify for hosted buyer support. Do this before booking hotels and flights so your Tashkent itinerary is built around confirmed fair access.
FAQ
Do Chinese passport holders really not need a visa for Uzbekistan?
Correct. Chinese passport holders are eligible for Uzbekistan’s 30-day visa-free entry and do not need an e-visa or a traditional visa for a short business trip [1].
Can I attend business meetings at CAIHE under visa-free entry?
Yes. Trade fairs, exhibitions, buyer meetings, supplier visits, and contract discussions are permitted business activities under the visa-free arrangement. Paid employment and running a local company are not covered.
What if my passport expires soon?
Renew it before booking travel. A passport valid for at least six months is the safest basis for airline check-in and entry into Uzbekistan.
Do I still need hotel registration?
Yes. Hotels register foreign guests, usually within three working days. Keep the registration slip. If you stay in private accommodation, the host must register you [2].
Can I stay longer than 30 days?
No. The visa-free arrangement is for up to 30 days per trip. Longer stays require prior arrangement through an Uzbek diplomatic mission. Avoid overstaying, which can lead to fines, delays, or a ban.
Do I need to show a CAIHE badge at the border?
No, but a pre-registration confirmation helps explain the purpose of your trip if an immigration officer asks.
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] Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, “Registration of foreign citizens staying in Uzbekistan.” https://iiv.uz/en/
[3] Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the People’s Republic of China. https://uzbekistan.org.cn/
