Most CAIHE buyers will enter Uzbekistan without applying for a visa. Citizens of more than 60 countries receive 30 days of visa-free entry, which is enough for the fair and early follow-up meetings in Tashkent [1]. The real border checklist is shorter than many visitors expect: passport validity, the entry stamp, and the hotel registration slip.
What the 30-day visa-free entry covers
Uzbekistan’s visa-free regime allows eligible travellers to stay for up to 30 days from the date of arrival [1]. For CAIHE 2026, which runs 24–26 November at Uzexpocentre in Tashkent, that single entry period covers the show days and most immediate supplier follow-up in the capital.
The 30-day clock begins when the border officer stamps your passport, not when your flight is booked. If your nationality qualifies for a shorter bilateral period, the permitted length will be recorded at passport control. Do not assume that the airline ticket or hotel booking extends your legal stay.
Passport validity: use a six-month target
Carry a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your intended arrival date. This is the safest benchmark for CAIHE visitors even when an airline has accepted a shorter validity in the past. Airlines and border officers commonly apply a six-month rule to visa-free travel, and a passport near expiry is the most frequent reason a buyer is stopped before boarding [2].
Check the expiry date now, not the week before the flight. If your passport expires within six months of the travel date, renew it before registering for the hosted buyer programme or booking flights.
For travellers who need an e-visa, the official e-visa portal requires passport validity beyond the planned visa period [3]. Keeping the six-month buffer also covers this requirement comfortably.
Entry stamp and hotel registration: two different records
The entry stamp is placed in your passport at passport control. Keep an eye on it before you leave the desk: it is the record of the date you entered Uzbekistan. If the stamp is missing or unclear, ask the officer politely to correct it while you are still at the counter.
Registration is a separate requirement. Foreign visitors staying in licensed accommodation are registered by the hotel, which gives you a confirmation slip or a digital record. Keep this record with your passport until you depart because you may be asked to show it at check-out, during a police document check, or at the airport [4].
For CAIHE visitors, staying in a hotel is the simplest way to stay compliant: the property handles the registration deadline, which is typically within three days of arrival [4]. If you are staying in a private apartment, your host must handle registration, so confirm this before you arrive.
Documents to keep in your hand luggage
Pack the originals and carry a printed backup of the following:
- passport with six months’ validity and at least one blank page
- printed e-visa approval if you are not visa-free [3]
- hotel confirmation showing the address and check-in dates
- return or onward flight ticket
- travel insurance covering medical treatment and repatriation
- CAIHE visitor pre-registration confirmation
You do not need a heavy folder of paperwork. Two printed pages — your accommodation confirmation and your e-visa approval, if required — solve most border conversations.
If your passport is not on the visa-free list
Buyers from non-visa-free countries should apply through the official Uzbekistan e-visa portal rather than relying on social media agents or last-minute airport fixes [3]. The form asks for the purpose of visit, accommodation, and passport data. Apply early enough for processing, and keep the approval letter on your phone and as a printed page.
For a first-time visitor, the essential step is easier than the visa question: confirm your buyer badge before you book flights. Email [email protected] or call +86-21-6390 6161 ext. 828, and the CAIHE team can check visitor registration, hosted buyer eligibility, and entry queries.
A practical regional example
A CAIHE buyer travelling from Frankfurt visa-free can use the same 30-day entry for the fair, supplier meetings in Tashkent, and short local follow-up. If the trip includes Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan, each country has its own border and registration rules, so check those separately before crossing.
Keep your paperwork deliberately small
The most efficient CAIHE travellers treat Uzbekistan entry as a paperwork problem with a simple solution: one passport, one stamp, one hotel registration slip, and one printed backup. If each of those four items is ready before departure, the border process is usually quick.
Pre-register and keep your documents simple
Your next step is to secure your CAIHE 2026 visitor badge. Pre-register as an international buyer, then use this checklist to prepare your passport and printed backups. For entry questions or hosted buyer support, contact the CAIHE visitor team at [email protected] or +86-21-6390 6161 ext. 828.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 30-day visa-free stay begin on the day I arrive?
Yes. The permitted stay is normally calculated from the date the border officer stamps your passport, not from your flight booking date or your hotel check-in.
What if my passport expires within five months?
Renew it before your trip. Uzbekistan is a visa-free destination for many CAIHE buyers, but a passport heading toward expiry is the most common reason travellers are denied boarding, so a six-month buffer avoids unnecessary risk [2].
Do I need to print my hotel registration slip?
Keep a printed or saved digital copy. Hotels usually register you automatically, but you may need to show the registration record during your stay or before departure [4].
Can I use the Uzbekistan entry stamp for Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan?
No. Entry stamps and registration apply only inside Uzbekistan. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have separate border rules, so check them independently if you plan a regional trip.
Do Chinese passport holders need a visa?
Chinese passport holders are eligible for 30-day visa-free entry under Uzbekistan’s visa-free arrangement [1]. Keep the same passport-validity buffer and entry-stamp discipline described above.
References
[1] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, “Visa-free countries,” Official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Accessed: 2026. [Online]. Available: https://mfa.uz/en/visa/
[2] International Air Transport Association (IATA), “Uzbekistan passport, visa and health requirements,” IATA Travel Centre. Accessed: 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/
[3] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, “E-visa portal,” E-VISA.GOV.UZ. Accessed: 2026. [Online]. Available: https://e-visa.gov.uz/main
[4] Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, “Temporary registration of foreign citizens,” Official website. Accessed: 2026. [Online]. Available: https://iiv.uz/
