If you hold an ordinary passport from an EU member state, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, you can enter Uzbekistan without a visa for up to 30 days [1]. For a CAIHE 2026 visit, that is the most important travel fact: the fair runs 24–26 November 2026 at Uzexpocentre in Tashkent, comfortably inside one visa-free window.
Uzbekistan’s visa-free list covers more than 60 countries, but for European buyers the process is unusually simple — no embassy visit, no visa fee, and no advance electronic authorization for short business-visitor trips [1]. The 30 days start on the entry date stamped in your passport at Tashkent International Airport, not on the date your flight departs from London, Frankfurt, Paris, or Warsaw.
The visa-free route covers tourism, business meetings, trade-fair attendance, and short transit. It does not cover paid employment or long-term study. For CAIHE, that means attending the fair, meeting exhibitors, and holding commercial discussions are the intended uses of a visa-free stay [1].
Visa-Free Entry for EU and UK Passport Holders
Uzbekistan’s visa-free regime covers all 27 EU member states and the United Kingdom, alongside Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein [1]. That includes major hardware-sourcing markets such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, the Netherlands, and the Nordic and Baltic states.
| Passport group | Entry route | Maximum stay | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| All 27 EU member states | Visa-free | 30 days | Ordinary passport required |
| United Kingdom | Visa-free | 30 days | Applies to British citizen passports |
| Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein | Visa-free | 30 days | Business or tourist visits permitted |
The important distinction for buyers is straightforward: attending CAIHE, meeting exhibitors, and discussing orders are business-visitor activities. If you plan to work in Uzbekistan or stay longer than 30 days, you need a different permission before travel [1].
Before You Fly: The Buyer’s Document Checklist
We recommend carrying the following, even if not every item is requested at passport control:
- A passport valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure date; six months is the safer standard for airline and border checks [2].
- A confirmed return or onward flight ticket.
- The name and address of your first-night hotel, or the host address if you are staying privately.
- Travel insurance with medical cover; it is not a visa-free entry requirement, but it reduces practical risk.
- A printed or mobile copy of your CAIHE visitor confirmation and the fair dates.
Border officers may ask the purpose of your visit, where you will stay, and how long you intend to remain [2]. Keep your answers specific: “CAIHE 2026 hardware fair at Uzexpocentre, 24–26 November” is exactly the kind of clear response that keeps the entry process fast.
If you want a smoother border conversation, request a CAIHE visitor confirmation when you pre-register. Email [email protected] or call +86-21-6390 6161 ext. 828 and the team can help with buyer documentation.
Arrival, Registration, and Staying Within 30 Days
At Tashkent International Airport, eligible EU and UK passport holders do not pay a visa fee at the border. The officer stamps your passport with the arrival date, and that stamp is the start of your 30-day count [1].
Registration works differently depending on where you stay. In practice, hotels register foreign guests automatically and provide the registration record if asked. If you stay in a private apartment or house, the host must complete local registration within three working days of your arrival [3]. Keep a photo of your entry stamp and any registration slip on your phone.
The most common avoidable problem is overstaying. Leaving after the permitted period can lead to an administrative fine, exit delays, or a future entry ban [2]. Set a calendar reminder for day 25 and leave time for airport processing.
If You Are Not on the Visa-Free List
If a member of your buying team holds a passport that is not on Uzbekistan’s visa-free list, the most common alternative is the electronic visa system [4]. The e-visa is applied for online through the official portal at e-visa.gov.uz before travel. It is a single-entry visitor route for short stays and is separate from the arrangements for employment, study, or long-term residence.
Do not leave an e-visa application to the last working day. Apply well before departure, keep the approved PDF with your passport, and check that your name and passport number match exactly. If you are transiting through another country, check that country’s entry rules separately.
Planning Your CAIHE 2026 Trip
CAIHE 2026 takes place 24–26 November 2026 at Uzexpocentre, Pavilions 3 and 4, in Tashkent. The fair is the region’s first dedicated international hardware and tools event, and more than 200 international exhibitors are expected. As a first edition, it does not have visitor totals to quote, but for buyers the logic is practical: a new fair is a window to meet suppliers before established sourcing patterns harden.
For EU and UK visitors, the visa-free window is large enough to arrive a few days before the fair for preliminary supplier conversations and to leave a day or two after it for follow-up meetings. In our experience, first-time visitors to Tashkent are more efficient when they stay near the venue or on a metro line and avoid scheduling back-to-back meetings across the city.
Plan Your Visa-Free CAIHE Visit
Pre-register for CAIHE 2026 as an international buyer and the team will send your visitor confirmation and any entry-checklist updates before you fly. Email [email protected] or call +86-21-6390 6161 ext. 828.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do EU and UK citizens need a visa for CAIHE 2026?
No. Citizens of all EU member states and the United Kingdom can enter Uzbekistan without a visa for up to 30 days, which covers the CAIHE dates [1].
How long can I stay without a visa?
You can stay for up to 30 days from the arrival date stamped in your passport. The count begins on arrival in Uzbekistan, not from your departure date in Europe [1].
What happens if I stay longer than 30 days?
Overstaying can lead to an administrative fine, delays at exit, or a future entry ban. If you need more time, arrange the correct route before travel rather than extending by overstay [2].
Do I need a hotel booking before I arrive?
It is strongly advised. Border officers may ask where you will stay on your first night [2]. A confirmed booking gives you a clear answer and helps with the registration requirement if you stay in a hotel.
References
[1] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan. “List of foreign citizens entitled to a visa-free regime in the Republic of Uzbekistan.” Tashkent: MFA. https://mfa.uz/en/
[2] United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. “Uzbekistan Travel Advice.” London: FCDO. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/uzbekistan
[3] Republic of Uzbekistan. “On the legal status of foreign citizens and stateless persons in the Republic of Uzbekistan.” Tashkent: LexUZ. https://lex.uz
[4] Official electronic visa portal of the Republic of Uzbekistan. https://e-visa.gov.uz
