Uzbekistan work visa

The work entry visa is based on the licence or authorisation of the Agency for Foreign Labour Migration, and the right to work it reflects is granted for the period approved by the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations. Teaching staff of state schools, universities and branches of foreign universities receive a separate teacher's visa of up to one year, and researchers and visiting lecturers an academic visa of three months to two years, both requested by the Uzbek institution.

The employer's invitation file contains the visa application form on company letterhead, the electronic form from evisa.mfa.uz, copies of the passports of the worker, the company head and the authorised employee, the company's official documents, the employment orders and power of attorney, and the certificate of authorisation to engage in labour activity issued to the worker by the Agency for Foreign Labour Migration.

Consular fees for single-entry visas are USD 40 for up to 7 days, USD 50 up to 15 days, USD 60 up to 30 days, USD 80 up to 3 months, USD 120 up to 6 months and USD 160 up to a year, plus USD 10 for each additional entry. Multiple-entry visas cost USD 150 for up to 6 months, USD 250 for a year, USD 300 for two years and USD 350 for three. Fees to cover actual processing costs are added depending on where the visa is issued.

Visas are issued at Uzbek diplomatic missions and consular offices abroad on the basis of a visa confirmation from the Consular and Legal Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The confirmation follows an invitation-application from a legal entity or individual registered in Uzbekistan; the Ministry considers such applications within 4 working days.

At the mission the applicant submits a passport valid at least three months longer than the visa, two completed application forms and two 35 x 45 mm colour photos. Nationals of countries without an Uzbek mission, and stateless persons, can collect a visa on arrival at the Ministry's visa service at Tashkent International Airport if the inviting party has obtained the confirmation in advance.

The 30-day visa-free regime available to many nationalities covers visits only. Anyone taking up employment needs the work visa based on the labour authorisation. If a visa expires before departure, an exit visa giving up to one month to leave can be issued.