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Samarkand Entry Requirements

Samarkand Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
Samarkand is served by Samarkand International Airport (SKD) and the Afrosiyob high-speed rail station. Most visitors arrive by air or rail from Tashkent. All foreign nationals must present a passport valid for at least three months beyond the date of entry. An onward or return ticket is rarely requested. But immigration officers occasionally ask for proof of accommodation in Samarkand. The immigration procedure is straightforward: expect two short queues, one for passport control and one for customs. Officers may ask the purpose of visit, length of stay, and whether you have been to Uzbekistan before. English is understood at the airport. But Russian is more common at the train station. After immigration, SIM cards from Beeline, Ucell, and UzMobile kiosks are available landside. They will request your passport for registration. ATMs dispensing Uzbek so'm line the arrivals hall, opt for machines labeled "Humo" or "NBU" for the best rates. Taxis inside the terminal charge a premium. The official ride-hailing app is Yandex Go, or agree on a fare in advance to the city center (about 15, 20 minutes).

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Visa-Free Entry
30 days

Citizens of the following countries may enter Uzbekistan without a visa for tourism.

Includes
Germany France Italy Spain Japan South Korea Malaysia Singapore Indonesia Israel Turkey

Entry stamp issued on arrival. Extension possible for another 30 days at the OVIR office in Samarkand.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa)
30 days

Single-entry tourist e-visa issued online.

Includes
United States United Kingdom Canada Australia India China Philippines Thailand UAE Saudi Arabia
How to Apply: Apply at e-visa.gov.uz; upload passport bio page and recent photo. Processing is usually 2, 3 working days.
Cost: Mid-range fee payable by Visa or Mastercard.

Print the e-visa or store a digital copy. You must enter Uzbekistan within 90 days of issue.

Visa Required
30 days (single entry) or 30 days per entry (multiple entry, valid 1 year)

Traditional sticker visa issued by Uzbek consulates.

How to Apply: Submit form, passport, photo, and official invitation letter (LOI) via the nearest Uzbek embassy or consulate.

Invitation letters are arranged by Uzbek tour operators or hotels in Samarkand and can take 7, 10 working days.

Arrival Process

Whether arriving by plane or high-speed rail, the steps below apply to Samarkand.

1
Disembarkation & Health Check
Temperature scanners operate at both airport and rail terminals. If you appear unwell, you may be taken aside for additional questioning.
2
Immigration Control
Present passport and, if applicable, printed e-visa. Officers scan fingerprints of all foreign nationals.
3
Luggage Collection
Baggage carousels are labeled in Latin script. Porters charge a small fee per bag.
4
Customs Declaration
Green channel if you have nothing to declare. Red channel for cash or restricted items. Random scans are common.

Documents to Have Ready

Passport
Must be valid for at least three months beyond entry date.
e-visa or visa sticker
Required for non-visa-exempt travelers.
Hotel booking confirmation
Immigration may ask for an address in Samarkand; a PDF on your phone suffices.
Migration slip
Given at passport control. Keep it, you need it for hotel check-in and departure.

Tips for Smooth Entry

Fill out the customs declaration form on the plane or train to save time.
Have your hotel name written in Cyrillic (ask the hotel in advance) as local taxi drivers use Russian addresses.

Customs & Duty-Free

Uzbek customs regulations apply uniformly at Samarkand airport and rail terminals.

Alcohol
2 liters of any alcoholic beverages
Minimum age 21; opened bottles are technically dutiable.
Tobacco
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g loose tobacco
Excess quantities will be confiscated.
Currency
USD 5,000 equivalent or more must be declared
Declaration form is required both on entry and exit. Keep a copy when leaving Samarkand.
Gifts/Goods
Personal items up to USD 1,000 value
Professional equipment such as drones requires separate authorization.

Prohibited Items

  • Narcotics and psychotropic substances, zero tolerance
  • Print or digital material undermining Uzbek constitutional order
  • Radioactive materials

Restricted Items

  • Cultural artifacts older than 50 years, need export permit from the Ministry of Culture in Tashkent
  • Medicines containing codeine or tramadol, doctor's prescription translated into Russian or Uzbek

Health Requirements

Uzbekistan does not require proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter Samarkand. But other health rules may apply.

Required Vaccinations

  • None for direct arrivals from Europe, North America, or most of Asia

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Routine boosters (MMR, DTP), Hepatitis A, Typhoid if eating outside major hotels

Health Insurance

Travel health insurance is not mandatory but strongly advised. Many Samarkand hospitals request cash payment upfront.

Current Health Requirements: Check the official site of Uzbekistan's Sanitary-Epidemiological Service within 7 days of travel for any sudden rule changes, during Islamic holidays.

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Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate
Find your country's embassy or consulate
Check your government's travel advisory website
Immigration Authority
e-visa portal and official information
e-visa.gov.uz for visa applications
Emergency
Police, ambulance, fire
Dial 103 (ambulance), 102 (police), 101 (fire)

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Single parent or guardian must carry notarized consent from the absent parent(s) translated into Russian or Uzbek. Birth certificates are recommended.

Traveling with Pets

Pet must have ISO microchip, rabies vaccination certificate issued at least 30 days and not more than 12 months before entry, and veterinary certificate from country of origin. On arrival in Samarkand, present documents to the State Veterinary Inspection desk.

Extended Stays

Tourists can extend for another 30 days at the OVIR office on University Boulevard in Samarkand city. Bring passport, migration slip, and hotel registration printout.

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