From 1 September 2026, Indian citizens holding a valid multiple-entry business or tourist visa from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea or a Schengen country can stay in Uzbekistan visa-free for up to 30 days, with an onward air ticket. Other Indian travellers should check the official e-visa route before booking flights to Tashkent.
Updated October 2026 · HappyFares
Uzbekistan has become a popular Central Asian trip for Indians, and the rules changed recently. The headlines said “visa-free”, but the detail matters, so here is what has been reported and what to check.
Do Indians need a visa for Uzbekistan in 2026?
It depends on what other visas you hold. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tashkent on 29 and 30 August 2026, Uzbekistan announced 30-day visa-free entry for Indians. A presidential decree dated 29 August, titled “On simplifying the procedure for entering the Republic of Uzbekistan”, then took effect on 1 September 2026, according to reports in the Uzbek press.
As reported, the decree does not open the door to every Indian passport holder. It applies to Indian citizens who hold a valid multiple-entry business or tourist visa from one of these:
- Australia
- Canada
- Japan
- New Zealand
- South Korea
- The United Kingdom
- The United States
- A Schengen Agreement country
The visa-free stay is for up to 30 days from the date of entry, during the validity of that visa, and you must show an air ticket for a flight to your own country or a third country.
What if I do not hold one of those visas?
The reports we read do not say what happens for Indians without such a visa. Before the change, the usual route for tourist and business stays was Uzbekistan’s online e-visa, and nothing we found says that route has been withdrawn. Do not assume you can arrive without any visa. Check the Uzbek embassy in New Delhi or the official Uzbek e-visa portal for your case before you buy a non-refundable ticket.
Early reports in late August said no start date had been set, and later reports gave 1 September. If you read an older article, it may be out of date. Always check the date on the page.
Which airlines fly from India to Tashkent?
A January 2026 report said Tashkent was linked to Delhi, Mumbai and Goa by Uzbekistan Airways, Centrum Air and IndiGo, with 17 weekly flights in total at that time. The same report said Centrum Air planned to raise its Tashkent to Delhi flights to three a week from 29 March 2026, and to start Tashkent to Hyderabad flights twice a week from 30 March 2026.
IndiGo began its Delhi to Tashkent service in September 2023. Schedules change by season, and we could not confirm every route and frequency that is operating this month. Check the airline’s own timetable, or search on HappyFares, to see what is flying on your dates.
How do I plan the trip around the paperwork?
Start with the visa, then the flight. A sensible order:
- Check whether your existing US, UK, Schengen or other visa meets the conditions, including that it must be multiple-entry and valid on your travel dates.
- If it does not, check the official e-visa process and timing.
- Choose a fare with date-change flexibility until your documents are settled.
- Keep a printed or saved onward or return ticket handy, since immigration may ask to see it.
A small aviation touch: Tashkent is the capital and the main gateway, while famous cities such as Samarkand and Bukhara are elsewhere in the country, so plan how you will cover the distance after you land and leave a buffer before any onward connection.
If you are travelling as a family or group, make sure every passenger meets the visa condition on their own passport. A qualifying visa in one person’s passport does not cover the others, and each traveller should carry their own documents and ticket details.
Is the 30-day visa-free rule worth building a trip around?
Thirty days is generous for a first trip, so the limit is unlikely to bind for most itineraries. The condition that matters is the qualifying visa. If you already hold one for a trip to the UK, US or Europe, the new rule can save you an application. If you do not, check the official e-visa route before you commit to dates.
Common Questions
Is Uzbekistan visa-free for all Indians?
Not as reported. The 30-day visa-free stay applies to Indians holding a valid multiple-entry business or tourist visa from the listed countries. Check the official sources for anything beyond that.
When did the visa-free rule start?
Reports say it took effect on 1 September 2026, under a presidential decree dated 29 August.
How long can I stay visa-free?
Up to 30 days from the date of entry, within the validity period of your qualifying visa.
Do I need an onward ticket?
Yes, reports say you must present an air ticket for a flight to your own country or a third country.
Is there a direct flight from India to Tashkent?
Yes. Uzbekistan Airways, Centrum Air and IndiGo have been reported on India to Tashkent routes. Confirm the current timetable for your dates, since frequencies change.
Can I enter with an expired US or UK visa?
No. As reported, entry is allowed during the validity period of the qualifying visa, and it must be multiple-entry.
Ready to price a Tashkent trip? Search and compare flights on HappyFares, set a price alert, or ask Meera, our AI assistant, to help. Consider travel insurance for international trips.
Visa rules and fees change. Verify current requirements with the Embassy of Uzbekistan, the official Uzbek e-visa portal and your airline before you travel.
