An Uzbekistan visa is not required of citizens of Azerbaijan and you may stay up to 90 days. Over the past few years Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva have become one of the most travelled cultural routes from Azerbaijan: the language is close, the food is familiar, the direct flight to Tashkent runs six times a week, and the prices are several times cheaper than Europe.
In this article we explain the conditions of the visa-free regime, Uzbekistan’s registration rule, the Silk Road route by fast train and the flight options from Baku to Tashkent.
Do you need a visa for Uzbekistan?
No. There is a bilateral agreement between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, and on an ordinary passport you may stay up to 90 days without a visa. On the list of visa-free countries of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 90 days is shown opposite Uzbekistan, while Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows visa-free entry for citizens of Azerbaijan on its own list without a time limit. In practice, plan a trip of up to 90 days; staying longer requires registration and permission. The regime does not depend on the purpose of the trip, but for work and study a separate permit is needed inside the country. The Uzbek side’s rules are given on the visa page of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
| Is a visa required? | No |
| How long can you stay? | Up to 90 days |
| Passport | Must cover the length of the trip; 6 months is advisable |
| Registration | Not required up to 15 days, after that the hotel or E-mehmon |
| Direct flight | Baku–Tashkent, AZAL, 6 flights a week, 3 hours |
| Currency | Uzbek sum |
The registration rule: no Uzbekistan visa, but there is a 15-day limit
For a long time Uzbekistan required foreigners to register 3 days after arrival, and that was the point on which tourists were fined most. In 2024 Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan exempted each other’s citizens from registration for trips of up to 15 days. Which means that on a two-week trip no registration at all is needed. For those staying longer than 15 days, when you stay in a hotel the hotel does the registration itself, and in a rented flat the registration is done with the owner in the E-mehmon system. On leaving the country the registration papers for a long trip may be asked for.
How do you get from Baku to Tashkent?
AZAL flies six services a week between Baku and Tashkent and the flight takes 3 hours; Uzbekistan Airways operates the route too. Baku–Tashkent ticket prices rise around Novruz and the May holidays, while autumn is the best time for both the weather and the price. From Tashkent the «Afrosiyob» fast train takes 2 hours to Samarkand and 4 to Bukhara, and the tickets are bought in advance on the Uzbek railways site, because in season they sell out fast.
The Silk Road route without an Uzbekistan visa
The classic route is 7–8 days: 1 day in Tashkent, 2 days in Samarkand, 2 days in Bukhara, 2 days in Khiva. You reach Khiva from Bukhara by train or by a domestic flight to Urgench airport. Registan square, Shah-i-Zinda, Bukhara’s Poi-Kalon complex and Khiva’s Ichan-Qala fortress are the main points of that route. Group programmes in the form of a Samarkand tour fill up in advance for the Novruz and autumn holidays.
Points to know before the trip
- Money. The Uzbek sum. Dollars are changed everywhere, cards work in Tashkent and Samarkand, and in the bazaars you need cash.
- Language. Uzbek is close to Azerbaijani, and Russian works in the cities.
- Season. April–May and September–October are the ideal time; in July-August it gets to 40 degrees.
- Insurance. Not required, but advisable.
- Medicines. Uzbekistan takes some strong painkillers and sedatives seriously, so carry prescription medicines with the prescription.
Frequently asked questions about the Uzbekistan visa
Can you stay longer than 90 days without an Uzbekistan visa?
No. To stay longer, to work and to study, a temporary residence permit is arranged inside the country.
Can you cross from Uzbekistan into Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan?
Yes, both admit citizens of Azerbaijan without a visa. You can cross overland from Tashkent to Shymkent and Bishkek.
Are extra documents needed for children?
The child must have their own passport. When travelling with one parent, the other’s notarised consent may be required on leaving Azerbaijan.
In closing
No visa is needed for Uzbekistan, you may stay 90 days, and for up to two weeks no registration is required either. The only things to remember are registration on long trips and buying the train tickets early. The Viza.az team helps with booking flight and train tickets and with building the Silk Road route.
You can read more about the Uzbekistan destination or fill in the application form.
Note: the information here is as of the publication date. The visa-free regime and the registration rules can change, so look at the official sources once more before the trip.
