What will change in Uzbekistan from 1 March?

A number of changes in Uzbek legislation will come into force on 1 March this year. In particular, the obligation to wear a mask will be abolished, 5 more public services will be provided online through my.gov.uz portal, and people with disabilities will receive income tax and social tax benefits.  The information below will provide details on legislative changes.

1. The obligation to wear a mask is abolished in Uzbekistan.

In accordance with the decision of the Special Commission of the Republic of 23 February, the obligation of citizens to wear masks will be abolished and transferred to a voluntary basis as of 1 March of this year. From the point of epidemic situation, Places difficult to maintain the social distance of citizens (public transport, metro, buses, trams, major shops, markets, educational institutions, State and non-State institutions, mosques, sports complexes, theaters, cinemas, museums, art palaces, domestic service institutions) are excluded from the obligation to wear a mask. Wearing a mask will be for reference only.

2. A driver with a biometric passport or ID card is not obliged to have a driving license, technical passport of the car, power of attorney and insurance policy.

The Act, signed by President Shawkat Mirziyoyev on 30 November 2021, does not require the driver to have the following documents together with his passport or identity card:
- documents on registration and management of transport;
- power of attorney;
- insurance policy
The availability of these documents is independently verified by the road patrol officer through the electronic system.

3. Another 5 types of public services are provided online through my.gov.uz portal.

According to the Decision of 15 October 2021of Cabinet of Ministers, the following services will be provided electronically through the Unique Interactive Public Service Portal (my.gov.uz):

- to invite a foreign citizen to Uzbekistan;
- to obtain relevant documents and certificates of Uzbek citizenship abroad;
- to obtain information on criminal record (impunity);
- to check whether there is a traffic ban for transport;
- to fix the time of meetings between inmates in penal institutions and target colonies and their close relatives.

4. Fifty percent of the cost of employing foreign experts in horticultural clusters and farms will be reimbursed.

According to the Presidential Decree of 15 December 2021, for fruit and vegetable clusters (cooperatives) and farms, there is an export contract that 50 percent of the insurance premium paid for the use of vegetable risk insurance, but not more than 1 per cent of the insurance amount is refunded.
Fruit and Vegetable Clusters (cooperatives) – 50 per cent of the cost of employing professional agronomists, entomologists, laboratory technicians from abroad, but not more than $1,000 per month per specialist, will be reimbursed through the district offices of the Ministry of Agriculture.

5. Persons with disabilities are entitled to income tax and social tax benefits.

In accordance with the Presidential Decree of 21 December 2021, on Part 1 of Article 380 of the Tax Code a minimum income tax facility for persons with disabilities from childhood and those with disabilities in groups I and II, is increased from 1,41 to 3 times.

By 1 March 2024, employers will receive a full refund of the social tax from the State budget-paid for disabled persons.

6. Some types of assistance (13) to youths are provided on the recommendation of youth leaders of the region.

According to the Presidential Decree of 19 January 2022, on the recommendation of the Youth Leader, which has been introduced in all makhallas (neighbohoods), 13 forms of assistance will be provided to young people in their area, including material assistance and subsidies for socially disadvantaged youths.  In addition, subsidized loans, non-formal education courses and support for persons with disabilities will be provided to young families.