Uzbekistan to simplify U.S. visa process for its citizens

The Government of Uzbekistan has announced plans to simplify visa requirements for its citizens seeking entry into the United States. This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at expanding the tourism sector, as outlined in the presidential decree titled “On measures to increase the role and importance of tourism in the economy by sharply increasing the flow of tourists and rapidly expanding the scope of tourist services in 2025–2026,” signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on May 15.

Under the decree, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been instructed to introduce a visa-free regime allowing U.S. citizens to stay in Uzbekistan for up to 30 days within a three-month period. In parallel, the ministry is tasked with initiating negotiations and submitting proposals to simplify visa procedures for Uzbek citizens entering the United States.

Additionally, Uzbekistan will introduce a new entry regime for citizens of the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan. These travelers will be allowed to enter Uzbekistan for up to 30 days using internal documents or ID cards, including the "kinder passport" for individuals under the age of 16.

Uzbek nationals rank among the top three globally in acquiring U.S. residency through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, commonly known as the Green Card lottery. Over 5,000 Uzbeks obtain permanent residency in the U.S. annually. However, Uzbekistan is also among the leading countries whose citizens enter the United States illegally, often via perilous routes through Mexico.

The U.S. government, under the Trump administration, has reaffirmed its goal to deport up to 1 million undocumented immigrants during the first half of the year. By the end of March, more than 100,000 people had already been deported. The previous record of over 400,000 deportations in a single year occurred during President Barack Obama’s administration, between January 2009 and January 2017.

In early April, U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jonathan Henick issued a public statement urging thousands of undocumented Uzbek nationals in the United States to return voluntarily. He warned that failure to do so could result in arrest or deportation.