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The Republic of Uzbekistan is located in Central Asia. According to natural and geographical conditions Uzbekistan is one of the most favorable regions in Central Asia.

The territory of Uzbekistan is a peculiar combination of plains and mountain terrain.Uzbekistan consists of 12 provinces and autonomous Republic of Qoraqalpoghiston.Most of the territory of Uzbekistan is occupied by plains (about four-fifths of the territory). One of the main is Turanian plain.

The east and northeast of the country are situated spurs of the Tien Shan and the Pamir mountains, here is the highest point in the country (4643 m). In the north central part of the territory of Uzbekistan is one of the largest deserts in the world - the Kyzyl Kum, west - the Karakum.

The mountains and foothills are about 1/5 part of the country.

The east of the country is dominated by middle and high landforms. within the republic. Within the territory of the country there are the slopes or the closure of the West Tien Shan (Ugam, Pskem, Chatkalskiy, Kurama) and the Pamir-Alai (Zeravshan, Turkestan, Hissar, Kugitangtau Baysuntau). To the south and west, they gradually fall and into the plains. Stretch between mountains large cavities: Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, Zarafshan, Samarkand are located.

The largest intermountain trough - Ferghana hollow (valley) - lenght 370 kilometers and width up to 190 kilometers. On three sides of it are surrounded by the mountain ranges and is opened only from the west. On the border with Afghanistan is a vast Amu-Darya basin.

Uzbekistan is the cross roads of Central Asia, which creates favorable environment for development of regional cooperation, participation in regional and transnational projects on development of transport corridors.

It’s free trade zone with the CIS countries. Proximity to broad customer markets and developed transport infrastructure of Uzbekistan, integrated into multimodal system of communications of Eurasia, predetermines perspectives of investment, trade and economic cooperation.

Foreign companies investing in Uzbekistan, get access to the 5 largest and the most dynamically developing markets: CIS with the customer market of more than 300 million people, Central and Eastern Europe, South and South East Asia, Middle East.

Favorable geographic location on the intersection of all trade routes among above regions, developed multimodal network, covering the markets, located far outside of Central Asia, including Eastern part of the Middle East, Northern part of India and Western part of China, is an important competitive advantage, which allows to significantly reduce the time and costs of delivery of cargoes through the territory of Uzbekistan.

Today, Uzbekistan is creating all necessary conditions for further development and increase of transit potential. The country is constructing new main railway line and highway inside the country, renovating international main transit railway lines and highways, modernizing international airports, creating specialized international transport terminals, developing corresponding legal framework.

The treaties on creation of the MFN in trade with 45 countries of the world including Japan, China, USA, Korea, EU and Free Trade Zone established among the CIS signatory states, allows to significantly increase the competitiveness of Uzbekistan’s products on foreign markets.

The Republic of Uzbekistan consists of 12 provinces and autonomous Republic of Qoraqalpoghiston.

The Republic of Uzbekistan is situated between the rivers Amu Darya and Syr Darya, and covers an area of 448.9 sq. km.

The length of the territory of the Republic from west to east is 1 425 km from north to south - 930 km.

The territory in the north and north-east of the Rebublic of Uzbekistan borders with Kazakhstan, in the east and south-east with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in the west with Turkmenistan, in the south with Afghanistan.

The total length of the country border is 6 221 km.

The long border with Afghanistan is 137 km, with Kazakhstan - 2 203 km, with Kyrgyzstan - 1 099 km, with Tajikistan - 1 161 km and Turkmenistan - 1 621 km. 

Uzbekistan is multination country. Uzbek is the state language, Russian is the language of international communication.

As January 1, 2014 the population of the republic is 30,488.6 thousand people.

Thu number of population in January-December 2013 increased to 495.1 thousand people or 1.7 percent.

The number of births in 2013 was 674.9 thousand people (birth rate - 22.3 ppm), the number of deaths 145.0 thousand people (mortality rate - 4.8 ppm).

As January 1, 2014, the urban population amounted to 15,552.8 thousand people (51.0 percent of the total population), the rural population - 14935.8 thousand people (49.0 percent).

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From 2000 to 2014, the population of Uzbekistan increased by 5 million people and reached 30.5 million people. In 2012, the birth rate was 21.0 per thousand, the death rate - 4.9 ppmIt’s the state, where representatives of more than a hundred ethnic groups and dozens of religions live in peace and concord. 

Almost 80% of population of the country is Uzbeks.

Uzbekistan is multiethnic country with more than 100 ethnic groups:

5.5% - Russians,

5%-Tajiks,

3%-Kazakhs,

2.5%-Qoraqalpoqs,

1.5% - Tatars,

2.5% - miscellaneous.

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Religious confessions consist of Muslims (mainly Sunnites) - 88%, Orthodox - 9% and miscellaneous (Judaists, Buddhists, Catholics, protestants and others) -3%.

The Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as other Central Asian countries, is remarkable for relatively young population and high share of working age population.

The share of people under working age in total number of population is 39%, working age  - 54%, above working age - 7%.

Uzbekistan is among the CIS countries with the highest growth rate in fertility over the past three years.

Among the CIS countries in terms of population of Uzbekistan is ranked third after Russia and Ukraine.

Uzbekistan is among the CIS countries with the highest growth rate in fertility over the past three years.

Among the CIS countries in terms of population of Uzbekistan is ranked third after Russia and Ukraine.

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The population of the Republic of Uzbekistan as a whole and by regions on 01.01.2014 .
The Republic of Uzbekistan, total - 30,492.8 thousand, including:·

Republic of Karakalpakstan - 1736.5 thousand;·        

Andijan region - 2805.5 thousand;·        

Bukhara region - 1756.4 thousand;·        

Djizzak region - 1226.8 thousand;·        

Kashkadarya region - 2895.3 thousand;·        

Navoi region - 901.1 thousand;·        

Namangan region - 2504.1 thousand;·        

Samarkand region - 3445.6 thousand;·        

Surkhandarya region - 2308.3 thousand;·        

Syrdarya region - 763.8 thousand;·        

Tashkent region - 2725.9 thousand;·        

Fergana region - 3386.5 thousand;·        

Khorezm region - 1684.1 thousand;         

Tashkent city - 2352.9 thousand

Employment of nationals and foreign citizens in Uzbekistan is regulated by the Labor Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Labor relations are regulated by collective agreements and individual employment contracts. Employment contracts must meet the standards prescribed by Uzbek law. Written employment contracts are compulsory and are usually valid for an unlimited period. Fixed-term contracts, either for five years or less, or for the duration of a project, are possible under certain conditions.Notice of dismissal under a fixed-term contract must be provided no later than one week after the last day of the contract, otherwise the contract will be regarded as having been confirmed and the appointment made permanent. Employees are protected against instant dismissal, except in cases of drunkenness, theft and "immoral activity". Dismissal for other reasons, such as incompetence, must be preceded by a history of under-performance and a minimum of three reprimands. It is recommended that job descriptions be given to all staff, and that they be informed of the disciplinary procedures in force at the enterprise.Foreign and local companies may hire employees directly, without using employment or recruitment agencies.

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Work Books

Uzbek nationals must provide an employer with a workbook containing personal details and a record of their past and current work history. The workbook is issued for determining the amount to be paid from the State Social Insurance Fund for an employee’s temporary illness or disability and for determining an employee's rights to a state pension. If an employee does not have a workbook, the employer must provide him with a new one within five days of commencing employment.

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Working Week

The regular working week is 40 hours. Overtime work may be allowed only with the employee's consent.

There are certain categories of work where overtime work is not permissible. Overtime work may not exceed four hours within two days and 120 hours per year. Overtime work must be compensated at a rate of at least 200% of the employee's regular wage.

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Sick Leave

An employer is not obliged to pay for an employee’s leave of absence due to temporary illness or disability.

The employee is paid from the State Social Insurance Fund in amounts varying from 75% to 100% of the employee’s wage.

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Maternity Leave

Leaves on maternity shall be given for women by length of seventy calendar days up to child birth and fifty six (in case of a complicated delivery or at birth of two or more children - seventy) calendar days after birth with payment of a grant on the state social insurance.

Leave on maternity shall be estimated totally and shall be given to a woman completely regardless of number of days used actually up to birth.

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Foreign Workers in Uzbekistan

Companies with foreign employees in Uzbekistan must obtain a foreign labor license from the Agency on Foreign Labor Migration Issues (the "Agency"). A licensed company must also obtain a work permit (confirmation) from the Agency for each foreign employee.

The Agency should issue a foreign labor license within 30 days from the date of submission of all required documents.

The procedure for issuing work permits for foreign employees is similar to the procedure for obtaining foreign labor licenses.  A foreign labor license and/or employee's work permit are valid for no more than one year.

The fee for a foreign labor license is 10 times the minimum monthly wage. There is no fee for an employee's work permit.Foreigners working in representative offices are excluded from the foreign labor license and work permit requirements. But each foreigner working in a representative office must obtain an individual accreditation card from the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan .

There are nine official public holidays:·        

New Year - January 1·        

International Women’s Day - March 8·        

Navruz - March 21·        

Memorial Day - May 9·        

Independence Day - September 1·        

Tutor’s and Teacher’s Day - October 1·        

Constitution Day - December 8·        

Iyd Al-Fitr (religious holiday) – date varies·        

Iyd Al-Adha (religious holiday) – date variesThe minimum paid annual vacation is 15 working days.

Certain categories of employees (underage workers, working disabled employees) may receive extended paid annual vacation of up to 30 working days.

The Uzbek people is one of the oldest nations in the world and has almost 3000 year old history of statehood. Archaeological finds in the territories monuments Selengur, Kulbulak Teshiktash and prove that the first human settlement on the territory of Uzbekistan were more 1-1.2 million years ago.

Ancient Khorezm and Bactria are early states on the territory of Uzbekistan, during the formation of which is accounted for VIII-VII centuries. BC.

Monuments Afrasiyab, Kuzalikir, Uzunkir, Yerkurgan can serve as an example of urban culture.

One of the monotheistic religions - Zoroastrianism originated in the territory of Uzbekistan.

Avesta - the holy book of Zoroastrianism is the spiritual heritage of the Uzbek people....

According to the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan foreign citizens and stateless persons can enter Uzbekistan or travel through its territory for transit on the basis of entrance visas only.

Foreign citizens and stateless persons can get visas at the diplomatic representations and consular missions of the Republic of Uzbekistan abroad on the basis of the visa support (confirmation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan).

Visa support is issued on the basis of application of the inviting organization, company and persons who are permanently or temporarily residing in Uzbekistan and submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

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Processing of visa application is up to 10 working days if documents have been submitted due to the established order.

Foreign citizens and stateless persons arriving from the countries wh ere there is no diplomatic representation or consular mission of the Republic of Uzbekistan can get visas upon arrival at the Visa Section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan at the Tashkent International Airport.  In this case the inviting physical or juridical person in Uzbekistan must apply in advance to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan in due order, get visa confirmation (stamp) of the Visa Division of the Consular Department and forward it to the invited person. This confirmation should be shown by invited person while buying an air-ticket and passing through passport control and the visa shall be issued on its basis on arrival at the Visa Section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan at the Tashkent International Airport.

Except these fees the fees for reimbursement of actual expenses related to the visa issuance (administrative fees) will be also paid. The rates of these fees depend on the place of visa issuance (irrespective of applicant’s citizenship).

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Note. VISA REGULATIONS FOR SOME COUNTRIES:

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1. A bilateral visa-free regime has been established with Kyrgyzstan (up to 60 days), Tajikistan (up to 30 days), Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine.

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2. A visa-free regime is introduced for 30 days period for citizens of Andorra Principality, Australian Union, Austrian Republic, Argentine Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina,  Brunei Darussalam State, Canada, Czech Republic, Federative Republic of Brazil, Federal Republic of Germany, Finland Republic, French Republic, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Hungary, Greek Republic, Israel, Indonesia, Ireland, Iceland, Italian Republic,  Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Principality of Monaco, the Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Kingdom of Norway, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Portugal Republic, Republic of Bulgaria, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Korea, Republic of Malta, Republic of Poland, Republic of San Marino, Republic of Serbia, Singapore, Republic of Slovenia, Republic of Croatia, Republic of Chile, Romania, Slovak Republic, Republic of Turkey, Swiss Confederation, Republic of Estonia, Japan, UUU, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland , Vatican.

The visa-free regime applies to citizens of these countries, holders of all categories of passports (diplomatic, service and civil) planning to visit the Republic of Uzbekistan for up to 30 days, regardless of the purpose of their trip. In order to enter the country, a person must have a valid national passport or another substitute document used for travel to foreign countries.

The visa-free regime does not apply to stateless persons permanently residing in the territories of these countries.

Accordingly, the visa-free regime is valid for 30 days from the date of entry into Uzbekistan. Before the end of the 30-day visa-free stay period, a foreign citizen must leave the Republic of Uzbekistan. Exceeding the 30-day visa-free stay is recognized as violation of the Rules of stay of foreign citizens in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Accordingly, if it is necessary to stay in Uzbekistan for more than 30 days, a foreign citizen must obtain an entry visa to the Republic of Uzbekistan in accordance with the established procedure, corresponding to the purpose of his trip.

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3. Visa-free entry to the Republic of Uzbekistan for foreign citizens up to 16 year old with biometric travel document. In this case they must be accompanied by legal representatives and they can stay in Uzbekistan for the duration of the visa of the accompanying person, but not more than ninety days since the date of entry into the country.

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4. A visa-free regime is established with China, Hungary, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan (up to 30 days), India, the Republic of Korea and Vietnam (up to 60 days), Brazil, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Estonia, Kuwait and Turkey (up to 90 days). Citizens of these countries (except India) who hold diplomatic passports and are accredited as employees of diplomatic missions or consular offices of their countries located on the territory of Uzbekistan, as well as members of their families have the right to enter and stay without visas for the entire period of work.

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5. Introduced the system of issuing electronic entry tourist visas (e-visa.gov.uz) for foreign citizens, which has simplified the procedure of issuing visas (list of countries in Attachment 1);

Starting from March 15, 2019, new system of electronic entry visas with a validity period of 30 days has been introduced:

- double entry, with a consular fee of $ 35;

- multiple entry, with a consular fee of $ 50.

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6. Introduced new short-term transit visa-free entry to the Republic of Uzbekistan for a period of five days for a citizens of several countries (list of countries in Attachment 2). In this case the foreigners must come through international airports of Uzbekistan, showing to frontier officer that they have an air ticket of “Uzbekistan Airways” National aircompany to a third country. This procedure is applying to transiting passengers wishing to explore the sights-seeing of Uzbekistan.

7. Uzbekistan and Japan issue visas without consular fees on the mutual basis.

Source: www.mfa.uz

[ April 12, 2019 ]