The Uzbek authorities will introduce a tourist visa program called “Uzbekistan is my second home,” allowing foreign visitors to legally stay in the country for up to a year without restrictions.
According to VisaGuide.World, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also presented a three-year plan to develop the region’s tourism industry. In the western part of Khorezm, in the city of Khiva, the authorities plan to open new cafes, restaurants, and grocery stores around the clock. Major Uzbek cities, including Urgench north of Khiva, are set to receive about $2.4 million in subsidies to reduce airfare.
The Uzbek authorities emphasized that the main purpose of the visa is to attract wealthy foreigners with a high level of education, rich life experience, and professional skills to the country. It was also noted that specialists will be able to live in Uzbekistan both alone and with their families.
The new visa aims to further strengthen the country’s economy by increasing the number of tourists.
According to the Chairman of the Tourism Committee Umid Shadiev, in 2023, 7 million foreign citizens visited Uzbekistan for tourism purposes, which is 1.3 times more than in 2022.