Uzbekistan Visa Support for Tourists: A Complete Guide to the Letter of Invitation

Uzbekistan has become one of Central Asia’s most accessible destinations. Over the past few years the country has opened its doors to travellers from around the world, and for most nationalities the visa process is now simple or unnecessary. Yet a specific group of tourists still needs visa support — a Letter of Invitation (LOI) approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — before they can enter. This guide explains exactly who needs it, how it works, and what it costs, so you can plan your trip with confidence.

First, check whether you even need a visa

Before arranging any paperwork, confirm which of the three entry regimes applies to your nationality. This single check can save you both time and money.

1. Visa-free entry
   Citizens of around 90 countries — including the EU, the United Kingdom, most CIS states, Japan, South Korea, the UAE, Malaysia, Singapore and many others — can enter Uzbekistan without any visa, typically for 30 days. If your country is on this list, you need no invitation and no application: simply arrive with a passport valid for at least six months. Longer stays or non-tourism purposes may still require a visa.
2. Electronic visa (e-visa)
   Citizens of dozens of additional countries can apply for an electronic visa entirely online, with no need to visit an embassy or involve a tour company. The e-visa is issued for a single entry of up to 30 days and remains valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Apply at least three working days before your planned travel date through the official portal, e-visa.gov.uz. You will need a passport scan, a photo and a payment card — nothing more.
3. Standard visa with visa support (Letter of Invitation)
   If your nationality appears on neither the visa-free list nor the e-visa list, you will need to obtain a standard tourist visa at an Uzbek embassy or consulate — and for that you first need visa support: an official invitation approved by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is where a licensed local tour operator comes in.

What is visa support (a Letter of Invitation)?

Visa support, often called a Letter of Invitation or LOI, is an official confirmation issued by the Consular-Legal Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Uzbekistan. Under Uzbek law, a tourist visa is granted on the basis of an invitation-application submitted by a legal entity registered in Uzbekistan — in the case of tourism, a company holding a valid tour-operator licence.

Once the MFA approves the invitation, it sends a visa confirmation (a telex) directly to the specific Uzbek embassy or consulate where you intend to collect your visa. You then present your passport there and receive the visa sticker. In short: the tour operator applies in Uzbekistan, the MFA confirms, and you collect the visa abroad.

How the process works, step by step

1. Confirm you need it. Verify that your nationality is not covered by visa-free entry or the e-visa system.
2. Contact a licensed tour operator. Only a company with a valid Uzbek tour-operator licence can file an invitation on your behalf.
3. Provide your details. Send a clear scan of your passport (valid for at least three months beyond the visa), your personal data, and the exact embassy or consulate where you plan to collect the visa.
4. The operator files the application. The company submits the invitation-application, together with the electronic form generated on the MFA portal and supporting documents, to the Consular-Legal Department of the MFA.
5. The MFA reviews and confirms. Applications are considered within four working days (standard). The MFA then telexes the visa confirmation to your chosen embassy or consulate.
6. You collect your visa. Visit the embassy or consulate with your passport, application form and photos, pay the consular fee, and receive your tourist visa.

Documents you will need to provide

For a tourist Letter of Invitation, the traveller usually needs to supply only a few items — the tour operator handles the rest of the paperwork on the Uzbek side:

• A colour scan of your passport, valid for at least three months beyond the visa’s expiry.
• Your personal and passport data (full name exactly as printed, date of birth, passport number and validity).
• The exact Uzbek embassy or consulate where you intend to collect the visa.
• In some cases, confirmation of employment and your itinerary or hotel booking.

If you are travelling from a country that has no Uzbek diplomatic mission, a visa may be issued on arrival at Tashkent International Airport — but only if the inviting operator arranges an airport visa confirmation in advance. Never travel expecting a visa on arrival without this confirmation in hand.

Fees and timelines

Consular fees are set by the Government of Uzbekistan and are paid when the visa is issued. The most relevant rates for tourists are shown below.

An additional service fee may apply at the point of issuance, depending on where the visa is processed. Group tourist visas require a group of at least five people. Rates are indicative and can change by order of the MFA — always confirm the current tariff before you pay.

As for timing, the MFA reviews a tourist invitation within four working days. Allowing for document preparation on the operator’s side and visa collection at the consulate, a realistic end-to-end estimate is roughly one to two weeks. Apply well ahead of your departure date.

How we can help

As a licensed tour company, we can arrange your Letter of Invitation (visa support) on the basis of a tour package purchased with us. Once you book your trip, we prepare and file the invitation-application with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on your behalf and keep you updated until your visa confirmation is issued — so you can focus on the journey, not the paperwork.

Visa support service fee (per person, in addition to the consular fee):

• Standard processing — USD 25 per person
• Urgent processing — USD 55 per person

The service fee covers the preparation and submission of your invitation and is charged in addition to the government consular fee shown above. To get started, simply book a tour package with us and send us a clear scan of your passport.

Practical tips

• Check your passport validity first. For visa-free entry it should be valid for at least six months; for a visa, at least three months beyond the visa’s expiry.
• Get the collection point right. The MFA sends the confirmation to one specific embassy or consulate. Choose the one most convenient for you before the operator files the application.
• Spell your name exactly as in your passport. Any mismatch can delay approval or invalidate the confirmation.
• Keep a digital copy of everything. Save your passport scan, the invitation reference and your confirmation for the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Do most tourists need visa support for Uzbekistan?

No. The majority of travellers either enter visa-free or use the online e-visa. Visa support is required only for nationalities not covered by those two regimes.

Can I arrange visa support myself?

No. Under Uzbek law the invitation-application must be filed by a legal entity registered in Uzbekistan. For tourism, that means a licensed tour operator.

How long does approval take?

The MFA considers a tourist invitation within four working days. Building in preparation and consular collection, plan for one to two weeks overall.

Is the e-visa the same as visa support?

No. The e-visa is a self-service online visa for eligible nationalities. Visa support is a separate MFA-approved invitation used to obtain a standard visa at an embassy or consulate.

Official resources

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs — visa information: gov.uz
• Official e-visa portal: e-visa.gov.uz

This article is for general information only. Visa rules, country lists, fees and processing times are set by the Uzbek authorities and can change; always confirm the latest requirements with an official source or a licensed tour operator before you travel.