Planning a holiday to Uzbekistan just became a lot more exciting for Indian travelers. Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Uzbekistan, the Central Asian destination has announced two significant developments for Indian visitors: a 30-day visa-free regime for Indian citizens and the introduction of UPI-enabled payments through Uzbekistan’s UZQR system.

Together, these moves are set to make Uzbekistan more accessible and convenient for Indian travelers while strengthening the growing tourism and people-to-people ties between the two countries.

30 Days, Visa-Free: Uzbekistan Opens Its Doors Wider

One of the most significant developments for Indian travellers is Uzbekistan’s announcement of a 30-day visa-free regime for Indian citizens.

The move is expected to simplify travel planning and encourage Indian visitors to look beyond shorter city breaks and explore Uzbekistan through longer, more immersive itineraries.

The announcement is particularly significant given the existing visa framework. The Embassy of India in Tashkent’s official visa information currently lists an e-Visa facility for Indian citizens, with applications made online through Uzbekistan’s official e-Visa portal. The Embassy advises applicants to apply at least three working days before travel.

The Embassy also lists a five-day visa-free transit facility for Indian citizens travelling through Uzbekistan’s international airports, subject to an onward ticket within five days and the airline notifying Uzbekistan’s border authorities of eligible passengers.

Against this existing framework, the newly announced 30-day visa-free policy represents a significant proposed expansion of visa-free access for Indian travellers, subject to the formal implementation and updating of the applicable visa regulations.

For travellers, the longer visa-free window could open the possibility of exploring Uzbekistan at a more relaxed pace from Tashkent and Samarkand to Bukhara and Khiva, while experiencing the country’s Silk Road heritage, architecture, bazaars, cuisine, and contemporary culture.

Who qualifies for the visa-free entry to Uzbekistan

The foreign visa must have been issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the US, the UK or a Schengen member state. It must be valid and allow multiple entries when the traveller enters Uzbekistan.

The exemption covers business and tourist visas only. It is not blanket visa-free access for all Indian passport holders; travellers who do not meet the conditions are still subject to Uzbekistan’s standard visa rules.

Click to know more: https://eoitashkent.gov.in/uzbekistan-visa/

Apply for a Visa: https://e-visa.gov.uz/application

And now, you can take UPI to Uzbekistan.

If visa-free travel makes getting there easier, UPI is set to make paying while there more convenient.

NPCI International Payments Limited has entered into a commercial agreement with Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre, the operator of the country’s HUMO payment system. Under the arrangement, Indian travellers can use their familiar UPI-enabled apps to scan Uzbekistan’s national UZQR codes and make merchant payments.

That means Indian tourists can make direct payments from their Indian bank accounts at participating merchants instead of depending entirely on cash or international cards.

The UZQR integration is designed to support payments across retail, hospitality, and service merchants, bringing India's familiar digital payment experience to another popular international destination.

For travelers, the appeal is simple: less cash to carry, fewer payment hassles, and a more familiar way to pay while exploring a new country.

From Getting There to Getting Around Uzbekistan Is Getting More Traveller-Friendly

The timing of these developments is particularly significant. India and Uzbekistan have elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, with tourism, digital public infrastructure, and people-to-people connections forming part of the expanding bilateral cooperation.

Uzbekistan is already an attractive proposition for Indian travelers, offering a unique combination of Silk Road history, magnificent architecture, vibrant bazaars, Uzbek cuisine, and modern city experiences.

Now, with 30-day visa-free travel announced for Indian citizens and UPI payment connectivity being established, the destination is becoming even more accessible.

So, whether it is walking through the blue-tiled wonders of Samarkand, discovering the historic lanes of Bukhara, exploring Khiva’s ancient city walls, or experiencing contemporary Tashkent, Indian travelers have more reasons than ever to put Uzbekistan on their travel list.

The Silk Road is calling and getting there just got a whole lot easier.