Americans Can Visit This Historic Silk Road Country Visa-free Starting in 2026-What to Know

"The new policy represents an important step toward deepening mutual understanding and expanding business, academic and cultural exchanges between the two countries. The visa-free regime will enable U.S. citizens to travel more freely throughout Uzbekistan, discover its rich historical heritage, and explore its investment and tourism opportunities."

"Travelers are drawn to the country's authenticity-much of what they encounter here is real and uncontrived: traditional crafts, markets, family-run restaurants, guesthouses and boutique hotels, ancient madrasahs, and contemporary cultural spaces coexist naturally. At the same time, Uzbekistan is actively developing as a tourism destination, with new hotels opening, logistics improving, and service standards steadily rising."

Uzbekistan will lift visa requirements for U.S. travelers starting January 1, 2026, permitting visa-free stays of up to 30 days. The government characterized the policy as a measure to deepen mutual understanding and to expand business, academic, and cultural exchanges, while promoting investment and tourism. Uzbekistan borders Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, and is known for notable architecture and historical sites. Travelers encounter authentic traditions, crafts, markets, family-run restaurants, guesthouses, madrasahs, and contemporary cultural spaces. Tourism infrastructure is improving with new hotels, better logistics, rising service standards, and emphasis on education, business development, women's entrepreneurship, and technology.

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