Interim President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree “On measures on ensuring rapid development of tourism industry in Uzbekistan”.

The decree said that from 1 April 2017, Uzbekistan cancels the visa regime for the citizens of Australia, Austria, Great Britain, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Finland, Switzerland and Japan, entering the country for tourism for a period of no more than 30 days.

Uzbekistan also abolishes the visa regime for citizens from Belgium, Indonesia, China (a part of tourist groups), Malaysia, the USA, France, Vietnam, Israel, Poland, Hungary, Portugal and the Czech Republic, who have reached 55 years of age and entering Uzbekistan for tourism at a period not exceeding 30 days.

Citizens of these countries at the entrance to Uzbekistan will pay an entry fee of US$50. The fee will be transferred to the state budget.

The document, confirming the payment of entrance fee, will serve as basis for entry to Uzbekistan, the decree said.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan in cooperation with Ministry of Finance, Ministry on development of information technologies and communications, Central Bank of Uzbekistan were ordered to submit an order of payment of entry fee by foreign citizens by 1 March 2017.

Uzbekistan Temir Yollari (Uzbekistan Railways) and Uzbekiston Havo Yollari (Uzbekistan Airways) in cooperation with the Committee on protection of state borders and State Customs Committee, as well as State Committee on development of tourism (former Uzbektourism) were entrusted to adopt measures on introduction of “green corridors” for foreign tourists at the international airports Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Urgench with simplified procedures of passing passport and customs control, and receiving luggage and providing transport services.

They were also entrusted to organize separate passage of passport control to residents and non-residents to create additional convenience to foreign citizens and speed up passing of this procedure.