Our report on applying for an Uzbekistan visa in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan in August 2016. Includes visa requirements, application fees, and directions to the embassy.
Uzbekistan has recently updated its visa policy. It has introduced an e-visa system, and has given nationals of several countries 30-day vise free entry. Check out the website of the Uzbek MFA for more info.
Previously the stuff of nightmares, applying for Uzbekistan visa in Bishkek is rather straightforward these days. If you have an LOI, you can get it the same day. If you don’t, the process takes five working days.
Getting an Uzbekistan Letter of Invitation (LOI)
Some nationalities need a letter of invitation from a tour company in Uzbekistan to apply for an Uzbekistan visa. Citizens of the following countries do not need an LOI:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Malaysia
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- UK
- USA
If your country isn’t on the list, or you just want an LOI for same-day visa service, we recommend Stantours. An LOI costs $70 per person, and takes 10-14 days to process. You can find a list of application requirements on their website. They reply quickly and give honest advice: for example, they told Alex she could get a visa without an LOI, being a British citizen.
Getting to the Uzbekistan embassy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
To make things confusing, the Uzbekistan embassy has recently changed locations, and is a bit hard to find. The new location is in a residential area close to the Kazakhstan embassy, and next to the Oxford International School. A taxi to the embassy should be between 100 and 150 som. If going by public transport, marshrutka 132 has a stop that’s a 15 minute walk from the embassy.
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Once you’re facing at the Oxford school, head through the gate to the right, then follow the road until you hit a fork.
Take the right road, and after 50 meters, the embassy will be on your left.
Applying for an Uzbekistan visa in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
The embassy is open for visa applications Tuesday – Friday from 10:00 to 13:00. Theoretically, you have to make an appointment, but it’s really not necessary–no one asks about an appointment. Just show up around 10:00. The earlier the better, as it’s first come, first serve.
To apply for your visa, you’ll need:
- A passport valid for at least 6 months
- A copy of your passport’s information page
- A copy of your Kyrgyzstan entry stamp
- An LOI if necessary, or for same day processing
- 2 passport photos
- Visa application form, to be filled in online and printed out
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Once it’s your turn, you can approach the desk inside and hand over your materials. The clerk we met with was pleasant, and was fine with us changing the dates of our visa, despite already having set dates on the LOI.
If attempting to pick up a visa on the same day, you’ll be given a bank payment slip, and will be given the visa after you head to the bank to pay. If not, your visa will be ready for pickup in about one week, once you’ve paid the fees at the bank.
You should be able to keep your passport during the visa processing time.
Once you have your visa, make sure to double-check the information before you leave the embassy. It’s not uncommon for mistakes to be made!
Visa fees
A visa for EU citizens cost $75, payable at the KICB.
The closest KICB bank is about two kilometers away, so unless you’re in for walk, it’s best to take a taxi, which should cost 50 – 100 som.
To walk, head outside the residential area, turn right, then go left at the crossroads. After about two kilometers, you’ll see the KICB building.
Payment is done in USD. The bank will give you a proof-of-payment slip to show at the embassy. Make sure not to lose it!
Ahhhhh yes I remember this very well! :p Going through as an Australian was slightly more complicated, as you mentioned, but I did use Stantours and have nothing but praise for them. When I paid, however, I was allowed to pay in cash! It was a a few years ago though, so perhaps things have changed…
Yeah, Stantours is definitely the most professional outfit for these sorts of documents. Paying cash isn’t possible anymore, unfortunately. I guess some of that cash occasionally went “missing”.
Hi,
First of all thanks for this guide! So far it has been very useful to me. I have just one question; how did you manage to submit a letter confirming your employment for the LOI? I’m currently traveling for a couple of months and decided to quit my job. Thanks!
You’re most welcome, glad it’s useful.
There are two options. Either you tell the embassy you don’t have a job, or you fake it.
Hi Tim!
i got the same issue, what did you do in the end?
I saw on net visa fees for Indian citizens is 20$
Tourist single entry 30 days is that correct,?
Torest vsa
Can the visa fee be paid at the bank by credit card?