FAQ

IMPORT AND EXPORT OF CASH FOREIGN CURRENCY
The import of cash foreign currency in the Republic of Uzbekistan is carried out without restrictions.
The amount of cash foreign currency equal to or not exceeding the equivalent of 2000 (two thousand) US dollars is not subject to written declaration.
The obligatory written declaration for import and export is subject to the entire amount of cash foreign currency in excess of the equivalent of 2000 (two thousand) US dollars.
Export over the established amount is carried out:
Residents - on the basis of a permit from the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
Non-residents - on the basis of a passenger customs declaration filled out upon entry into the Republic of Uzbekistan, in which the amount of cash in foreign currency is indicated at least the amount of exported cash in foreign currency. IMPORT AND EXPORT OF CASH NATIONAL CURRENCY
The cash national currency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, above 5 minimum wages, is subject to mandatory written declaration.
Import and export of cash national currency of the Republic of Uzbekistan is allowed within the amount not exceeding 50 minimum monthly wages.
Uzbekistan is 5 hours ahead of GMT.
220 volts AC, Round 2 pin continental (European) plugs are used.
According to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan dd. 16.04.1999 No 178 foreign citizens visiting Uzbekistan on temporary basis must submit documents for registration at the place of residence within 72 hours upon arrival to Uzbekistan. Registration is not necessary if you arrive to Uzbekistan during weekend or holidays or a period of your stay will not exceed three working days. During stay in a hotel your stay will be registered by hotel administration. Upon checking out you should remember of taking the registration form stamped by the hotel administration with you. If you intend to rent an apartment you should care of registration. The registration is provided by local department of internal affairs authority. If you do not stay in a specific settlement of the Republic more than three days according to your itinerary you should not submit any document for registration. However, you should remember that you should provide convincing documentary argument to passport control bodies while leaving Uzbekistan. This documentation should be presented by air- and railway tickets registered on your name and additionally attached program of your tour.
Violation of a registration mode leads to the penalty in 600-1200 US$ or deportation from the territory of the country, and repeated violation is the penalty of 2500-5000 US$or imprisonment from 1 to 3 years.
As per the law, people 16 years and older may legally import 200 cigarettes or 300gm of tobacco product. It is also perfectly legal to import 2 liters of alcoholic beverages (2 bottles) or 2 liters of wine.
Objects that are not permitted are military arms and ammunition, narcotics (drugs) and weapons Hunting guns and live animals are subject to special permission. Vehicles are subject to registration fees on the border of Republic of Uzbekistan.
Yes, it is advised to carry your passport with you while you are in Uzbekistan, especially while you are on an independent sightseeing, during the transfers between cities, train and bus stations etc. If you to walk outside the hotel, especially at the night time the police have the authority to check your passport which is a regular feature and you should not be worried about it. Your passport and registration card should be with you at all times.
Credit cards (Amex, Visa and Master Card) are accepted in most of the hotels and restaurants here. However it is not a very well developed system, hence it is also advised to carry a good amount of cash with you as well, so as to avoid any troublesome situation. You may exchange you credit card for cash in sum at some hotels, f.e. Uzbekistan, Radisson Blu, International hotel, City Palace, Lotte  etc. but this is upon actual availability of local currency (Soum) in the ATM at the time of withdrawal.
When you have you local SIM card with you (Beeline operator is the best option), it takes less than a minute to activate, which can be checked by the name of the service provider which appears on your cell phone screen. The number will be for eg. +998 (country code) 90 (service provider code) 1234567 (actual seven digit cell phone number). You may send a text message to anyone locally by using the entire number internationally by using the country code (for eg. India +91) followed by their ten digit mobile number. Incoming is not charged and hence, you can receive calls or text messages, from your friends, family and relatives if they dial the entire number eg. +998 90 1234567.
You are allowed to take photographs / video shooting everywhere, except tourist attractions where a nominal charge is levied eg. USD 10. In these places, they also have professional photographers who would take group or solo photographs for a nominal fee. Photography is strictly prohibited in the Underground Metros for security purposes, and there are local police at every metro station. It is at their discretion, where they can either give you a warning first or simply confiscate your camera or cell phone. If you wish to take photographs of the local people, it is normally advised to request them beforehand.
Yes, here you can taste vegetarian dishes in Uzbek cafes and restaurants. In addition, there are several Indian restaurants in Tashkent that are owned and operated by Indian citizens who would be more than happy to prepare food according to your request and preferences, such as The Host, the restaurant at the Ramada hotel, Raaj Kapur etc.
Tashkent is known for it's bustling nightlife culture and the entire city is dotted with many discos and nightclubs. Some of them worth mentioning are One More, Queens, Gostym, 7 pyatnic( 7 fridays), FM Bar, The Time, Shelby, Eleven, Brand 910 etc.. It is free over the weekdays, but have charges applicable after 11 pm.
Invitation of an extra guest is a routine practice in Uzbekistani hotels, so it is possible to invite a visitor without any formalities till 23.00 p.m. and with a mandatory registration after 23.00 p.m. The registration procedure is easy and requires just few steps. Firstly, a potential guest has to provide his or her passport at the reception of the hotel for safety and security reasons. Secondly, extra guest is a paid service and you as a hotel guest have to pay a small fee in the amount from 15 to 30 US$ per person. Please collect the receipt from the reception. Also be informed that some hotels can charge extra guest supplement by the price of Double room.
There are big markets (bazaars) in all cities of Uzbekistan which open from 8.00 in the morning till evening time and most of the time they are open as long as buyers come. Spice, delicious Uzbek fruits and dried fruits, souvenirs of local handicraftsmen, ceramic, wood and silk products, carpets and tasteful Uzbek wine can be bought here. Images of modern artists can be bought on "Broadway" or specialized shops in Tashkent at reasonable price. However, you should find out date of issue of those ancient products you want to buy. According to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan dd. 23.03.1999 No 131 cultural values created more than fifty years ago are not subject to export from the Republic. Furthermore, it would be reasonable to ask the seller if there is an export certificate for this kind of product and if its three month valid period is not expired (according to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan dd. 06.07.2005 г. N 156). If the certificate is not available or the date was expired you will need to get a permission for export of this product from the department of art expertise (for export and import of cultural values) at the Ministry of Culture and Sport located on Lashkarbegi street, 19 (reference place - Hamid Alimjan metro station, opposite Latvian Embassy), tel. +998712370738. Art expertise of cultural values is provided in a day of application and provision of the product subject to expertise, extreme deadline (in case of disputable issue) is a period not exceeding ten days. If there is permission for export the customs fee should be paid in amount of 100% estimation indicated in the permission.
A special permission for export of mass and serial production created during last fifty years is not required.
Tashkent is one of the safest cities in the world with one of the best security and police network functioning at all times. The local police are very friendly, especially to travelers and are always happy to give directions, incase you feel you have lost your way. There are police patrol cars on every road and street corner, and it is safe for even ladies to move around late in the night.
English is still not widely spoken among the local community. The languages spoken here are Uzbek, Russian, and Tajik. English is usually spoken in private offices, hotels, restaurants, gift shops, boutiques, and some government offices. However, if you need help and assistance, you can ask for some local young people / students who can speak modern English. In tourist areas, the tourist police patrol, which speaks fluent English and will provide you with any assistance.
Tashkent is a very well balanced and modern city that has a lot of choices in terms of local transportation. There are taxis, buses, and also the Underground Metro system that comprises of 3 lines and 29 stations. All the transportation systems are easy and convenient to use and are also economical.
Important note: taxis in Uzbekistan, with the exception of Tashkent, are mostly represented by private cars without special instructions in the form of a checkered strip ("checkered"), so the fare must be discussed in advance with the taxi driver. In addition, it should be remembered that the cost of a taxi in Uzbekistan is several times less than in other CIS countries. At the same time , travelers are not recommended to take a taxi from the street, it is better to contact the reception at the hotel, download the taxi service app, or contact drivers standing on the so - called "nickels" (specially designed area) - a crowded place at an intersection or tourist inspection. Despite the fact that the fare of these drivers may be higher, most of them know the local routes well. In any case, the best way is to download the taxi service app (MYTAXI or YANDEX TAXI)