Moving to Uzbekistan in 2026

Moving to Uzbekistan: entry, first 30 days, 3-month budget

Russian citizens enter Uzbekistan visa-free and can stay up to 60 days. For stays over 15 days temporary registration at your place of stay is required: hotels do it automatically, and for a rented flat the landlord or you yourself do it via government online services. Living there longer needs a status: a work permit, your own company, work with resident companies of the state technology park, or a residence permit for buying a home.

1. Before the trip. Choosing the ground, documents for a job or company, and checking the property if you are buying.
2. Days 1-30. Registration at your place of stay, renting, a bank account, registering a company or signing an employment contract.
3. Days 30-90. A temporary residence permit on your ground before the 60 days end, or a residence permit after buying a home.

Outside the centre a one-bedroom flat costs about $330-380 a month, and new residential complexes in the capital are the most expensive. A residence permit for buying a home requires from $300,000 in Tashkent and Tashkent region, from $200,000 in major regional centres and from $100,000 elsewhere. We calculate a family budget in the chat.

Uzbekistan in brief

Uzbekistan is the most populous country in Central Asia, with about 37 million people. The capital is Tashkent, home to about 3 million, and Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, with Silk Road monuments, are on the world heritage list. Since 2016 the country has been reforming: in 2017 currency purchases were liberalised, and entry, business registration and taxes were simplified. The economy rests on gold, copper, gas, textiles, agriculture and fast-growing services. The state language is Uzbek, and Russian is widely spoken in cities and business. The currency is the sum, about 11,800 sums to the dollar.

Uzbekistan suits entrepreneurs and specialists who want low taxes, Russian in daily life, inexpensive living and a fast-growing market, as well as home buyers who want residence. It suits less those seeking advanced European-level healthcare or a passport with wide visa-free access.

How to move in 2026

Russian citizens enter visa-free and can stay up to 60 days. For trips longer than 15 days, temporary registration at the place of stay is required: hotels do it automatically, and in a rented flat the landlord or you yourself register through government services. More on buying a home with residence on the page about property in Uzbekistan.

Taxes

Uzbekistan takes 12% income tax on almost all of a resident's income, and 5% on dividends and interest. VAT is 12%, and corporate tax for most companies 15%. Sole traders and the self-employed with revenue up to 1 billion sums pay 1% of turnover, and crypto transactions are tax-free until 2029. You can become tax resident in less than 183 days by spending more time here than in any other country, and then foreign income is taxed too. Foreigners can buy a special regime for 50,000 dollars. More on the page about Uzbek taxes.

Business and the tech park

A company is registered quickly, and a foreigner can own it fully. For IT companies there is a state tech park whose residents receive tax benefits and simplified hiring of foreign specialists. Bank accounts are opened in person with a passport, temporary registration and a personal identification number, and most government services are available online. More on the page about company registration in Uzbekistan.

Property

Foreigners buy flats, while land remains state property. Before buying you obtain a personal identification number, pay through a bank with proof of the source of funds, and register title in the state register. Most new developments are in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara. Besides the price, budget for the notary, registration, document translation and bank fees.

Cost of living

Uzbekistan is one of the most affordable countries to live in among its neighbours: market food, transport, cafés and services cost little. Rents are highest in new residential complexes in Tashkent, where demand from newcomers has grown since 2022. Tashkent has private clinics, but for complex treatment many travel to neighbouring countries or Turkey. International schools operate mainly in the capital.

Where to live

• Tashkent. The capital and business centre, with a metro, new residential districts and most of the jobs.
• Samarkand. A historic city with a tourist centre and new construction.
• Bukhara and Khiva. Old Silk Road cities with a calm life and tourism.
• Fergana and Namangan. A densely populated valley with industry and agriculture and cheaper housing.

Practicalities

• Language. Uzbek; in Tashkent and other big cities almost everyone speaks Russian.
• Climate. Sharply continental: hot dry summers up to 40 degrees and cool winters.
• Transport. High-speed trains link Tashkent with Samarkand and Bukhara, and Tashkent has direct flights to Russia, Turkey, the Gulf and Europe.
• Money. Cards are accepted in most shops in the capital, while cash is more convenient in the regions.
• Safety. Street crime is low.

Who Uzbekistan suits

Uzbekistan is a choice for those who want to live inexpensively, speak Russian, pay low taxes and do business in the growing Central Asian market, and for home buyers who need residence. Write in the chat and we will choose a basis for your move and calculate the full cost for your family.