Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
port photo, a tourist voucher and booking con-
irmation to apply for a single- or double-entry
30-day tourist visa at the Russian embassy
(p222). Prices vary enormously depending on
nationality and the type of visa and processing
you want.
Tajikistan
The consulate is actually across the road from
the embassy proper (p222). No invitation is
needed, just bring a copy of your passport, one
photo and ill out an application form. however,
it's a 14-day processing period with no rush
option, which makes this a terrible place to get
a Tajik visa. Prices vary enormously too, to the
point that the consul himself was unable to give
us even a ballpark igure for a one-month tourist
visa. Transit visas require two passport photos,
and a copy of your passport. No onward tickets
are needed, but processing time varies from
three to 14 days.
Turkmenistan
The entrance to the visa section is behind the
main embassy (p222) to the left. Come early
(two hours before opening time is not a bad idea)
and add your name to the waiting list (you can
then go for breakfast and return at 10am when
the gates open). Be friendly to the Uzbek guards
who police entry to the embassy and they'll en-
sure you get in; being annoyed about the ridicu-
lous system won't help. Three to ive-day transit
visas are issued without an Loi for US$50. Allow
ive to 10 days for transit-visa authorisation, plus
another two days for visa processing. Ask about
possible urgent rush processing. Tourist visas
require expensive tour arrangements through
a specialised agent and cost US$30 to US$115,
but once you have the required invitation,
processing takes just one to three days.
8
Getting¨There¨&¨Away
ENTERING UZBEKISTAN
As long as your papers are in order, entering Uz-
bekistan should be relatively easy, long lines at
the airport notwithstanding. You will be asked to
ill out two identical customs declarations forms,
one to turn in and one to keep (which must be
VISAS¨FOR¨UZBEKISTAN
Uzbek visa rules depend entirely on the tate of Uzbekitan's relations with your
country's government. At the time of writing, citizens of the following countries were
exempt from Letters of Invitation (LOI): Autria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy,
Japan, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US. Everybody else needs an LOI, as do
(sometimes) citizens of the above countries who are applying for visas outside their
country of citizenship.
If there is no Uzbek embassy in your country, you should be eligible for 'visa-on-
arrival' at Tashkent International Airport if you arrange special LOI support for this
several weeks in advance through a travel agency or inviting business.
Any Uzbek travel agency can arrange LOI support, but mot demand that you also
purchase a minimum level of services - usually hotel bookings for at leat three nights.
A few agencies till provide LOI support with no trings attached, including Arotr Tour-
ism (p155) and Stantours (p155). They charge US$35 for a LOI for a single-entry 30-day
tourit visa. Tack on US$10 per entry for multiple-entry visas, and another US$10 per
entry for visa-on-arrival support. Allow ive to 10 business days for LOI processing, or
pay double for four- to ive-day 'rush' processing.
The tandard tourit visa is a 30-day, single-entry visa. They cot US$70 to US$100
for mot nationalities, and at leat US$131 for US citizens. Additional entries cot US$10
per entry. Single-entry tourit visas lating more than 30 days are diicult to obtain.
Three-day transit visas (US$30) are possible without an LOI.
Mot embassies can issue same-day visas when you present an LOI. Visa process-
ing without an LOI usually takes three to 10 days, depending on the embassy. Be aware
that when you apply for your visa in person at an Uzbek embassy, you mut have illed
in your application form and uploaded a photograph digitally beforehand - this can not
be done at the Uzbek embassy in person. Application forms are available online at evisa.
mfa.uz.
Visa¨Extensions
A one-week 'exit visa' (essentially an extension) coting about US$40 is available from
an OVIR booth at Tashkent International Airport (p226). Longer extensions are time-
consuming, expensive and involve much red tape. Many frutrated travellers give up and
go to neighbouring Kazakhtan or Kyrgyztan to buy a new visa.