During the first half of 2018, the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Consular Offices of the Republic of Uzbekistan carried out 186,128 consular activities abroad (I/2017 – 173,941).
For the specified period of 2018, foreigners were granted 131 535 entry visas (I/2017 – 123,360), 16805 certificates for returning to the Republic of Uzbekistan were issued, 3117 biometric passports were issued, 6371 activities were performed through the registry office, notaries and legalization, 7844 applications on issues of citizenship (reception, exit, loss and non-belonging).
According to the Ministry, the largest number of consular activities was carried out by the embassies of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Turkmenistan – 21870, the Republic of Tajikistan – 16567, the Russian Federation – 14421, the Republic of Kazakhstan – 14083 and the PRC – 10882.
In order to create favorable conditions for the entry of foreign citizens into the republic, by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 5326 of 3.02.2018 “On additional organizational measures for creating favorable conditions for the development of tourism potential of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, a visa-free regime for 30 days has been introduced for citizens of 7 countries: Israel, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey and Japan from February 10, 2018.
From February 10, 2018, a simplified procedure for issuing tourist visas for citizens of 39 countries is also introduced by the Decree.
Within the framework of implementation of measures on improving activities for the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan and providing them with timely consular and legal assistance, the Consulate General of the Republic of Uzbekistan began operating in Saint Petersburg in March 2018 in the territory of the Russian Federation. In addition, the issue of opening consulates general of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the cities of Almaty and Aktau is under consideration.