Travel Advice for Uzbekistan - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
/Advice/Uzbekistan?20011217UZMonday, 16 January 2012, 10:16:41, +1100
2012 Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and TradeWhile every care has been taken in preparing this travel
information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its
agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff
abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in
respect of any statement contained therein.
Travel Advice Levels
| Uzbekistan overall | High degree of caution |
| Andijan and the eastern region of the Ferghana Valley; Regions bordering Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic and Afghanistan | Reconsider your need to travel |
The overall level of the advice has not changed.
The overall level of the advice has not changed.
Summary
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Uzbekistan because of the risk of terrorist attack and the unpredictable environment in the region.
Terrorist attacks have occurred in Uzbekistan. Attacks could be directed against a range of targets, including locations known to be frequented by foreigners.
We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to regions bordering Afghanistan, Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, including Andijan and the eastern region of the Ferghana Valley, at this time. The security situation in these areas is generally uncertain, and landmines also pose a risk.
Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Uzbekistan. The Australian Embassy in Russia provides consular assistance to Australians in Uzbekistan.
Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
Entry and exit
Australian citizens are required to obtain visas for Uzbekistan prior to arrival. Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Uzbekistan for the most up-to-date information. The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Singapore can be contacted on (65) 6734 3942 or by email on info@uzbekistan.org.sg
Uzbek visas specify the validity of the visa, the amount of entries and also the duration of the stay. For example, you may be granted a multiple entry visa with a validity of three months and a seven day limit on the duration of your stay. This means you are only allowed to stay in the country for the amount of days specified under the duration of stay section listed on the visa.
All visitors intending to stay for three days or more are required to register with the local migration services. Most hotels undertake registration on behalf of guests, however, if you are not staying at a hotel, your host should assist you with registration at the local Passports and Visa Office (OVIR or UVIR). If you travel to another city and plan to stay for three days or longer, you will need to register there as well.
Travellers must ensure they possess a valid visa for their next destination. There have been a number of cases where travellers who failed to have one were returned to Uzbekistan.
Currency import and export (of the same amount) is allowed however you need to complete a customs declaration form on arrival and departure
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Safety and security
Terrorism
Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Uzbekistan because of the risk of terrorist attack and the unpredictable security environment in the region. Terrorist attacks have occurred in Uzbekistan. Attacks could be directed against a range of targets, including locations known to be frequented by foreigners.
In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. Possible targets include commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners such as hotels, clubs, restaurants, cafes, bars, nightclubs, embassies and other diplomatic interests, schools, markets, shopping centres, places of worship, public transport, outdoor recreation events, tourist areas and large public gatherings. Uzbek government buildings and western government and commercial interests are also possible targets.
Civil unrest/political tension
Australians should avoid unnecessary travel to the border between Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, and should monitor the media and other local sources of information regarding possible new safety or security risks in the border regions. Tensions over the recognition of the border have resulted in clashes between security forces.
You should avoid any large public gatherings or political demonstrations as they may turn violent.
Requests from Police to produce proof of identity are common. You should carry a photocopy of your passport and visa at all times.
We recommend that you reconsider your need to travel to the following areas:
Andijan and the eastern region of the Ferghana Valley: Demonstrations occur and have the potential to turn violent. If you are travelling to the Ferghana Valley, monitor developments as the security situation may deteriorate without notice.
Regions bordering Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic: The security situation is very uncertain and there is also a risk posed by landmines in these areas. In the past, there has been sporadic armed conflict in rural areas in the east of Uzbekistan between extremist or criminal groups and government forces. If, despite this advice you decide to travel to these border regions, monitor developments as the security situation may deteriorate without notice.
Regions bordering Afghanistan: The security situation in Afghanistan is very hazardous and there are landmines in the border region between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.
Before travelling to any of these areas ask yourself whether, given your own personal circumstances, you're comfortable travelling to these areas knowing that you could be caught up in incidents of civil unrest or exposed to other security risks. Ask yourself whether travel could be deferred or an alternative destination chosen. If, having considered these issues, you do decide to travel to these areas, you should exercise extreme caution.
Crime
Petty crime targeting foreign travellers has been reported. Travellers have been robbed when using unofficial taxis and travelling on trains, particularly on overnight rail services.
There have been reports of travellers being robbed by individuals posing as police. There have also been reports of harassment, mistreatment and extortion by police or other local officials.
Crime levels are higher at night and you should avoid walking alone.
Money and valuables
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas.
Uzbekistan is predominantly a cash economy. You should exchange any unspent amounts of local currency prior to departure as there is no exchange office at the international airport. The Uzbek Som is not freely convertible. Exchanging the Som back into foreign currency can be difficult particularly if you do not retain receipts from the initial exchange into Som.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
Local travel
Land borders between Uzbekistan and neighbouring states are often closed at short notice. If travelling by road you should check in advance whether the borders are open.
Road conditions and driving standards are poor. Rural roads are particularly treacherous, including in the Tian Shan and Fan Mountains. Driving at night is dangerous because the roads are unlit and vehicles share the roads with livestock and animal draw carts. Security checkpoints are common. Access to service stations can be limited in rural areas. Landmines are present near the border with Tajikistan. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.
Drivers are charged a fee to bring motor vehicles into Uzbekistan. Payment is collected at border crossings and varies according to the length of stay. Travel to Termez on the Afghan border and areas of Surkhandarya in the south-east require an official permit.
Rail travel can be unreliable and dangerous due to criminal activity.
Airline safety
Airline and air charter safety and maintenance standards vary throughout the world. It is not known whether maintenance procedures and safety standards on aircraft used on internal flights are always properly observed or whether passengers are covered by airline insurance.
For further information, please refer to our Aviation Safety and Security travel bulletin.
Laws
When you are in Uzbekistan, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Penalties for drug offences are severe and include lengthy prison sentences served in local jails.
Serious crimes, such as attempted murder, can attract the death penalty.
Homosexuality is illegal and penalties include prison sentences.
It is illegal to photograph government and military buildings, and also public transport infrastructure, including metro stations. This may result in confiscation of equipment or detention. You should check before taking photographs of government or security infrastructure.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism, child pornography, and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism and child pornography laws. These laws provide severe penalties for up to 25 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in child sexual exploitation while outside of Australia.
Local customs
Standards of dress and behaviour are conservative in Uzbekistan. You should take care not to offend.
Dual nationality
Uzbekistan does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit our ability to provide consular assistance to Australian/Uzbek dual nationals who are arrested or detained. We advise you to travel on your Australian passport at all times.
Australian/Uzbek dual nationals may be required to complete national service obligations if they visit Uzbekistan. For further information, contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Uzbekistan before you travel.
Our Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.
Health
Malaria is a risk in Uzunskiy, Sariassiskiy and Shurchinskiy districts (Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya provinces). We encourage you to consider taking prophylaxis against malaria where necessary and using insect repellent, wearing long, loose fitting light-coloured clothing and ensuring your accommodation is mosquito proof.
There has been an outbreak of Polio in neighbouring Tajikistan. Uzbekistan has also reported several cases of polio near the border with Tajikistan.
Travel in forested areas brings the risk of exposure to tick-borne diseases. Ticks are very common in country areas and are active from spring to autumn.
Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including tuberculosis, typhoid, brucellosis, hepatitis and rabies) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling.
We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, avoid ice cubes, raw and undercooked food, and unpasteurised dairy products. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
Medical facilities are limited in Uzbekistan, with medicines and equipment often in short supply. Doctors and hospitals often require payment in cash prior to providing services, including for emergency care. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation would be necessary. Costs for a medical evacuation could be considerable.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For more information see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
Where to get help
Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Uzbekistan. You can obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian Embassy which is in Russia:
Australian Embassy, Moscow
Podkolokolny Pereulok 10a/2,
Moscow, RUSSIA
Telephone: +7 (495) 956-6070
Facsimile: +7 (495) 956-6170
Website:
www.russia.embassy.gov.au
If you are travelling to Uzbekistan, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy, you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
Additional information
Natural disasters, severe weather and climate
Uzbekistan is located in an active earthquake zone.
If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities. Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service.
Wildlife
Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
For parents
For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children brochure.
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental, custodial and/or access rights as well as a letter of consent from a non travelling parent. You should contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Uzbekistan for the most up to date information.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities in Uzbekistan we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.