Residence Permit in Uzbekistan 2026 for Foreigners: Grounds, Documents, State Fee and Timeline

As of November 2026, a "residence permit" (in Russian, vid na zhitelstvo) in Uzbekistan means a permit for permanent residence plus the ID card of a foreign national, both issued by the migration and citizenship units of the internal affairs bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). It can be obtained under a closed List of categories: owned housing, first- and second-degree relatives, a spouse after five years of living together, guardianship, a specialist invited by a state body, a compatriot, an investor from $3 million, an honorary citizen and a buyer of real estate under Decree UP-5611; a separate route is a payment from $250,000 under Decree UP-67. At the base calculation value (BRV) of UZS 440,000, the state fee is UZS 1,280,400: UZS 880,000 (2 BRV) for review, UZS 391,600 (89% of BRV) for the ID card and UZS 8,800 (2% of BRV) for registration at the place of residence. The official procedure takes up to 68 working days, and the ID card is issued for up to 5 years (up to 10 after age 60) but never beyond the validity of the national passport.

Key points

• Terminology. Law ZRU-692 does not speak of a "residence permit" but of a permit for permanent residence and an ID card (articles 7 and 9). There is no "temporary residence permit": a foreigner stays temporarily on a visa or under a visa waiver regime, registered at the place of stay.
• The grounds are a closed List: 10 categories for Tashkent city and region (annex 3 to Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 593) and 11 for the other regions (the List approved by Presidential Resolution PP-3924). Employment with a private employer and a marriage of less than five years of living together are not on it. A separate route is a payment from $250,000 under UP-67.
• The fee is UZS 1,280,400 (880,000 + 391,600 + 8,800 at a BRV of UZS 440,000). Honorary citizens and their families pay no fee for review and registration.
• Timeline: up to 68 working days — the sum of the maximum stage deadlines (10 + 3 + 20 + 15 + 15 + 2 + 3); an MIA request to a foreign state extends it. For investors the procedure is shorter.
• Filing is in person, at the migration unit of the address where you are registered at the place of stay. The Regulation does not apply to those who entered on a tourist or e-visa or without a visa for up to 60 days (clause 1 of annexes 2 and 3).
• ID card: 5 years at age 16–60, 10 years after 60, but not beyond the national passport; for an investor from $3 million and family — 10 years (Law ZRU-692, article 10; Decree UP-6065).
• Work and loss of status. The holder needs no confirmation of the right to work (annex 20 to Resolution No. 86, as amended from 1 July 2026). The card is annulled if a foreigner is away for more than three years without a valid reason (article 11); the law has no 183-day rule for a residence permit.

Abbreviations: ZRU — Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan; UP — Presidential Decree; PKM — Cabinet of Ministers Resolution; BRV — base calculation value (UZS 440,000 from 1 September 2026).

What a residence permit is: permanent and temporary stay

Law No. ZRU-692 of 4 June 2021 "On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons in the Republic of Uzbekistan" (last amended on 15 November 2024) distinguishes two groups. Temporary visitors, who live permanently in another country, stay on their travel documents and are registered at the place of stay (article 6). Permanent residents are registered at the place of residence and receive an ID card, which confirms identity, citizenship and registration (articles 3 and 7). In everyday speech this card is the residence permit, and in article 15 of the registration law ZRU-1074 it is written as "identification card (residence permit)". The old-style paper residence permit ("yashash guvohnomasi") also remains valid until its term ends: under the Regulation on the residence permit (annex 2 to Decree UP-2240, as amended by UP-109 of 9 June 2026) it confirms the right to permanent residence alongside the ID card (one obtained at age 60 or older, until 31 December 2030) and must be replaced with an ID card within a month after expiry (clauses 2 and 6).

Foreigners who live permanently in other countries and have no permit are not registered at a place of residence (ZRU-1074, article 17). If there are no grounds for a residence permit, what remains is a long temporary stay: a multiple-entry visa of up to three years costs 14 BRV (UZS 6,160,000), and registration at the place of stay for that period costs 12 BRV (UZS 5,280,000) (annex to Law ZRU-600, item 19 "b" and "c"); the right to such a visa depends on the purpose of the visit. On registration and fines, see our article on registering a foreigner at the place of stay; on the visa for specialists, see the article on the IT visa.

Who issues it and where to apply

The permit is issued by the migration and citizenship units of the internal affairs bodies upon a personal visit (ZRU-1074, article 17). The applicant goes to the unit at the address where he or she is registered at the place of stay (annex 3 to PKM No. 593, clause 10; for the regions — annex 2, clause 7), so at the moment of filing the applicant must be in the country lawfully. The unit does not decide: the file goes through the regional MIA department, the opinion of an authorized body (in the scheme, a body of the State Security Service) and the MIA main directorate for migration and citizenship. The acts provide no online filing of the application, including through my.gov.uz. The ID card is issued at migration units and public service centers (Decree UP-6065, annex 2, clause 2).

Article 17 of ZRU-1074 (in force since 12 October 2025) leaves the procedure and the List to the President; the lex.uz commentary to it points to annexes 1–3 of PKM No. 593, which is in force as amended on 22 May 2026. We found no new presidential act as of 4 November 2026, so the clauses below are cited from PKM No. 593, and the List for the regions from Presidential Resolution PP-3924 of 28 August 2018.

Grounds: the List of categories

In Tashkent city and region, foreigners who are not on the List are not registered permanently (annex 3, clause 4). The table gives Tashkent numbering (annex 3); numbering for the regions (annex 2 and the PP-3924 List) is in brackets. In the regions, item 2 of the List refers to relatives registered there before the List entered into force — check with the unit.

The foreigner files personally; for a specialist, the body files a petition. What matters:

• Work for a private company does not give a residence permit. It is arranged through the confirmation of the right to work — see the article on hiring a foreign employee.
• Marriage. The ground is not marriage itself but at least five years of living together and the housing of the registered spouse (List, item 3).
• The chain of relatives in Tashkent. The note to the List provides that relatives of those registered in Tashkent under items 2–4 and 6–10 are not themselves registered; for item 2 the exceptions are a spouse, adult children without their own family, minor children and adopted children.
• Money instead of family. The payment under UP-67, real estate under UP-5611 and the investor visa are covered in the article on a residence permit for an investor.

Documents

The basic set (annex 3, clause 11): an application form in two copies, a national passport or, for a stateless person, a travel document, and two 35 × 45 mm photos. The rest depends on the category. Almost everywhere the consent of the owner of the housing where you will be registered is needed, in person or notarized (more on owner's consent); the owner's refusal at the review stage is a direct ground for refusal (clause 43).

Birth and marriage certificates issued abroad are accepted with consular legalization or an apostille (clause 88). Documents from the states party to the Minsk (1993) and Chisinau (2002) conventions need only be certified under the law of those states, and under bilateral treaties abolishing legalization neither legalization nor an apostille is needed. The annexes do not state translation requirements — ask the unit. Certificates of no criminal record and of income are not in the annexes: the applicant is checked against MIA databases and through the authorized body.

Procedure and timelines by stage

The scheme for Tashkent city and region (annex 3, annex 10 to the Regulation; the regions have the same deadlines), maximum deadlines in working days:

• Filing of the form and documents with the migration unit — when needed.
• Migration unit — up to 10 days: processes the documents, checks the data and passes the file to the regional department.
• Regional department — up to 3 days: sends the data to the authorized body.
• Authorized body — up to 20 days: opinion on whether the applicant's stay is advisable.
• Regional department — up to 15 days: a conclusion signed by the deputy head and referral to the MIA main directorate.
• MIA main directorate for migration and citizenship — up to 15 days: a reasoned reply — issue the ID card and registration, or refuse.
• Return of the file to the unit — up to 2 days.
• Migration unit — up to 3 days: notifies the applicant, issues the ID card, registers the applicant at the place of residence the same day and takes a receipt confirming familiarization with the rules of stay.

The total is 68 working days, about three months; this is our calculation from the scheme, not a separate norm. If the MIA requests information about the applicant from a foreign state, the main directorate's 15 days run from receipt of the reply (clause 25). If the applicant does not come for issuance within six months after notification, or the owner refuses, the positive conclusion is cancelled (clause 41). For an investor (List item 8) and persons under clause 21, the regional department adopts its conclusion within 10 working days without waiting for the main directorate's reply (clause 27).

State fee

The BRV is UZS 440,000 from 1 September 2026 (Decree UP-115, clause 3). The fee for the ID card is paid before it is received (article 22). Honorary citizens, their spouses and minor children pay no fee for review, issuance of the permit and registration (annex 3, clause 9).

ID card term, replacement and "extension"

The ID card is issued for 2 years to infants under one, for 5 years from age 1 to 60 and for 10 years after 60; to a foreigner with citizenship, not beyond the national passport; to an investor from $3 million and family, for 10 years but not beyond the travel document (Law ZRU-692, article 10; Decree UP-6065, annex 2, clauses 3–5). There is no "extension": when the term ends the card is replaced. For this, the form and the previous card are submitted to a migration unit or a public service center and UZS 391,600 is paid (UP-6065, annex 2, clause 13; the clause lists the national passport for a first card, but bring it anyway). The card is issued within one working day after the documents are accepted (clause 14), and a replacement for loss or a change of data within five working days (clause 10). If the card expired abroad, apply no later than three working days after returning (clause 12).

Rights and duties of the holder

• Work without confirmation. Annex 20 to PKM No. 86 as amended from 1 July 2026 does not apply to persons who have received a residence certificate (yashash guvohnomasi); the employment law ZRU-642 requires the confirmation for a foreigner entering the country to work (article 107).
• Rights. Property rights are equal to those of citizens unless a law provides otherwise, and property can be inherited and bequeathed (article 14); pension is equal to citizens' (article 16); no compulsory military service (article 26), no voting rights (article 24).
• A residence permit does not give citizenship. Law ZRU-610 (article 19) requires, among other things, five years of continuous residence, renouncing the previous citizenship and knowledge of the state language.
• Duties. Register at the new address within 10 working days of arrival (ZRU-1074, article 7), live at the registered address (annex 3, clause 3), and replace the card and the national passport on time.

Refusal and annulment

The permit is refused (annex 3, clause 43) if issuing it would run against the interests of state security or public order; the applicant is linked to terrorist, extremist, criminal or prohibited organizations; he or she knowingly gave false information about themselves and close relatives or submitted forged documents; or the owner of the housing refused consent at the review stage. The refusal is decided by the MIA main directorate or the regional department; the file returns to the unit within three working days, and the unit informs the applicant within a day (clause 42). Disputes are resolved under the procedure established by law (ZRU-1074, article 24), so check the appeal deadlines right after a refusal.

The ID card is annulled (ZRU-692, article 11; annex 3, clause 67) if a foreigner:

• left for permanent residence abroad;
• did not return to Uzbekistan for three years without a valid reason;
• did not replace the national passport within six months after its expiry;
• obtained the card by false information or forged documents;
• was administratively expelled or deported;
• applied for annulment (in person or through a notarized power of attorney), was declared missing by a court, died or acquired Uzbek citizenship.

A stateless person loses the card if, without a valid reason, he or she did not return before the travel document expired or did not replace it. A permit obtained on a state body's petition is annulled on that body's notice (clause 69). Inclusion on the List of persons whose stay is deemed unacceptable deprives a person of the right to reside in the country lawfully (article 29¹).

Typical mistakes

• Filing after entering on a tourist or e-visa, or under a 60-day visa waiver: the Regulation does not apply to such persons.
• Expecting a residence permit for work at a private company: the List knows only specialists invited by state bodies.
• Treating marriage as sufficient: five years of living together and the owner's consent are required.
• Believing in "183 days": for a residence permit the law names three years of absence without a valid reason; 183 days is the continuity threshold for admitting a stateless person to citizenship (ZRU-610, article 19).
• Paying an intermediary "for speed": the stage deadlines are set by the scheme, and the decision is made by the MIA and the authorized body.

How Pactum helps

• We determine the List category for Tashkent or a region and name a realistic timeline.
• We check the documents: apostille or legalization, translation, the owner's consent.
• We prepare the form and the file, support the filing at the migration unit and answer requests.
• After the decision we help with the ID card, registration at the place of residence and replacement on time.

Support in obtaining a residence permit costs from UZS 4,000,000, with the state fee paid separately. The decision is made by the MIA and we do not promise a result. More — on the page about work permits and hiring foreigners or at a lawyer consultation: 60 minutes, UZS 300,000, credited toward the cost of the service. Phone +998 78 113 81 01, Telegram, info@pactum.uz, office: 21 Afrosiyob Street, Tashkent.

FAQ

How much does a residence permit in Uzbekistan cost in 2026?

At a BRV of UZS 440,000 the state fee is UZS 1,280,400: UZS 880,000 for review, UZS 391,600 for the ID card and UZS 8,800 for registration. Honorary citizens and their families pay no fee for review and registration. Lawyer fees are not part of the state fee.

How long does a residence permit take?

The sum of the maximum stage deadlines is 68 working days: 10 + 3 + 20 + 15 + 15 + 2 + 3. For an investor, stages 5 and 6 are shortened: the regional department adopts its conclusion within 10 working days without waiting for the main directorate's reply. An MIA request to a foreign state extends the timeline. After notification you have six months to come for the ID card.

Can I get a residence permit by marrying a citizen of Uzbekistan?

Only if the spouses have lived together for at least five years (List, item 3) and the owner of the housing where the spouse is registered gives consent. A shorter marriage creates no ground: until then a visa and registration at the place of stay are arranged. A marriage certificate from abroad is submitted with an apostille or legalization.

Does working in Uzbekistan give a right to a residence permit?

Not at a private company. The List includes specialists invited by state bodies and state organizations of national significance on the petition of the head (item 6) and their families. Others need a confirmation of the right to work, not a residence permit.

For how long is a residence permit issued and how is it extended?

The ID card is issued for 5 years at age 16–60 and for 10 years after 60, but not beyond the national passport; for an investor from $3 million — for 10 years. There is no "extension": when the term ends the card is replaced for UZS 391,600 and issued within one working day; after loss or a change of data, within five working days.

How long can I stay abroad without losing the residence permit?

A foreign citizen loses the ID card if he or she does not return to Uzbekistan for more than three years without a valid reason (ZRU-692, article 11; likewise clause 18 of annex 1 to PKM No. 408). The law has no 183-day rule for a residence permit. The card is also annulled if the national passport is not replaced within six months after expiry.

Does the holder of a residence permit need a work permit?

No: annex 20 to PKM No. 86 as amended from 1 July 2026 does not apply to persons who have received a residence permit.

Sources

• Law ZRU-692 on the legal status of foreign citizens, articles 3, 6, 7, 9–11, 14–16, 24–26, 29¹
• Law ZRU-1074 on registration at the place of residence and stay, articles 7, 15–19, 24
• PKM No. 593 of 28.09.2020 (as amended on 22.05.2026)
• PKM No. 593, annexes 2 and 3: Regulations, List and schemes (in Uzbek)
• Law ZRU-600 "On the State Duty", annex items 6 and 19, article 22
• Decree UP-6065 of 22.09.2020, annex 2 — ID card of a foreign national (in Uzbek)
• Decree UP-2240 of 26.02.1999, annex 2 — Regulation on the residence permit
• PKM No. 86 of 22.02.2022, annex 20 (in Uzbek)
• Law ZRU-610 "On Citizenship", article 19
• Presidential Resolution PP-3924 of 28.08.2018 — List for the regions (in Uzbek)
• PKM No. 408 of 21.11.1996, annex 1, clause 18
• Law ZRU-642 "On Employment", article 107
• Decree UP-5611 of 05.01.2019, clause 5 and annex 6 (in Uzbek)
• Decree UP-67 of 18.04.2025, clause 26 (in Uzbek)
• Decree UP-115 of 23.06.2026 — BRV of UZS 440,000