Uzbek Ambassador: Talks With U.S. on Visa Easing Are Ongoing
Negotiations have started on easing the U.S. visa regime for Uzbek citizens, Uzbekistan’s ambassador to the United States, Furqat Siddiqov, told Daryo in an interview.
Siddiqov said regular efforts are underway to make U.S. visas easier to obtain for Uzbek citizens, but he cautioned that achieving the desired result would not be simple.
«Securing visa-free entry to the United States is a process that will take a long time,» he said. «But we are holding talks on this.»
The ambassador added that the type of visa arrangement and its conditions would depend on U.S. internal policy.
«It is up to the American government to decide what visa regime to introduce and under what conditions,» he said.
Siddiqov also said Uzbekistan is in talks with Brazil, Canada and other countries about visa-free travel for its citizens.
«We are in regular negotiations to ensure our citizens can travel without visas to the U.S. and other countries,» he said.
Siddiqov said Uzbek-U.S. relations have reached a historic high, with strong potential for further cooperation.
«Last year alone, the presidents of Uzbekistan and the United States held four talks,» he said. «This shows the U.S. is paying attention to reforms in Uzbekistan and is ready to cooperate with us.»
The ambassador announced that from the end of January 2026, Uzbekistan will introduce a visa-free regime for U.S. citizens for stays of up to 30 days. He said this is expected to triple the number of tourists visiting from across the Atlantic.
