Your first 90 days in Uzbekistan: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · September 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
The 3-day registration chain is what gets checked on exit, and gaps produce fines and questioning at the airport rather than at the time. Every time you change city or stay with friends rather than a hotel, register again — the slips are the evidence and nobody will remind you.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Register your place of stay within 3 days of arrival (hotel, or the E-QAYD online system for private accommodation) and apply for the residence permit at the migration department
Registration within 3 calendar days of arrival, excluding weekends and holidays — this is separate from the visa and is strictly enforced
The E-QAYD system now lets landlords and guests register online, which replaced a genuinely painful in-person process. Keep every registration slip: exit checks look for a continuous chain covering your whole stay.
Get your PINFL (personal identification number of a physical person)
Banking, employment, property, mobile contracts and tax filings all key off it.
Assigned with the residence permit or issued at a public services centre; tax registration for business is handled separately with the State Tax Committee.
Open a bank account
Kapitalbank, Ipoteka Bank and TBC Uzbekistan open accounts for foreigners on a passport plus PINFL, and the sector modernised fast after the 2017 liberalisation — the som is now freely convertible, which it was not before. Cards from Uzcard and Humo are the domestic rails; international card acceptance is improving but not universal.
Enrol in healthcare
Public healthcare is nominally free but under-resourced; foreign residents use private clinics in Tashkent, which are inexpensive. Complex cases are referred to Turkey, India or Korea. There is a compulsory medical examination including HIV testing for long-stay residence applications.
Sort your driver's license
A foreign licence with a notarised translation or an International Driving Permit is accepted for short stays; residents convert through the traffic safety department, with theory and practical testing for most applicants. Driving is on the right.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Uzbekistan: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Uzbekistan?
Register your place of stay within 3 days of arrival (hotel, or the E-QAYD online system for private accommodation) and apply for the residence permit at the migration department — Registration within 3 calendar days of arrival, excluding weekends and holidays — this is separate from the visa and is strictly enforced. The E-QAYD system now lets landlords and guests register online, which replaced a genuinely painful in-person process. Keep every registration slip: exit checks look for a continuous chain covering your whole stay. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the PINFL and do I need one?
PINFL (personal identification number of a physical person) is Uzbekistan's personal tax/ID number. Banking, employment, property, mobile contracts and tax filings all key off it. Assigned with the residence permit or issued at a public services centre; tax registration for business is handled separately with the State Tax Committee.
Can I drive in Uzbekistan on a US license?
A foreign licence with a notarised translation or an International Driving Permit is accepted for short stays; residents convert through the traffic safety department, with theory and practical testing for most applicants. Driving is on the right. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Uzbekistan?
Public healthcare is nominally free but under-resourced; foreign residents use private clinics in Tashkent, which are inexpensive. Complex cases are referred to Turkey, India or Korea. There is a compulsory medical examination including HIV testing for long-stay residence applications. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Uzbekistan's system treats foreign residents.