Uzbekistan has joined the global race for investment migration with the launch of its own Golden Visa program in June 2025.
This new initiative offers foreign nationals a streamlined path to long-term residency through a significant financial contribution, without the need to purchase property or establish a business.
The standard package grants a five-year residence permit in exchange for a non-refundable cash payment of $250,000 for the main applicant.
For those seeking alternative options, Uzbekistan also maintains an investor visa route, offering three- and 10-year renewable permits to applicants who invest between $250,000 and $3 million into local enterprises.
Both programs allow family inclusion, with fewer restrictions and lower ongoing requirements than many similar schemes in Europe or Southeast Asia.
This article will discuss the details of Uzbekistan’s Golden Visa and investor residency programs, eligibility criteria, benefits, and how they compare to broader expat and migration trends in the region.
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The information in this article is for general guidance only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and is not a recommendation or solicitation to invest. Some facts may have changed since the time of writing.
What is Uzbekistan Golden Visa?
The Uzbekistan Golden Visa is a government-backed residency-by-investment program that launched on June 1, 2025, aimed at attracting foreign capital without requiring applicants to start a business, purchase real estate, or relocate permanently.
It offers a five-year residence permit to foreign nationals who make a non-refundable cash donation to the state. The program is designed for high-net-worth individuals seeking legal residency in Uzbekistan with minimal bureaucratic burden or ongoing obligations.
This is distinct from Uzbekistan’s older investor visa, which ties residency status to direct investments in local enterprises. We will discuss this further below.
In contrast, the Golden Visa is purely capital-based and involves no operational requirements, no minimum physical presence, and no need to create local jobs or economic activity.
The visa can be extended, and it potentially leads to permanent residency or citizenship under Uzbekistan’s naturalization laws, which require at least five years of residence, language proficiency, and the renunciation of foreign citizenships.
Uzbekistan Golden Visa Requirements
To qualify for the Uzbekistan Golden Visa, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Financial Contribution:
- $250,000 USD non-refundable donation for the main applicant
- $150,000 USD per additional family member (spouse, children, or parents)
- No Residency Requirement:
- Applicants are not required to live in Uzbekistan to maintain the visa
- No Business or Property Investment Needed:
- The donation is sufficient on its own; no need to register a company or purchase real estate
- Legal Background:
- Applicants must have a clean criminal record and pass standard background checks
- Nationality Restrictions:
- As of now, the program is open to all nationalities, with no specific exclusions announced
- Visa Duration:
- Grants five years of legal residency, renewable upon reapplication, pending future legislative updates
- Dependents:
- Spouses, children, and even parents can be included, each with their own financial contribution
Unlike many other global investment residency programs, the Uzbekistan donation based Golden Visa offers one of the simplest application frameworks, especially for those seeking a passive route to long-term residency.
There is no physical stay requirement under the new Golden Visa, and holders may later apply for citizenship through naturalization, provided they reside in Uzbekistan for at least five years, demonstrate Uzbek language proficiency, and relinquish any other nationality.
There are also no annual renewal hassles, and no additional tax obligations beyond standard Uzbek laws for non-residents.
Who qualifies for Uzbekistan golden visa?
Eligibility for Uzbekistan’s Golden Visa is primarily financial, with minimal legal or administrative barriers beyond the required capital contribution. The following criteria apply:
- Age & Legal Capacity:
Applicants must be adults (18+) and capable of entering into a legal agreement. - Clean Criminal Record:
A background check is required. Applicants with criminal convictions may be disqualified. - Proof of Funds:
Must demonstrate legal origin of the investment amount, $250,000 USD for the main applicant and $150,000 USD per dependent. Funds must be transferred via traceable banking channels. - No Nationality Restrictions (so far):
As of current policy, citizens of any country can apply unless future sanctions or national security concerns arise. - Family Members:
Spouse, children, and parents are eligible for inclusion. Each dependent requires a separate $150,000 donation. - No Physical Presence or Local Ties Required:
There is no need to reside in Uzbekistan, purchase property, or open a local business.
This makes the Golden Visa accessible to retirees, global investors, and high-net-worth individuals seeking legal residence with flexibility. However, the government reserves the right to vet applicants for national security or reputational risks.
Uzbekistan Investor Visa
The Uzbekistan Investor Visa is a residency permit granted to foreign nationals who make direct investments into Uzbek businesses or the local economy.
Unlike the Golden Visa which requires a non-refundable donation, this visa is tied to active financial participation in the country through equity or capital investments.
There are two main investment thresholds:
- $250,000 USD Investment:
Investing this amount into a registered Uzbek company qualifies the applicant for a three-year renewable residence permit. The applicant must hold equity in the company and the investment must be formally documented and approved by the relevant government body. - $3,000,000 USD Investment:
This tier provides a ten-year renewable residence permit, intended for large-scale investors contributing significant capital to the local economy.
In both cases, the applicant can include immediate family members spouse, children, and parents in the application at no extra cost.
There is also a real estate investment route that involves investing US$300,000 in Tashkent and the Tashkent region; US$100,000 in regions such as the Republic of Karakalpakstan and other areas of the country; and US$200,000 in cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, Namangan, Andijan, Fergana, and Khorezm.
There is no explicit requirement for physical residence or business operation after the initial investment, though in practice, authorities may require proof of ongoing business activity for renewals.
This visa route predates the Golden Visa program and remains in effect alongside it, offering a pathway for entrepreneurs or investors who prefer to engage economically rather than make a donation.
It’s also considered a viable stepping stone toward long-term residency or eventual naturalization.
Uzbekistan Permanent Residence
While the five-year Golden Visa is not classified as “permanent residence” on paper, it functions similarly in practice.
Does the Uzbekistan golden visa lead to permanent residency or citizenship?
Yes, but with conditions.
The Uzbekistan Golden Visa itself is a five-year temporary residence permit, not permanent residency.
However, it does lay the groundwork for eventual permanent residency or naturalization, provided the applicant meets additional requirements over time.
- Permanent Residency:
Although the Golden Visa is not automatic permanent residence, holders may become eligible to transition to permanent status after maintaining legal residency over a five-year period. Whether this transition will be automatic or require a separate application is not yet fully codified. - Citizenship:
Uzbekistan allows foreign nationals to apply for citizenship through naturalization, which generally requires:- At least five years of legal residence in Uzbekistan
- Proof of fluency in the Uzbek language
- Renunciation of all other citizenships (Uzbekistan does not allow dual nationality)
Golden Visa holders could theoretically qualify for naturalization if they maintain residency for five years and satisfy the above conditions. However, the government retains discretion over citizenship approvals, and political or security considerations may apply.
What are the conditions for renewing or upgrading the visa to permanent status?
As of the most recent policy updates, Uzbekistan’s Golden Visa offers a five-year temporary residence permit with renewal and upgrade mechanisms still under government review.
Official regulations on the renewal process have not been published, but based on existing residency practices, renewal is expected to require:
- Proof of continued eligibility (e.g., confirmation that the original donation was made and no legal violations occurred)
- Application for renewal submitted before expiration
- Background check clearance at the time of renewal
For applicants interested in upgrading to permanent residence, they will likely need to meet the broader requirements set by Uzbekistan’s immigration laws, which typically include:
- Minimum five years of continuous legal residency
- Stable financial means or income
- Clean criminal record
- Proficiency in the Uzbek language
The government may introduce a streamlined upgrade path for Golden Visa holders after the initial five-year term, but this remains unconfirmed as of mid-2025. The same applies to future access to citizenship by naturalization.
How do you need to stay in Uzbekistan to maintain the visa?
Under the Golden Visa program in Uzbekistan, no minimum physical presence requirement has been imposed. Applicants do not need to live in Uzbekistan for a specific number of days per year to maintain their status.
This sets it apart from many other residency-by-investment programs globally, which often require 30 to 183 days of annual presence.
That said, for those planning to apply for citizenship or permanent residency, physical presence may eventually matter, particularly for demonstrating five years of residency under naturalization laws.
But to simply keep the Golden Visa valid for its five-year duration, residency inside the country is optional.
Is the Uzbek golden visa a good option for expats and investors?
At US$250,000 for a five-year permit via a non-refundable donation, plus US$150,000 per family member, the program trades investment upside for administrative simplicity, a “pay once, stay five years” model. In that context, it is very competitive.
By contrast, neighboring Kazakhstan rolled out a 10-year investor visa in 2025 requiring US$300,000 in equity or securities, offering longer tenure and potential capital returns.
Kyrgyzstan maintains shorter, renewable investor visas with lower entry barriers, while the Caucasus markets (notably Georgia and Armenia) rely on flexible income- or entrepreneurship-based residency pathways, often with minimal upfront investment.
It’s not designed to beat Kazakhstan on investment returns or duration. Instead, Uzbekistan is undercutting on cost and simplicity. For investors who value minimal paperwork and a fixed cost over tying up capital in local markets, that’s a strong proposition.
Is Uzbekistan safe to live in?
Generally, yes. Uzbekistan is considered one of the safer countries in Central Asia. Violent crime is rare, especially in major cities like Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara. Police presence is high in public areas, and the government maintains tight internal security.
For women, the country is generally safe, but conservative cultural norms mean solo travelers or expats may face occasional unwanted attention. LGBTQ+ individuals may also encounter legal and social challenges.
Is Uzbekistan a good place for expats or digital nomads?
It’s becoming one. Uzbekistan is slowly gaining attention among expats and digital nomads due to its low cost of living, growing infrastructure, and increasing visa options.
Tashkent, in particular, has started to attract freelancers, remote workers, and startup founders looking for an affordable base with reasonable quality of life.
For more personalized guidance, please seek an expat financial advisor.
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