Uzbekistan Introduces New Visas Allowing Longer Stays For Foreigners

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev has signed a decree on introducing new visas allowing foreigners to stay in the Central Asian country for 30 days.

According to the decree made public by the Tourism Ministry on December 4, the cost of a tourist visa for individuals was cut from $60 to $40.

Before the decree, tourist visas were given for one week or 15 days only.

The decree also cut the number of people for so-called tourist groups from 10 people to five. Visa costs for a member of a tourist group is $15 for 15 days and $25 for 30 days.

Mirziyoev's move to allow foreigners to stay longer in Uzbekistan on one visa is one of a number of initiatives that appear aimed at opening up the tightly controlled former Soviet republic.

Mirziyoev came to power after the death of longtime autocrat Islam Karimov, which was announced in September 2016.