News about visas: events, facts and developments on tafs uz.
19 stories
The Uzbek Foreign Ministry reported that, following direct talks with Thailand, an agreement was reached to sign an agreement on visa-free travel; the text of the document is currently being reviewed by the Thai side. This is a response to Thailand's abolition in September of the 60-day visa-free regime for Uzbek citizens and to problems with electronic visas.
Aziz KarimovThailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports is preparing a proposal for 15-day visa-free entry for citizens of Uzbekistan, Colombia and Mexico. It will be submitted to the Visa Policy Committee meeting on November 9. The initiative is a response to visa issuance delays following the abolition of the 60-day visa-free regime in September, which caused a sharp drop in tourist flows from Uzbekistan.
Otabek YusupovThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan reported that, after negotiations with Cairo, the introduction of new entry rules has been moved from November 1, 2026 to March 1, 2027. Until then, Uzbek citizens may visit Egypt, including Sharm el-Sheikh and the Sinai Peninsula, under the current procedure — without a visa obtained in advance.
Aziz KarimovFirst Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Andrei Klimov said that Montenegro’s introduction of visas for Russians from November 1, 2026 threatens the country with socio-economic problems. According to Montenegrin statistics for 2025, Russian tourists accounted for 16.4% of all overnight stays by foreigners. The decision is linked to Podgorica’s course toward joining the European Union.
Otabek YusupovFrom November 1, 2026, Uzbekistan will introduce changes to utility tariffs and liquefied gas prices (drafts), Egypt's visa requirements, Kazakhstan's electronic permits, a reduction in advance payments for energy resources for businesses, restrictions on advertising calls and SMS, bank requirements to warn about loan risks, a new realtor law, expanded powers of traffic police, and proactive pension assignment. Also, in the US, Green Card lottery registration will resume by court decision. From November 1, 2026, Uzbekistan will see changes in utility tariffs and liquefied gas prices (drafts), Egypt's visa requirements, Kazakhstan's electronic permits, a reduction in advance payments for energy resources for businesses, restrictions on advertising calls and SMS, requirements for banks to warn about loan risks, a new law on realtors, expanded powers of traffic police, and proactive pension assignment. Also, in the US, Green Card lottery registration will resume by court decision.
Sevara AzamovaIn the Henley Passport Index for 2026, Uzbekistan's passport took 82nd place with 57 visa-free destinations, down from 74th place as of April. Kazakhstan became the leader among Central Asian countries (66th place, 77 destinations). Singapore retains first place overall with 193 destinations.
Otabek YusupovFrom November 1, 2026, Montenegro is abolishing the visa-free regime for Russians. Entry will be possible with a Montenegrin national visa or with a valid US, UK, Ireland, or Schengen area visa. A Montenegrin visa can be obtained through VFS Global centers in eight Russian cities or at the embassy in Moscow.
Javlon TursunovThe Swedish Ski Association and the Swedish Sports Confederation have asked the authorities to consider restricting the entry of Russian athletes to the 2027 World Championships, which will be held in Falun. Migration Minister Johan Forssell said the agency is working on legal grounds for refusing entry to Russians and Belarusians.
Javlon TursunovRussian Ambassador to Montenegro Aleksandr Lukashik told TASS that the republic has officially notified Russia of the termination of the visa-free regime from November 1. From that date, the intergovernmental agreement on mutual travel of September 24, 2008 will cease to be in effect. For entry, Russians will need a visa of Montenegro or of a number of other countries, including the Schengen states. Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry declared its intention to take reciprocal visa measures.
Sevara AzamovaExpert of the Russian Union of Travel Industry Mikhail Abasov said that Montenegro will suffer noticeable losses after introducing visas for Russians from November 1. According to his data, in 2025 Russians accounted for 8% of all foreign arrivals in the country, and the decline in demand is already visible in summer 2026 statistics.
Sevara AzamovaAccording to the updated Henley & Partners index for October 2026, Uzbekistan took 82nd place, dropping 10 positions compared to September 2025. The number of visa-free destinations fell from 62 to 57: Thailand abolished visa-free travel on September 15, while Egypt will introduce a visa regime on November 1. Singapore remains the leader of the ranking (193 destinations).
Javlon TursunovA Russian teenager and his father were detained by Polish migration service at a hotel in Bielsko-Biala during the youth karate world championship (October 14–18). The family traveled on a Hungarian tourist visa; the teenager was not allowed to compete, but after questioning was allowed to remain as a spectator. According to Polish media, 15 citizens of Russia and Belarus were detained in total.
Sevara AzamovaMontenegro has officially notified Russia of introducing visas for Russian citizens from November 1, 2026, ending the 2008 visa-free travel agreement. Podgorica explains the move by EU requirements; Moscow responded by cancelling visa-free travel for Montenegrins and warned of damage to the tourism industry.
Javlon TursunovA young Russian karate athlete and his father were detained by Polish law enforcement after arriving for the youth world karate championship in Bielsko-Biała. They entered the country on a Hungarian tourist visa, were charged with illegal border crossing, but were then allowed to attend the tournament as spectators.
Javlon TursunovThe US State Department said that more than 300,000 visas have been revoked since the start of Donald Trump's second term. Officials emphasized that the pace of revocations is higher than under any previous administration and explained the measures as a fight against law violations and national security threats.
Javlon TursunovThe European Commission said it is preparing new steps to restrict visa issuance to Russians. EC spokesperson Markus Lammert recalled the measures already taken, including the ban on multiple-entry visas, and the EU ministers' decision to bar entry to Russian combatants. A number of Schengen countries are pushing for stricter common rules.
Otabek YusupovEuropean Parliament MEP from the EPP Dirk Gotink said the EU should stop issuing Russian citizens the 'full range of visas' while Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine. In his view, Russian elites should not be allowed to live 'on European islands sipping margaritas' while civilians in Ukraine come under attack.
Aziz KarimovUK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood threatened to ban Eritreans from entry entirely if Asmara does not agree to accept more returned migrants arriving on small boats and foreign offenders. From Thursday, Eritrean diplomats will be restricted to movement within London. Asmara called the measures a 'political trick', which the UK Home Office rejects.
Otabek Yusupov
