{"id":28581,"date":"2023-02-07T17:50:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-07T17:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/?p=28581"},"modified":"2023-02-07T19:16:32","modified_gmt":"2023-02-07T19:16:32","slug":"8-takeaways-on-uzbekistan-from-a-first-time-visitor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/8-takeaways-on-uzbekistan-from-a-first-time-visitor\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Takeaways on Visiting Uzbekistan from a First-Time Visitor"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Samarkand\u2019s Registan Square, the centerpiece of the city, and the most recognizable landmark for visitors. Photo credit: Abdu Samadov<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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First-time visitors to Uzbekistan often recount what a lasting impression a trip here can make. Frequent comments include being surprised to discover how smooth, comfortable, and safe the trip felt,<\/strong> for a wide variety of reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Marisa
Marisa trying her hand at making traditional Uzbek bread. Photo credit: Matt Robertson<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Feedback shared includes that travelers should not be intimidated about traveling into the unknown. Uzbekistan boasts an easy e-visa process (and now Americans over 55 years of age can travel visa-free for up to 30 days), well-organized airports, modern attitudes and warm hospitality abound.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Here are some of the things first-time visitors found most surprising from their travels through Uzbekistan<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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1. Getting In: Easy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"Meeting
Meeting locals in Uzbekistan. Photo credit: Michel Behar\n\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Until recently, obtaining an Uzbek visa meant having to physically send your passport to the embassy and waiting for several weeks for the visa to be issued and returned. This roadblock has been eliminated with the introduction of electronic visas (e-visas) for U.S. passport holders, and many others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The e-visa process has been significantly streamlined, requiring only the most basic information and a wait time of three to five business days. Applying for an Uzbek e-visa usually takes less than half an hour on a first attempt. Many reported applying for example, on a Friday and having the visa in hand no later than the following Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And recently, the process became even easier for those under 18 years of age and Americans over 55 years of age. In those instances, no visa at all is needed for U.S. passport holders traveling for up to 30 days in Uzbekistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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