Uzbekistan Imposes Temporary Visa and Entry Restrictions on Nigerian Citizens
Updated: 4 minutes ago
TASHKENT / ABUJA, 8 November 2026 – Uzbekistan has introduced temporary restrictions on visa issuance and entry for Nigerian citizens, according to a notice published on the website of the Green Energy Technologies Central Asia (GETCA) exhibition, a major Uzbek trade event. The notice states that “temporary restrictions have currently been introduced on the issuance of visas and entry into the Republic of Uzbekistan for citizens of your country,” and advises affected travellers seeking entry under exceptional circumstances to contact the consular section of the Uzbek embassy for further information. The restrictions have been widely reported in the Nigerian press, with no formal public statement explaining the measures identified on the website of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose official visa and entry information portal sets out general entry arrangements but does not specifically address the reported measures.
The development could affect Nigerians planning to travel to Uzbekistan for tourism, business, education, and other purposes, and it has left prospective travellers uncertain about the reasons, scope, and duration of the policy. Uzbekistan’s official electronic visa system, operated through the e-visa.gov.uz portal, remains the designated channel for short-stay visa applications in normal circumstances, and travellers should check that portal and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs site for any future official clarification.
The GETCA Notice and the Countries Reported as Affected
The notice on the GETCA exhibition website is currently the primary public source confirming the temporary measures. Nigeria is not the only country listed. According to Nigerian reporting, identical notices appear against Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Iraq, and Bangladesh on the exhibition website, and Uzbek-language reporting corroborates that citizens of these six countries are currently unable to obtain visas for Uzbekistan. While security concerns might explain restrictions for some countries, the inclusion of Egypt in particular has been described as unclear, given the absence of any official explanation.
For Nigerian passport holders specifically, the restrictions mean that entry is not available through the standard electronic visa (e-visa) or visa-on-arrival arrangements under the current measures. The only stated avenue for entry is to contact the consular section of the Embassy of Uzbekistan to establish whether an applicant qualifies for exceptional entry arrangements. The notice does not specify a start date, a reason, or a duration for the restrictions, and it provides no timeline for when normal visa processing and entry arrangements might resume.
An Unusual Channel for an Immigration Measure
The fact that the restrictions were first surfaced through a trade exhibition website rather than an official government gazette or foreign ministry announcement is itself notable. The GETCA notice appears to have been issued as guidance to prospective exhibitors and participants from the affected countries who might otherwise have planned to travel to Uzbekistan for the event. The absence of a corresponding public statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Internal Affairs has left the legal basis and operational scope of the restrictions unclear. Affected travellers have been advised to contact the Uzbek embassy’s consular section directly to confirm their eligibility and determine whether they qualify for exceptional entry arrangements.
What Travellers Should Do and Where to Check
Nigerian citizens and nationals of the other reportedly affected countries who are planning travel to Uzbekistan should not rely on the standard e-visa portal at this time. The most reliable course of action is to contact the consular section of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in the applicant’s country of residence before making any travel arrangements, including booking flights or accommodation. Travellers should also monitor Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for any future official clarification, although none had been published as of 7 November 2026.
For those who believe they may qualify for exceptional entry, the embassy consular section is the designated point of contact. The GETCA notice does not define what constitutes an “exceptional circumstance,” so eligibility will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by consular officials. Travellers should be prepared to explain the purpose of their visit and provide supporting documentation if requested.
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Key Points at a Glance
Aspect | Detail |
Restriction | Temporary suspension of visa issuance and entry |
Affected nationalities (reported) | Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Iraq, Bangladesh |
Source of notice | Green Energy Technologies Central Asia (GETCA) exhibition website |
Official government statement | None identified on Ministry of Foreign Affairs website as of 7 November 2026 |
Reason given | Not stated |
Duration | Not stated |
Entry for exceptional cases | Contact consular section of Embassy of Uzbekistan |
Standard e-visa channel | Reported as unavailable for affected nationalities |
Conclusion
The reported restrictions represent a significant and unusual disruption to travel from Nigeria and several other countries to Uzbekistan. The reliance on a trade exhibition notice as the primary public source, combined with the absence of an official foreign ministry statement, leaves travellers with limited authoritative information about the scope and duration of the measures. Until Uzbekistan’s government issues a formal clarification, the safest approach for affected nationals is to contact the embassy consular section directly and to avoid making irrevocable travel commitments based on the assumption that standard visa processing will resume on a particular date. The situation remains dynamic, and travellers should check official channels regularly for updates.
For more news and daily updates on Uzbekistan visas and Central Asian immigration policy, visit visasupdate.com.
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