Obtaining a Residence Permit in Tashkent and Tashkent Region

Publication date: 13.04.2025

Migration processes in modern society are an important factor in the socio-economic development of a state. Uzbekistan, as a country with growing investment attractiveness and active cooperation with foreign partners, is building a comprehensive system of legal regulation for the stay and residence of foreign citizens and stateless persons. A special place in this system is occupied by the procedure for their permanent registration (obtaining a residence permit) in Tashkent and the Tashkent region, established by Resolution No. 593 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated September 28, 2020, and the Regulation approved thereby.

The key legal source is the Regulation “On the Procedure for Registration of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons at Their Permanent Place of Residence in Tashkent and Tashkent Region”. Its provisions further develop the norms of:

The Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Articles 28, 29);
The Law “On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens”;
Presidential Decree No. PF-5984 dated April 22, 2020;
Other acts regulating visa, migration, and registration regimes.

Thus, a comprehensive legal framework is formed that takes into account the interests of the state, investors, and the population.

Concepts and Key Categories

The Regulation defines a number of basic concepts:

Foreign investor – a person who has invested at least USD 3 million in the creation of enterprises in Uzbekistan;
Vatandosh – compatriots living abroad;
ID card and residence permit – documents that certify identity and confirm the right of residence;
Electronic systems (“E-Chet el fuqaro”/“Foreigner”, “Manzil”/“Address”) – digital platforms ensuring interdepartmental interaction in the processing of permits.

Conditions for Granting a Residence Permit (Permanent Residence)

A residence permit is granted if the following conditions are met:

Ownership of housing (newly built or legally registered);
Family ties with persons who already have permanent registration;
Marriage to a person permanently residing in Uzbekistan;
High qualification of a specialist invited by state authorities;
Status of “honorary citizen”;
Making a large investment;
Belonging to the “vatandosh” category (compatriot).

Procedural Aspects

The process includes several stages:

Submission of an application to the district departments for migration and citizenship (OMiOG) under the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).
Submission of documents (passport, photographs, notarized consent of property owners, marriage/birth certificates, etc.).
Verification of data by the MIA, interaction with cadastral authorities and other structures.
Decision-making (timeframe: up to 20 working days with the possibility of extension).
Issuance of an ID card or residence permit for a period from 5 to 10 years (with subsequent renewal).

Particular attention is paid to the digitalization of procedures and the elimination of corruption factors.

Restrictions and Grounds for Refusal

A refusal may be issued in the following cases:

Threats to national security or public order;
Membership in extremist or terrorist organizations;
Submission of knowingly false information;
Withdrawal of consent by the property owner to provide housing.

Termination of the Residence Permit

Grounds for cancellation include:

Departure for permanent residence abroad;
Long-term absence without valid reasons (more than 3 years);
Loss of identity document and refusal to replace it;
Revocation of status by court or MIA decision;
Acquisition of citizenship of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

This Regulation demonstrates Uzbekistan’s intention to combine migration policy with the goals of economic development and social stability. On one hand, it creates transparent conditions for investors, specialists, and compatriots, and on the other, it ensures control over migration flows. Future priorities include:

Further digitalization of procedures;
Harmonization of legislation with international standards;
Simplification of conditions for investors and qualified specialists;
Strengthening guarantees of the rights of stateless persons.

Thus, the legal regulation of the permanent registration of foreign citizens and stateless persons in Tashkent and Tashkent Region serves as an important element of the state migration policy, ensuring a balance between the interests of the individual and the state.

Roadmap for Obtaining a Residence Permit (Permanent Residence) in Tashkent and Tashkent Region

Stage	Action	Competent Authority	Main Documents	Timeframe
1	Submission of application	District Department for Migration and Citizenship (OMiOG) at the place of temporary registration	- Application form (2 copies) - Passport or travel document - Photo 35×45 mm (2 pcs.)	On the day of submission
2	Document acceptance	OMiOG	Additionally: - Notarized consent of property owner - Marriage/birth certificates (if necessary) - Documents confirming investment or “vatandosh” status	On the day of submission
3	Initial data verification	OMiOG + MIA (digital databases)	Verification of personal data and security checks	Up to 10 working days
4	Submission to MIA	OMiOG → MIA (Department of Digital Technologies and Legal Statistics)	Applicant’s document package	Up to 3 working days
5	Verification of information	Competent authorities (MIA, Cadastre, security services)	Interdepartmental requests	Up to 20 working days
6	Decision-making	MIA	Final conclusion (approval/refusal)	Up to 15 working days after all data are received
7	Applicant notification	OMiOG	Electronic notification of the decision	Within 3 working days
8	Permit issuance	OMiOG	Passport/travel document + state duty receipt	On the day of application
9	Document issuance	OMiOG	Residence permit or ID card	Validity:- 5 years (standard)- 10 years (investors)- Permanent (stateless persons over 60)
10	Address registration	OMiOG through “Manzil”/“Address” system	Electronic entry of permanent residence address	On the day of issuance

Categories Eligible and Ineligible for a Residence Permit

Categories Eligible for a Residence Permit

According to the Regulation approved by Resolution No. 593 of the Cabinet of Ministers dated 28.09.2020, the following are entitled to apply:

Property owners – foreign citizens and stateless persons who have legally acquired real estate;
Close relatives (first and second degree) of persons already permanently registered – parents, children, grandparents, and grandchildren;
Spouses living together for at least 5 years, if one of them already has permanent registration;
Wards/guardianship and foster children – may be registered in the guardian’s residence;
Brothers and sisters if parents are deceased or absent;
Highly qualified specialists invited to work in state authorities, economic associations, and other national-level institutions, as well as their families;
Persons with “Fakhriy fuqarо” (honorary citizen) status and their families;
Foreign investors who have invested at least USD 3 million in Uzbekistan, and their families;
Vatandoshlar – compatriots living abroad, and their families;
Foreigners who purchased new housing for at least 3,300 BCVs (basic calculation values), with payment through bank accounts;
Undocumented persons who have been living in Uzbekistan since Soviet times – they may first obtain a document to legalize their status and then apply for a residence permit.

Categories Ineligible for a Residence Permit

Not eligible for registration and residence permits are:

Persons not included in the above list (e.g., foreigners without housing, investments, close relatives, or “vatandosh” status);
Foreigners staying in Uzbekistan on tourist visas, electronic visas, or visa-free regime for up to 60 days;
Employees of diplomatic and consular missions, as well as representatives of international organizations and their families (regulated separately);
Persons who have submitted false information or forged documents;
Persons posing a threat to national security and public order (members of terrorist, extremist, and other banned organizations);
Foreigners whose housing owner has formally refused to provide space for registration.