Registration of Citizens and Foreigners in Uzbekistan

Publication date: 17.11.2025

Registration by place of residence and place of stay traditionally occupies a central position in the system of demographic population records, enabling the State to monitor migration, ensure social protection of citizens, properly allocate public resources, and plan infrastructure development.

The adoption of the new Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan (2024–2025) marks a qualitative transition from the police-based propiska model to a modern notification-based registration system, founded on the principles of digitalization, automation, simplification of administrative procedures, and the guarantee of freedom of movement.

According to Article 1 of the Law, its primary purpose is to regulate social relations related to the registration of citizens by place of residence and place of stay. The Law is comprehensive in nature and governs:

protection of the constitutional right of citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan to freedom of movement;
lawful stay of foreign citizens and stateless persons within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
state control over migration processes;
establishment of a unified population registration information system.

At the same time, registration by place of residence does not have a permissive (authorizing) nature, which signifies the abandonment of the Soviet doctrine of propiska and the transition to a model of free choice of place of residence.

Fundamental Principles of Regulation

An analysis of Articles 2–8 of the Law makes it possible to identify the following core principles.

1. Principle of Freedom of Movement

The State guarantees that the absence of registration may not serve as a basis for restricting the rights and freedoms of citizens (Article 3), except in cases expressly provided for by law.

2. Principle of Notification

Registration by place of residence and place of stay constitutes recording of information, not the acquisition of permission. This approach complies with international democratic standards and human rights principles.

3. Principle of Digitalization

For the first time, the Law systematically establishes the use of automated systems:

Manzil — registration by place of residence;
E-mehmon — registration of tourists and in-patients of medical institutions;
E-xabar berish — registration by place of stay.

4. Principle of Integration of State Registers

For example, when a child’s birth is registered, the relevant data are automatically transmitted to the Manzil system (Article 6).

5. Principle of Priority of International Law

If international treaties establish rules different from those provided by the Law, the provisions of international law shall apply (Article 2).

Analysis of Key Legal Concepts

The Law introduces modern terminology necessary for accurate migration records.

1. Place of Residence

A residential premises where a person permanently resides on lawful grounds (Article 4). A key feature is the linkage to a legal title (ownership, lease, or gratuitous use).

2. Place of Stay

A residential premises or accommodation facility where a person resides temporarily.

3. Identification (ID) Card

A document containing biographical and biometric data, as well as information on registration (Article 5).

4. Automated Information Systems

These systems not only regulate registration but also ensure inter-agency data exchange, representing an important step toward a unified digital state.

Registration by Place of Residence: Mechanisms

The procedure has been significantly simplified and includes:

applying to migration units, public service centers, or submitting an electronic application;
submission of a minimum set of documents (passport, consent of the owner, child’s birth documents);
generation of an electronic questionnaire in the Manzil system;
review of the application within one working day.

A particularly important provision is that the registration of children is carried out automatically upon registration of birth.

Registration by Place of Stay

The Law introduces a multi-level registration system involving:

internal affairs bodies;
mahalla public order support points;
public service centers;
electronic services;
hotels and medical institutions via E-mehmon.

The period of stay may be up to one year on the basis of a lease agreement or the owner’s consent. Importantly, the absence of registration by place of residence does not constitute grounds for refusal to register by place of stay (Article 13).

Deregistration (Cancellation of Registration)

Article 14 establishes a differentiated deregistration model, including:

automatic deregistration upon registration at a new address;
deregistration upon the owner’s application in the absence of property rights of the resident;
deregistration by court decision (including cases of fictitious registration);
deregistration upon departure for permanent residence abroad;
automatic deregistration upon death.

At the same time, the Law ensures the protection of minors’ rights: their registration may be cancelled only together with the registration of their legal representatives.

Registration of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons

The Law establishes:

the obligation to register within three working days from the date of entry (Article 7);
use of an identification card or residence permit;
notification-based registration through digital systems;
equal registration rules for foreign citizens and stateless persons.

For short-term stays, the E-mehmon system provides instant registration by place of stay in hotels.

Restrictions on Freedom of Movement

Article 8 provides for restricted territories, including:

border zones;
military settlements;
emergency zones;
particularly important facilities;
areas subject to quarantine regimes;
territories under a state of emergency or martial law.

These restrictions are based on international practice and aim to ensure public and national security.

Digitalization of Migration Records as a State Reform

The new Law reflects Uzbekistan’s strategic course toward:

digital governance;
reduction of bureaucracy;
expansion of citizens’ rights;
integration of all registration processes into a single digital ecosystem.

In effect, Uzbekistan is transitioning from a permissive system to a digital public service model, consistent with the “Uzbekistan-2030” Strategy.

Legal Consequences and Significance of the Law

The Law produces a comprehensive social and administrative effect, including:

simplification of migration records;
combating fictitious registration through digitalization;
protection of property rights of homeowners;
reduction of administrative burden on citizens and businesses;
improvement in statistical data quality and state planning;
increased transparency and trust in public institutions.

The new Law on registration by place of residence and place of stay constitutes a fundamental step in modernizing Uzbekistan’s migration legislation. It complies with international democratic standards, guarantees freedom of movement, strengthens the protection of citizens’ rights, and simultaneously establishes an effective state control mechanism based on digital technologies.

The Law clearly demonstrates a departure from the outdated propiska system and forms a new model of flexible, transparent, and technology-driven regulation.

Registration of Citizens of Uzbekistan and Foreign Nationals

Criterion	Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan	Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons
Registration obligation	Mandatory by place of residence or stay (Art. 6)	Mandatory by place of stay or residence (Art. 6)
Basis for stay/residence	Passport or national ID card	Passport, visa (if required), residence permit, foreigner ID
Registration deadlines	Change of address — 10 working days (Art. 7)	Entry into Uzbekistan: permanent residents — 10 days; others — 3 working days (Art. 7)
Automatic registration of children	Yes, via civil registry → Manzil (Art. 6)	Same, provided appropriate documents
Registration by place of residence	Migration units, public service centers, Unified Portal (Art. 12)	Only via migration units, in person (Art. 15)
Registration by place of stay	Migration units, support points, portals, E-xabar berish, E-mehmon (Art. 13)	Same mechanisms (Art. 16)
Absence of residence registration	Not grounds for refusal (Art. 13)	Same rule applies (Art. 16)
Duration of stay registration	Up to 1 year (Art. 13)	Up to 1 year (Art. 16)
Review period	1 working day	1 working day
Deregistration	Owner’s request, court decision, relocation, death (Art. 14)	Same, within foreigner status framework

Conclusions

The legal regime applicable to foreign nationals in Uzbekistan is largely aligned with that applicable to citizens; differences are procedural rather than restrictive.
Citizens of Uzbekistan have broader digital channels for residence registration, while foreigners must register in person.
Registration by place of stay is nearly identical for both categories and is highly automated.
The Law creates equal conditions for movement and residence while preserving essential state migration control mechanisms.