Uzbekistan improves its position in the global passport index

Over the past year, the number of countries Uzbek citizens can enter visa-free has increased from 27 to 32, placing Uzbekistan's passport second among Central Asian countries and securing the 68th spot in the global Passport Index ranking compiled by financial consultancy firm Arton Capital.

Photo: KUN.UZ

Passports were evaluated based on their holders' ability to enter other countries visa-free, with a visa on arrival, with electronic travel authorization, or an e-visa issued within three days.

According to the data, Uzbek citizens enjoy visa-free access to 32 countries, can obtain a visa on arrival in 46 countries, and need a visa for 120 countries.

At the end of 2023, Uzbekistan was ranked 70th. At that time, visa-free access was available in only 27 countries, visas on arrival could be obtained in 47 countries, and visas were required for 124 countries.

Last year, visa-free agreements were introduced with the UAE, Thailand, Oman, Pakistan, and an agreement was reached with China.

Among Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan leads, ranking 52nd (visa-free access to 46 countries), followed by Kyrgyzstan in 68th place (visa-free access to 32 countries), Tajikistan in 72nd place (visa-free access to 27 countries), and Turkmenistan in 76th place (visa-free access to 18 countries).

The UAE tops the global ranking, followed by Spain in second place, and 14 countries sharing third place: Finland, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria, Portugal, Switzerland, Norway, Greece, and Ireland.

Syria holds the last position in the ranking, with its citizens having visa-free access to only nine countries.

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