Uzbekistan may abolish fines for losing passports and ID cards

The proposal is set out in a presidential decree.

Under the document, citizens would no longer face administrative liability when applying for a replacement after losing or damaging a passport, an ID card, or a biometric passport for international travel.

The same approach would apply to stateless persons permanently residing in Uzbekistan who lose or damage their residence permit ID card or travel document, as well as to foreign nationals permanently residing in the country who lose or damage their residence permit ID card.

Instead of imposing administrative penalties, authorities would issue replacement documents provided the applicant pays a state fee at an increased rate.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Justice have been instructed to submit the necessary legislative proposals to the Cabinet of Ministers by October this year.

Under the current rules, the loss or damage of a passport or ID card is punishable by a fine equivalent to one basic calculation value.