Uzbekistan abolishes registration restrictions in the capital

The restriction on permanent registration—commonly known as "propiska"—in Tashkent city and the Tashkent region has been officially lifted. From now on, all citizens of Uzbekistan will be eligible for permanent registration in the capital and its surrounding region, without limitation. This is stipulated in the newly signed law “On Registration of Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons by Place of Residence and Stay,” which was approved by the President on July 11.

As a result, the previous law, “On the List of Categories of Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan Subject to Permanent Registration in Tashkent City and Tashkent Region,” which had been in effect for 14 years, has been repealed.

Previously, only 12 specific categories of citizens—including property owners, close relatives, adopted children, minor siblings without parents, and high-level government appointees and their families—could be permanently registered in Tashkent and the surrounding region. Under the new law, this restriction has been removed, and all citizens now have the right to permanent registration in these areas.

The issue was discussed earlier this year during the third plenary session of the Senate on January 24. Lawmakers noted that the previous restrictions were limiting citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of movement and choice of residence within the republic. The inconsistent registration process across the country also created unnecessary bureaucratic barriers, especially in Tashkent and its region.

The new law also reduces the period citizens can stay at a residence without registration from 15 to 10 working days. Citizens, as well as permanently residing foreign nationals and stateless persons, can now apply for registration in person at migration and citizenship departments of the internal affairs bodies, at public service centers of their choice, or online through the Unified Interactive Public Services Portal.

An “e-notification” system has also been introduced to manage the registration and accounting of foreign citizens and stateless persons residing in Uzbekistan who apply for permanent residence registration.

Citizens applying for permanent registration in person must present the following documents:

•  The passport or ID of the property owner;
•  Their own passport or ID card;
•  An application for consent to provide housing, or a notarized consent from the owner if they are unable to be present;
•  For children under 16: a birth certificate or other identity document, and if applicable, documents confirming guardianship or foster care;
•  If a child is being registered at the residence of a parent, the owner’s consent is not required.

For temporary registration, applicants must submit:

•  An application or consent from the property owner (notarized if necessary);
•  Passports or ID cards of both the property owner and the applicant;
•  For children under 16: a birth certificate or identity document;
•  Supporting documents if the child is under guardianship or care.

The law will come into force on October 12, 2025, three months from its official publication.

As a reminder, Uzbekistan had previously introduced a national procedure for the registration of citizens and stateless persons by place of residence.