Uzbekistan restricts visa issuance, entry for Nigerians

Uzbekistan has introduced restrictions on visa applications and entry for Nigerians, leaving prospective travellers uncertain about the reasons, duration and scope of the policy.

The restrictions could affect Nigerian businesspeople, students and exhibitors seeking to visit the Central Asian country, although the Uzbek government has yet to issue a detailed public explanation.

The measure came to light through a notice published on the website of the Green Energy Technologies Central Asia exhibition, a major trade event in Uzbekistan.

The notice listed Nigeria among countries whose citizens were facing temporary restrictions on visa issuance and entry into Uzbekistan.

Other countries and territories mentioned include Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Iraq and Bangladesh.

However, the notice did not specify when the restrictions took effect, how long they would remain in place or whether they applied to all categories of travellers.

It advised affected applicants to contact the consular section of the Uzbek embassy in their respective countries for information on exceptional entry arrangements.

A separate report by Peoples Gazette provided further evidence of the restrictions after a Nigerian woman was reportedly denied an Uzbek visa.

According to the report, the applicant was informed that the restrictions had recently been introduced against citizens of Nigeria and South Africa.

Her valid Chinese residence permit reportedly did not change the decision.

In communicating the refusal, the relevant authorities told her that “Temporary restrictions have currently been introduced” on visa issuance and entry for citizens of her country.

The two accounts, however, differ on the countries affected. While the exhibition notice listed Nigeria and several other African and Asian countries, it did not mention South Africa, which featured in the visa applicant's account.

The discrepancy has left the full scope of the restrictions unclear.

The development further complicates travel arrangements for Nigerians, who already require visas to visit Uzbekistan.

Nigerian passport holders are also not eligible for Uzbekistan's electronic visa or visa-on-arrival arrangements, making access to the country's diplomatic missions particularly important for prospective travellers.

The Uzbek Foreign Ministry had not responded to Peoples Gazette's request for clarification on the reasons behind the restrictions or how long they would last.

There was also no official statement from the Uzbek government explaining the measure, while Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had yet to publicly address the development.

With no formal explanation from either government, Nigerian travellers and businesses are left uncertain about whether the restrictions amount to a blanket entry ban or allow exemptions on a case-by-case basis.