smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Uzbekistan
| Uzbekistan overall | This Advice is current for Thursday, 28 August 2008. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| Andijan and the eastern region of the Ferghana Valley; Regions bordering Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic and Afghanistan | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Civil Unrest/Political Tension (update). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
![[top]](/zwiki/images/page_top.gif)
Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Uzbekistan because of the high threat of terrorist attack. We continue to receive reports suggesting that terrorists may be planning attacks. These could occur at any time, anywhere in Uzbekistan, including the capital Tashkent, and could be directed against a range of targets, including locations known to be frequented by foreigners.
In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. Possible targets include commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners such as hotels, clubs, restaurants, cafes, bars, nightclubs, embassies and other diplomatic interests, schools, markets, shopping centres, places of worship, public transport, outdoor recreation events, tourist areas and large public gatherings. Uzbek government buildings and western government and commercial interests are also possible targets.
You should avoid any large public gatherings or political demonstrations as they may turn violent.
Requests to produce proof of identity are common. You should carry proof of identity at all times.
We recommend that you reconsider your need to travel to the following areas:
Andizhan and the eastern region of the Ferghana Valley: Demonstrations occur and have the potential to turn violent. If you are travelling to the Ferghana Valley, monitor developments as the security situation may deteriorate without notice.
Regions bordering Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic: The security situation is very uncertain and there is also a risk posed by landmines in these areas. In the past, there has been sporadic armed conflict in rural areas in the east of Uzbekistan between extremist groups and government forces.
Regions bordering Afghanistan: The security situation in Afghanistan is very hazardous and there are landmines in the border region between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.
Before travelling to any of these areas ask yourself whether, given your own personal circumstances, you're comfortable travelling to these areas knowing that you could be caught up in incidents of civil unrest or exposed to other security risks. Ask yourself whether travel could be deferred or an alternative destination chosen. If, having considered these issues, you do decide to travel to these areas, you should exercise extreme caution.
Crime targeting travellers has increased and there have been some reports of violent crime. Travellers have been robbed when using unofficial taxis and travelling on trains, particularly on overnight rail services. There have been reports of travellers being robbed by off duty police or individuals posing as police. Crime levels are higher at night and you should avoid walking alone.
The land border between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan remains closed to foreigners without government permission.
Road conditions and driving standards are poor. Rural roads are particularly treacherous, including in the Tian Shan and Fan Mountains. Driving at night is dangerous and security checkpoints are common. Access to service stations can be limited in rural areas.
Drivers are charged a fee to bring motor vehicles into Uzbekistan. Payment is collected at border crossings and varies according to the length of stay.
Travel to Termez on the Afghan border and areas of Surkhandarya in the south-east requires an official permit.
Rail travel can be unreliable and dangerous due to criminal activity.
Airline and air charter safety and maintenance standards vary throughout the world. It is not known whether maintenance procedures and safety standards on aircraft used on internal flights are always properly observed or whether passengers are covered by airline insurance.
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
Uzbekistan is located in an active earthquake zone. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities. Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service.
Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Uzbekistan is predominantly a cash economy. Credit cards and travellers' cheques are not widely accepted. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas. You should exchange any unspent amounts of local currency prior to departure as there is no exchange office at the international airport.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental, custodial and/or access rights as well as a letter of consent from a non travelling parent. You should contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Uzbekistan for the most up to date information.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in Uzbekistan, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Penalties for drug offences are severe and include lengthy prison sentences served in local jails.
Serious crimes, such as attempted murder, can attract the death penalty.
Homosexuality is illegal and penalties include prison sentences.
It is illegal to photograph public transport and this may result in confiscation of equipment or detention. You should check before taking photographs of government or security infrastructure.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
Standards of dress and behaviour are conservative in Uzbekistan. You should take care not to offend.
During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset is forbidden for Muslims. You should also read our Ramadan travel bulletin.
Uzbekistan does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit our ability to provide consular assistance to Australian/Uzbekistani dual nationals who are arrested or detained. We advise you to travel on your Australian passport at all times.
Australian/Uzbekistani dual nationals may be required to complete national service obligations if they visit Uzbekistan. For further information, contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Uzbekistan before you travel.
Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.
Australian citizens are required to obtain visas for Uzbekistan prior to arrival. Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Uzbekistan for the most up-to-date information. The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Jarkata can be contacted on (62 21) 522 2581 or by email on registan@indo.net.id.
Travellers must ensure they possess a valid visa for their next destination. There have been a number of cases where travellers who failed to have one were returned to Uzbekistan.
Australian citizens and permanent residents who use passports of the former Soviet Union to enter Uzbekistan are likely to experience difficulties in dealing with immigration authorities when seeking to depart Uzbekistan. Visas are now required for these passports when travelling between states of the former Soviet Union. You should seek advice from local authorities on documentation requirements for exit before arriving in Uzbekistan.
Currency import and export (of the same amount) is allowed however you need to complete a customs declaration form on arrival and departure.
Registration is required for those staying three days or longer. If you are staying at a hotel, you will need to register there. If you are staying in private accommodation, your host should register you with the local Passports and Visa Office (OVIR or UVIR). If you travel to another city and plan to stay for three days or longer, you will need to register there as well.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
Travel in forested areas brings the risk of exposure to tick-borne diseases. Ticks are very common in country areas and are active from spring to autumn.
Malaria is a risk in Uzunskiy, Sariassiskiy and Shurchinskiy districts (Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya provinces). We encourage you to consider taking prophylaxis against malaria where necessary and using an insect repellent. Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including tuberculosis, typhoid, brucellosis, hepatitis and rabies) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling.
We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, avoid ice cubes, raw and undercooked food, and unpasteurised dairy products. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Uzbekistan. You can obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian Embassy which is in Russia:
Australian Embassy
Podkolokolny Pereulok 10a/2,
Moscow, RUSSIA
Telephone: (+7 495) 956 6070
Facsimile: (+7 495) 956 6170
Website: www.russia.embassy.gov.au
If you are travelling to Uzbekistan, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy, you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
