1. COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: UZBEKISTAN IS A NEWLY INDEPENDENT NATION IN THE MIDST OF PROFOUND POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CHANGE. TOURIST FACILITIES ARE NOT HIGHLY -DEVELOPED, AND MANY OF THE GOODS AND SERVICES TAKEN FOR -GRANTED IN OTHER COUNTRIES ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE. INTERNAL TRAVEL AND TRAVEL TO OTHER COUNTRIES OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES (CL S), INCLUDING BOTH AIR AND LAND ROUTES, CAN BE ERRATIC AND DISRUPTED BY FUEL SHORTAGES, OVERCROWDING AND OTHER PROBLEMS.
2. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A PASSPORT AND VISA ARE REQUIRED. PRIVATE TRAVEL MUST BE ARRANGED THROUGH A TRAVEL AGENCY WHICH HAS A RELATIONSHIP WITH UZBEKTOURISM OR VIA AN INVITATION FROM A PRIVATE UZBEKISTANI CITIZEN, BUSINESS, OR ORGANIZATION WHICH REQUESTS VISA ISSUANCE THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AT LEAST ONE MONTH IN ADVANCE. VISAS ARE ISSUED AT UZBEKISTANI EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES ABROAD OR, IN COUNTRIES WHERE UZBEKISTAN DOES NOT HAVE DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION, AT RUSSIAN EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES. VISAS ALSO ARE ISSUED UPON ARRIVAL AT TASHKENT AIRPORT, BUT ONLY THROUGH THE PRIOR ARRANGEMENT OF THE SPONSORING UZBEKISTANI CITIZEN OR ORGANIZATION. THE U.S. EMBASSY CANNOT ACT AS A SPONSOR FOR PRIVATE AMERICAN TRAVELERS. TRAVELERS WITH CIS VISAS ARE PERMITTED ENTRY TO UZEEKISTAN FOR GENUINE TRANSIT ONLY, WITH PROOF OF ONWARD TRANSPORTATION WITHIN 72 HOURS. TRAVELERS WITHOUT A PROPER VISA CANNOT REGISTER IN HOTELS AND WILL BE FINED AND REQUIRED TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY IMMEDIATELY. VISAS FOR U.S. CITIZENS ARE VALID FOR TRAVEL TO ALL CITIES WITHIN UZBEKISTAN. FURTHER VISA INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZEEKISTAN, 1511 K STREET, NW, SUITE
3. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS: ALL TRAVELERS PRESENT IN UZBEKISTAN FOR EVEN ONE DAY MUST REGISTER WITH OVIR, THE OFFICE OF VISAS AND REGISTRATION. HOTEL GUESTS ARE REGISTERED AUTOMATICALLY, BUT ALL OTHER TRAVELERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REGISTERING THEMSELVES. VISITORS WITHOUT PROPER REGISTRATION ARE SUBJECTED TO FINES AND POSSIBLE HARASSMENT BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES. VISITORS ARE REQUIRED TO CARRY A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE PROVING THEY ARE NOT HIV INFECTED, BUT THIS REQUIREMENT IS ONLY SPORADICALLY ENFORCED.
4. MEDICAL FACILITIES: MEDICAL CARE IN UZBEKISTAN IS BELOW WESTERN STANDARDS, WITH SEVERE SHORTAGES OF BASIC MEDICAL SUPPLIES, INCLUDING DISPOSABLE NEEDLES, ANESTHETICS, AND ANTIBIOTICS. MOST RESIDENT AMERICANS TRAVEL TO THE WEST FOR THEIR MEDICAL NEEDS; SUCH TRAVEL CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE IF UNDERTAKEN UNDER EMERGENCY CONDITIONS. THEREFORE, TRAVELERS MAY WANT TO PURCHASE SUPPLEMENTAL OVERSEAS MEDICAL INSURANCE WHICH INCLUDES COVERAGE FOR MEDICAL EVACUATIONS. ELDERLY TRAVELERS AND THOSE WITH EXISTING HEALTH PROBLEMS MAY BE AT PARTICULAR RISK DUE TO INADEQUATE MEDICAL FACILITIES.
5. HEALTH CONCERNS: DISEASES CONTRACTED BY FOREIGNERS INCLUDE SALMONELLA, HEPATITIS A AND B, TYPHOID, RABIES AND MENINGITIS. OTHER FOOD AND WATERBORN DISEASES ARE COMMON. RECOMMENDED VACCINATIONS INCLUDE BASIC DT, MMR, OPV/PV, GAMMA GLOBULIN, HEPATITIS, TYPHOID, RABIES AND MENINGITIS. TRAVELERS ARE ADVISED TO DRINK ONLY BOILED WATER AND TO PEEL ALL FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, AND TO AVOID UNDERCOOKED MEAT. DUE TO INAPPROPRIATE SANITATION CONDITIONS, TRAVELERS SHOULD AVOID EATING DAIRY PRODUCTS AND MOST FOOD SOLD IN THE STREETS. FURTHER INFORMATION ON HEALTH MATTERS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION'S INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS HOTLINE, TELEPHONE (404) 332-4559.
6. CRIME INFORMATION: UZBEKISTAN HAS A LOW RATE OF VIOLENT CRIME, BUT COMMON STREET CRIME HAS INCREASED, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. IN URBAN AREAS, TRAVELERS ARE URGED TO TAKE THE SAME PRECAUTIONS AGAINST CRIME THAT THEY WOULD TAKE IN A LARGE AMERICAN CITY. THE LOSS OR THEFT OF A U.S. PASSPORT SHOULD BE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY TO THE LOCAL POLICE AND TO THE U.S. EMBASSY. THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE'S PHAMPHLET "A SAFE TRIP ABROAD1' PROVIDES USEFUL INFORMATION ON SAFEGUARDING VALUABLES AND PROTECTING PERSONAL SECURITY WHILE TRAVELING ABROAD. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE REGION CAN BE FOUND IN THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE'S BROCHURE "TIPS FOR TRAVELERS TO RUSSIA. " BOTH PUBLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS, U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20402.
7. CURRENCY REGULATIONS: MOST TRANSACTIONS ARE CONDUCTED ON A CASH-ONLY, LOCAL CURRENCY (SOM) BASIS. CREDIT CARDS ARE ACCEPTED ONLY AT THE MAIN HOTEL IN F TASHKENT; TRAVELER'S CHECKS CAN BE CASHED ONLY INTO SOM AT THE NATIONAL BANK OF UZBEKISTAN. TRAVELERS MAY WISH TO BRING PLENTY OF DOLLARS TO EXCHANGE INTO SOM TO COVER THEIR EXPENSES. OLD BILLS (PRIOR TO 1990)AND THOSE IN POOR CONDITION (WITH TEARS, WRITING, OR STAMPS) ARE NOT ACCEPTED. ALTHOUGH PAYMENT IN U.S. DOLLARS IS REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN HOTEL CHARGES, PLANE TICKETS, AND VISA FEES, OTHER DOLLAR TRANSACTIONS, AS WELL AS BLACK MARKET CURRENCY EXCHANGES, ARE PROHIBITED.
8. GENERAL STANDARDS OF CONDUCT: UZBEKISTAN IS AN ISLAMIC NATION. ALTHOUGH MODEST WESTERN-STYLE CLOTHING IS APPROPRIATE IN TASHKENT, WOMEN SHOULD BE PREPARED TO DRESS CONSERVATIVELY IN AREAS OUTSIDE THE CAPITAL. IN RURAL AREAS, WOMEN IN SHORTS, PANTS, SHORT SKIRTS, OR SLEEVELESS BLOUSES RISK HARASSMENT. MEN DO NOT WEAR SHORTS OR SLEEVELESS SHIRTS IN PUBLIC.
9. DRUG PENALTIES: U.S. CITIZENS ARE SUBJECT TO THE LAWS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH THEY ARE TRAVELING. PENALTIES FOR POSSESSION, USE, OR TRAFFICKING IN ILLEGAL DRUGS ARE STRICT AND CONVICTED OFFENDERS CAN EXPECT JAIL SENTENCES AND FINES.
10. AVIATION OVERSIGHT: AS A RESULT OF AN ASSESSMENT CONDUCTED BY THE U.S. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION IN DECEMBER 1994, THE FAA HAS FOUND THE GOVERNMENT OF UZBEKISTAN'S CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL AVIATION SAFETY STANDARDS FOR OVERSIGHT OF UZBEKISTANI AIR CARRIER OPERATIONS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, TRAVELERS MAY CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AT 1(800) 322-7873.
11. REGISTRATION: AMERICANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REGISTER AT THE CONSULAR SECTION OF THE U.S. EMBASSY TO OBTAIN UPDATED INFORMATION ON TRAVEL AND SECURITY WITHIN UZBEKISTAN.
12. EMBASSY LOCATION: THE U.S. EMBASSY IN TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN IS LOCATED AT AT ULITSA CHILANZARSKAYA, 82 IN TASHKENT. THE MAIN EMBASSY TELEPHONE NUMBER 15 (7-3712) 77-14-07; THE CONSULAR SECTION'S DIRECT LINE IS (7-3712) 77-22-31.
13. THIS REPLACES THE CONSULAR INFORMATION SHEET DATED JULY 29, 1994, TO ADD INFORMATION ON COUNTRY DESCRIPTION, ENTRY REQUIREMENTS, AVIATION OVERSIGHT, AND TO UPDATE CURRENCY DATA.