Uzbekistan’s “Golden Visa” program aims to create favorable conditions for foreign investors, provide legal guarantees, and strengthen the country’s investment climate. It also makes a significant contribution to the country’s openness, capital protection, and the development of stable international economic relations.
Uzbekistan is not the only country introducing golden visas. Various countries around the world offer such visas, and some even grant foreigners full citizenship through “Golden Passports.” Their goal is to attract capital and wealthy foreign investors to the country.
Central Asian countries are also introducing frameworks for issuance of such visas. In particular, new rules for obtaining such a visa came into force in Kazakhstan in April of this year. Individuals who have invested at least $300,000 in the authorized capital of Kazakh companies or in locally issued securities can apply for a visa. Later, they can obtain a residence permit for a period of 10 years.
Such initiatives have proven to be effective in attracting capital, technology, and business activity to the host country.
In short, golden visa programs are aimed at attracting foreign direct investment for the technical re-equipment of a country’s economy, the modernization of production, the privatization of state-owned facilities, and the creation of new jobs.
Presidential Decree
In the context of Uzbekistan’s Golden Visa initiative, certain documents and decrees lay the foundational framework, especially the decree of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev On Measures to Stimulate Production, Export and Entrepreneurial Activity, Improve the Efficiency of Trade and Industrial Policy, adopted on April 18, 2025.
This issue is outlined in paragraph 26 of the decree. According to the document, in order to stimulate investment, from June 1 of this year, citizens of foreign countries and stateless persons will be issued a residence permit in Uzbekistan for a period of 5 years in a simplified procedure for 150,000 USD for each family member (spouse, children, and parents).
In addition, a number of resolutions and decrees of the head of state, and corresponding documents of the Cabinet of Ministers, aimed at stimulating foreign investment have been adopted in recent years.
Uzbekistan’s Openness
It should be emphasized that over the past eight years, despite the contradictions in the world, the pursuit of an open and pragmatic foreign policy has become Uzbekistan’s hallmark on the world stage.
The country has become a favorable place for foreign investors. In order to win the trust of foreign investors, it is necessary to provide them with the necessary conditions, opportunities, and benefits.
Currently, especially against the backdrop of global challenges in the world economy, the competition for investment is intensifying worldwide. Investors choose countries with favorable conditions and a safe investment environment, because they want to see reliable legal protection for their money.
Seven or eight years ago, leading companies were hesitant to invest in Uzbekistan, because the rights of investors were not sufficiently ensured. However, since 2017, Uzbekistan has been implementing radical reforms to create a favorable investment climate. Guarantees of the rights of private owners, including investors, have been updated and even strengthened in the Constitution.
The result was not long in coming. Wherever you go, you will encounter new investment projects and joint ventures. They serve the prosperity of Uzbekistan, the well-being of the population, the creation of new jobs, and the construction of social facilities.
Tashkent International Investment Forum 2025
The Tashkent International Investment Forum, established in Uzbekistan on the initiative of the head of state, has become a tradition and generates great interest on an international scale. This year, the Forum took place from June 10-12, 2025 with a distinct National Exhibition on the sides.
In addition, the Foreign Investors Council has been created. The main tasks of the Council are to provide advisory assistance on the most important areas of investment, trade, technological, and innovative development of our country based on successful experience and international practice, as well as to ensure an open dialogue between the government of Uzbekistan and foreign investors. The first session of the Council in 2022 laid the foundation for the effective functioning of this mechanism.
In May 2024, the second plenary meeting of the Foreign Investors Council under the President of Uzbekistan was held within the framework of the III Tashkent International Investment Forum. It expressed confidence that with the support of the members of the Council, Uzbekistan will continue to demonstrate high growth rates, improve the living standards of our people, and ensure a prosperous future for our country.
In his speech at the III Tashkent International Investment Forum, the President of Uzbekistan expressed his support for foreign investors: “We have taken decisive steps towards a radical improvement of the investment and business environment in the country, and the gradual elimination of all barriers. The large-scale reforms we are implementing are aimed precisely at ensuring that every investor feels free and confident.”
Foreign Investment Coming in
Over the past seven years, more than $100 billion in foreign investment has entered the country. A law on public-private partnerships has been adopted, and more than a thousand projects have been put into operation.
Uzbekistan also launched its own production of 1,800 new types of products. Another initiative to issue “Golden Visas” to foreign investors will also pave the way for accelerating the attraction of foreign investment to our country.
Foreign investors working in the country also highly appreciate the large-scale reform program in New Uzbekistan. In their opinion, the comprehensive support of the head of our state for investment activities and his determination to continue mutually beneficial cooperation deserve high recognition.
Founder of the leading Egyptian investment holding company Orascom, Naguib Sawiris, says: “The active dialogue between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and members of the government with foreign investors is of great importance. This approach has become a clear and convincing signal to stimulate the attraction of foreign direct investment for the economic growth and development of the country. The modern conditions and new initiatives in your country have shown that Uzbekistan is a country ready to receive foreign direct investment.”
“Also, the economic reforms carried out by the head of your state, in particular, the liberalization of the foreign exchange market, the liberalization of the banking sector and monetary policy reforms, the restructuring and privatization of state-owned enterprises and much more, give confidence and strength to foreign investors.”
“During our meeting with the President of Uzbekistan, he listened carefully to all my investment plans and gave clear and prompt instructions to provide all the necessary assistance to the relevant persons. As a result, we invested about 400 million dollars in sugar production. We also attracted an initial investment of more than 20 million US dollars for gold and copper mining.”
Other Countries Offering Golden Visas
According to experts, similar visa programs are widely used in international practice, including in countries of Europe, the United States, the UAE, Singapore, and others.
Following is a detail of the golden visas fee, countrywise:
- Portugal – 250-500 thousand euros
- Greece – 250 thousand euros
- Cyprus – 300 thousand euros
- UAE – 550 thousand dollars
- USA – 5 million dollars
- Spain – 500 thousand dollars
- Singapore – 7.7 million dollars
- Hungary – 250 thousand dollars
- Latvia – 60 thousand dollars.
The Diplomatic Insight is a digital and print magazine focusing on diplomacy, defense, and development publishing since 2009.
