Uzbekistan
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Unclear restrictions - it is not clear to what extent restrictions apply.
Restrictions on entry to Uzbekistan
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to Uzbekistan based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Uzbekistan does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Uzbekistan
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on short-term stay in Uzbekistan based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Uzbekistan does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Uzbekistan
Sources are mixed on whether Uzbekistan imposes restrictions on long-term stay of people living with HIV.
According to UNAIDS, there are no HIV-related restrictions on long-term stay in Uzbekistan.
However, the US Department of State reports that long-term visitors may be required to submit HIV test results along with their visa application.
Additionally, anecdotal information shared by a user suggests that HIV testing is required for long-term stays. See the case studies section below.
Historic regulations in Uzbekistan
In fact, Uzbekistan and UNAIDS authorities announced that ‘all restrictions on entry, stay and residence for people living with HIV in Uzbekistan have been lifted. The reforms were passed by Parliament in August of 2013 and signed by the President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, on the 23rd of September 2013.”
Treatment access in Uzbekistan
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Uzbekistan. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
IOM reports that migrants in Uzbekistan, regardless of status, have the same access as citizens to Government-funded emergency health-care services, free of charge. Stateless persons enjoy the right to health care on an equal basis with citizens, as outlined by Article 14 of the Law on Public Health (2009).
Case Studies
I had a job offer in Uzbekistan and applied for a visa in September 2020, feeling safe thanks to the information on this website and also elsewhere. When I applied for my long-term work visa, they didn’t ask for any test. So I went to Uzbekistan, where after a few weeks, they asked me for some extra documents to finalise my work permit license, and on top, they required me to present a negative HIV-test result. I was in shock and I refused, but there was no way around declaring my status. Therefore, I was not granted a work permit and had to leave Uzbekistan after six months. My colleagues have to perform an HIV-test every year when renewing their work permit.
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
People living with HIV are criminalised in Uzbekistan. There are HIV-specific criminal laws in force which target alleged HIV ‘exposure’, non-disclosure, and/or transmission. We are aware of reported prosecutions under these or other laws.
Visit the Uzbekistan page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
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