Uzbekistan temporarily restricts visa issuance for Nigerian citizens

Temporary Visa Restrictions for Nigerians

On 6 November 2026, Uzbekistan announced that it would temporarily restrict the issuance of visas and entry into the country for citizens of Nigeria. The decision was communicated through a notice posted on the website of the Green Energy Technologies Central Asia (GETCA) exhibition. The notice states that the restrictions are currently in effect and advises Nigerians who need to travel under exceptional circumstances to contact the consular section of the Uzbek embassy for clarification.

The same notice lists other countries whose nationals are subject to similar restrictions, including Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Iraq and Bangladesh. No formal statement from the Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet explained the reasons behind the measures.

The restrictions could impact Nigerians planning to visit Uzbekistan for tourism, business, education or other purposes. Travelers are urged to seek consular advice to determine whether they qualify for any exceptional entry arrangements.

Background

Uzbekistan’s visa policy is normally managed through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which publishes general entry requirements on its website. However, the ministry’s portal does not contain any specific details about the newly imposed restrictions on Nigerian citizens. The announcement was first reported by the Daily Post and Vanguard, both of which cited the GETCA exhibition site as the source of the notice.

The notice does not provide a justification for the restrictions, and no official explanation has been issued by the Uzbek government as of the time of reporting.

Why it matters

The temporary ban means that Nigerian nationals will face difficulties obtaining visas for travel to Uzbekistan, potentially disrupting planned visits for tourism, business meetings, educational programmes and other activities. The lack of an official rationale may create uncertainty for both Nigerian citizens and Uzbek authorities handling visa applications. Consular support is highlighted as the primary avenue for affected travelers to seek clarification or to apply for exceptional entry.

What happens next

According to the sources, the only next step available to affected travelers is to contact the consular section of the Uzbek embassy. No further dates or pending decisions have been announced by the Uzbek government.