Nigerian Passport Holders Barred From Uzbekistan Entry With No End Date

Uzbekistan has introduced temporary restrictions on the issuance of visas and entry into the country for Nigerian citizens. The measure, which could affect Nigerians planning to travel to the Central Asian country for tourism, business, education or other purposes, was detailed in a notice on the website of the Green Energy Technologies Central Asia (GETCA) exhibition.

Key facts

• Who is affected: Nigerian nationals seeking visas for or entry into Uzbekistan
• What is changing: temporary restrictions on both visa issuance and entry
• Also affected: citizens of Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Iraq and Bangladesh, according to similar notices on the same website
• Exceptions: travellers with exceptional reasons to enter are advised to contact the consular section of the Embassy of Uzbekistan
• Announced: the restrictions were reported on 6 November 2026; no start or end date has been given

What is changing?

According to the GETCA notice, temporary restrictions are currently in place on the granting of visas to Nigerian citizens and on their entry into the Republic of Uzbekistan. The notice addresses visitors from the affected countries and describes the restrictions as current rather than forthcoming.

The source does not state when the restrictions took effect, how long they will last, which visa categories they cover or whether any fees or application routes have changed.

Who else is affected?

Nigeria is not alone. The exhibition website carries similar notices for citizens of Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Iraq and Bangladesh. The source does not say whether other nationalities are affected or how many countries are covered in total.

Have the Uzbek authorities explained the measure?

No formal public statement explaining the restrictions had been identified on the website of Uzbekistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs as of Friday, 6 November 2026. The ministry's general visa information page sets out the country's visa arrangements for foreign nationals but does not specifically address the reported restrictions affecting Nigerians. No reason for the measure has been given.

What this means for travellers

Nigerian passport holders planning to visit Uzbekistan should expect both visa issuance and entry to be restricted for now. The notice advises anyone seeking entry under exceptional circumstances to contact the consular section of the Embassy of Uzbekistan to find out whether they qualify for exceptional entry arrangements.

Travellers from Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Iraq and Bangladesh should also check the position before making firm plans, given that similar notices apply to their countries.

No timeline has been announced for reviewing or lifting the restrictions, and no further official guidance has been published at the time of reporting.