Uzbekistan passport expired, but you have a U.S. passport — what should you do?

Visa-free entry for U.S. citizens
As of January 1, 2026, U.S. citizens are allowed to enter Uzbekistan without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. At first glance, it may seem that a U.S. passport holder can simply use their American passport for the trip, even if their Uzbek passport has already expired. However, different rules apply to people who are still considered citizens of Uzbekistan.

If Uzbek citizenship has not been officially terminated
Obtaining U.S. citizenship does not automatically terminate Uzbek citizenship. If a person has not officially renounced citizenship of the Republic of Uzbekistan or their citizenship has not been terminated through the established legal process, Uzbekistan continues to regard that person as its citizen.

This means that a U.S. passport does not replace Uzbek documents when traveling to Uzbekistan. According to guidance from Uzbek diplomatic missions, Uzbek citizens who also hold citizenship of another country but have not officially terminated their Uzbek citizenship must take their status as citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan into account when preparing for travel.

For this reason, it is advisable to verify your current citizenship status and document requirements before purchasing tickets.

What to do if your Uzbekistan passport has expired
If a person remains a citizen of Uzbekistan but their passport has expired, there are legal procedures available to resolve the documentation issue. One option is to obtain a Certificate of Return to the Republic of Uzbekistan. This document is issued by Uzbek embassies and consulates abroad and allows a citizen to return to Uzbekistan when they are unable to use a valid passport.
An expired passport is one of the situations in which such a certificate may be required.

Depending on the circumstances, it may also be possible to apply for a new passport through an Uzbek consular office outside Uzbekistan.

Certificate of Return to Uzbekistan
The Certificate of Return is intended for Uzbek citizens who need to return to the country but cannot travel using a valid passport.
It may be necessary, for example, if:

• the passport has expired;
• the passport has been lost;
• the document is damaged and cannot be used for travel;
• other circumstances have left the citizen without a valid travel document.

The application process, required documents, and processing times should be confirmed directly with the Uzbek embassy or consulate responsible for your area of residence.

Can you obtain a new passport in the United States?
Uzbek citizens living abroad may, in certain circumstances, be able to apply for a new passport through an Uzbek diplomatic mission or consular office. The specific procedure depends on the applicant’s circumstances, consular registration status, available documents, and other factors.

Citizenship of another country may also be taken into account during the application process. For this reason, U.S. passport holders are advised to provide the consulate with complete and accurate information about their current status.

If your Uzbekistan passport has already expired or is close to expiring, it is better to contact the consulate well in advance rather than immediately before your planned trip.

A U.S. passport does not automatically terminate Uzbek citizenship
This is one of the most important points for Uzbek citizens who later obtained U.S. citizenship. Simply receiving a U.S. passport should not be interpreted as proof that Uzbek citizenship has automatically ended.

Uzbek citizenship can only be terminated through the procedure established by law. Until the citizenship issue has been officially resolved, a person may continue to be regarded by Uzbek authorities as a citizen of Uzbekistan.

For this reason, the visa-free entry rules that apply to U.S. citizens may not apply in the same way to someone who is still considered an Uzbek citizen as they would to a person who has never held Uzbek citizenship.

What to do before traveling
If you have a U.S. passport but are also, or previously were, a citizen of Uzbekistan, it is advisable to check your documents before traveling.

In particular, you should:

• determine whether you still hold Uzbek citizenship;
• check the expiration date of your Uzbekistan passport;
• contact the appropriate consular office if your passport has expired;
• ask whether you are eligible to apply for a new passport;
• if necessary, find out how to obtain a Certificate of Return;
• do not rely solely on your U.S. passport if your Uzbek citizenship has not been officially terminated.

Key takeaway
As of January 1, 2026, U.S. citizens can enter Uzbekistan without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. However, if a person is still officially considered a citizen of Uzbekistan, having a U.S. passport alone does not resolve the travel-document requirements.

If your Uzbekistan passport has expired, you should contact the embassy or consulate in advance to determine whether you should apply for a new passport or obtain a Certificate of Return.

Before traveling, it is recommended that you confirm the latest requirements directly with an official diplomatic mission of the Republic of Uzbekistan, since document procedures and requirements may vary depending on individual circumstances.