Investment Visa (INV)

The Investment Visa (INV) of Uzbekistan was established as a cornerstone of the nation’s ambitious economic liberalization strategy, designed to transform the country into a regional hub for foreign capital and industrial development. Introduced as part of a broader legislative overhaul aimed at modernizing the investment climate, the visa is rooted in the Law on Investments and Investment Activities, which seeks to streamline the entry of international entrepreneurs into the Uzbek market. Historically, Uzbekistan’s immigration framework was characterized by restrictive entry requirements and complex bureaucratic hurdles that often deterred long-term foreign presence. The INV serves as a vital bridge in this system, filling the gap between short-term business visitor visas and permanent residency pathways. By offering a stable, three-year multiple-entry status that is extendable without the need for the holder to exit the country, the government has created a predictable regulatory environment that encourages investors to commit significant resources to the local economy, thereby fostering sustainable growth and technology transfer.

The ideal applicant for the Investment Visa is a high-net-worth individual or a corporate representative prepared to commit a minimum of 8,500 base calculation values—currently equivalent to approximately USD 280,000—into the Uzbek economy. This capital must be deployed through the acquisition of shares, the purchase of stakes in existing enterprises, or the establishment of a new company, making it a versatile tool for professionals across diverse sectors such as manufacturing, information technology, agriculture, and renewable energy. What makes the INV distinct from standard work or business visas is its focus on capital commitment rather than local employment sponsorship; it grants the holder a high degree of autonomy, allowing them to oversee their ventures without the administrative burden of traditional work permit renewals. While the visa provides the significant benefit of long-term residency and the ability to extend status domestically, it is strictly tied to the maintenance of the underlying investment. Consequently, applicants must be prepared for ongoing compliance monitoring to ensure their capital remains active, as the visa is intended to incentivize genuine, long-term economic participation rather than passive entry.