Silk Visa Program Q&A

[steven]

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan aim to launch a program dubbed Silk Visa in February 2019, which will allow foreigners with visas issued by either of the two countries to travel in both Central Asian republics. Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan might join in at a later time.

https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-kaza ... 68994.html

Bound to sow confusion if that happens as planned. We welcome your questions and reports below.

[bwv812]

Not much of an advantage for most Westerners unless both Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are in it, as they're the only ones that require visas: if you visit Kyrgyzstan or Kazakhstan visa-free, you likely won't qualify for reciprocity into Uzbekistan or Tajikistan. Indeed, Kazakhstan used to let those with Kyrgyz visas visit the Almaty area without getting a Kazakh visa, but when Kyrgyzstan went visa-free this policy essentially meant you had to get a visa even if you only wanted to visit Almaty.

[henrytn]

Interesting quote on Nikkei:

"The so-called "Silk Visa" has been delayed from a February launch but officials said that they had received all necessary approvals, leaving just technicalities and equipment to be sorted out."

Wonder when it will actually be in place, and confusion will rein in for sure.

Full article: https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Intern ... Uzbekistan

[steven]

I actually got interviewed for this article, but the author left my ideas, which centered on the idea "nobody needs this, it was a good 10 years ago but not now", out to write something rather vague and positive.