Hello. I plan to apply for my Uzbekistan visa (tourist) and have read conflicting information regarding Americans needing an LOI. So, quite simply, can anyone tell me if an American citizen with an American passport applying for an Uzbekistan visa in America needs to first obtain an LOI from an agency in Uzbekistan? The consulate website is not specific enough to say an LOI is needed, though in their application they do ask for the inviting agency name, number, etc.
Thank you!
I thought it was pretty clear.
http://mfa.uz/eng/consular_issues/ last section part 2. USA is not exempt from LOIs
http://www.uzbekistan.org/consular/visa/ private/tourist visa section, "Tourist Vouchers of the National Company "UZBEKTOURISM" or authorized travel agencies are required (except for Citizens of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland) for the issuance of tourist visas"
I was confused too by the info given on the websites, and thus used a visa service (also because I had to get my passport back ASAP) -- you don't need a LOI. The visa agency also told me to leave the "inviting agency" portion blank (I put N/A on the application). I received my visa in about 2 weeks w/ "expedited service."
However, I am going w/ a tour, and, as per a request from the visa service, sent them my flight itinerary and the itinerary from the tour company (I don't know if that was given to the Uzbek embassy/consulate), and perhaps that makes a difference?? I know that 10 years ago when I applied for a visa (on a tour as well) I needed a LOI .....
Edited by: tigercactus
Edited by: tigercactus
I contacted the Uzbekistan consulate in New York today. A LOI is not required for US citizens.
After two weeks, I returned to the Uzbek consulate to pick up my visa. As it turned out, the visa fee increased after I had dropped off the application. So, before I could retrieve my passport/visa, I had to pay the increased amount. The annoying thing was that no one from the consulate bothered to call/email me telling me I needed to pay more. Regardless, I got my passport and visa with no problems once I paid...no LOI needed, and the hotels I listed for my stay were accepted without any questions.
