Uzbekistan Plans to Open Three New Consulates in the United States and Expand Direct Air Routes

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan intends to open three new consulates in the United States and expand direct air connections between the two countries.

This was announced on 17 January by Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Furqat Sidikov, during an open dialogue between ambassadors and business representatives.

The diplomat expressed gratitude to the President of Uzbekistan for the decision to introduce a visa-free regime for U.S. citizens starting in 2026, emphasizing that this measure creates significant potential for the development of the tourism sector.

According to Sidikov, for the past three decades Uzbekistan has been represented in the United States only by its embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Consulate General in New York. Under the president’s decree, three additional consulates are planned to be opened in Chicago, San Francisco, and the state of Washington. The expansion of the consular network, he noted, will enhance the country’s tourist appeal and improve engagement with U.S. regions.

The ambassador also highlighted that Uzbekistan remains the only Central Asian country with direct air service to the United States. Currently, discussions are underway regarding the potential launch of additional flights, including routes to Florida or California.

Sidikov called on tour operators to actively develop travel packages aimed at the American market. In 2025, approximately 40,000 tourists from the U.S. visited Uzbekistan, an increase of 60 percent compared to the previous year. He additionally proposed developing specialized tourism programs for Uzbek citizens permanently residing in the United States, including trips for their children to Samarkand and Bukhara.

Educational and sports tourism were also highlighted as promising areas for development. The ambassador noted that more than 40 tourism events involving U.S. tour operators were held last year.

At the same time, he acknowledged that existing tourist packages are insufficiently developed and promotional materials often follow a standardized template. Sidikov urged more effective allocation of resources to promote Uzbekistan’s tourism potential.

He also mentioned that the Uzbek Embassy in the United States is collaborating with the American television network National Geographic, which plans to produce several episodes featuring Uzbekistan this year.

Previously, in November 2025, the President of Uzbekistan instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to review, within one month, the possibility of opening additional consular offices in the United States, including in Philadelphia, Chicago, Orlando, and Seattle. Decisions were expected to take into account the staffing of specialists to work with key U.S. industry hubs, ensuring wide geographic coverage, and concentrating on regions with large Uzbek diaspora communities.