President of Uzbekistan signed law on undesirable foreigners

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on 15 November signed amendments to the law “On the legal status of foreign citizens and stateless persons in Uzbekistan”.

The law outlines criteria for including foreign citizens and stateless persons in the list of individuals whose presence in Uzbekistan is deemed undesirable.

Grounds for inclusion in the list include public calls or actions that contradict the state’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security, provoke interstate, social, national, racial or religious hostility or discredit the honor, dignity and history of the people of Uzbekistan.

The government has been tasked with approving the procedure for adding individuals to the register within one month. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will maintain the list.

Individuals may be added to the list based on the recommendations of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, as well as other specially authorized state bodies.

Undesirable individuals will be banned from entering Uzbekistan, opening bank accounts, purchasing real estate, participating in the privatization of state property or entering into financial and contractual relationships, except for the disposal of their property in the country.

The period of inclusion in the list is five years. If the reasons for inclusion are not resolved within this time, the term may be extended for another five years. If the grounds for inclusion are eliminated, individuals can be removed from the list ahead of schedule.

Foreign citizens and stateless persons residing permanently or temporarily in Uzbekistan must leave the country voluntarily within 10 days after being notified of their inclusion in the list.

Failure to comply will result in deportation by the authorities, and any issued visas will be annulled.

If the actions of a foreign citizen or stateless person that led to their inclusion in the list involve criminal or administrative offenses, they will be deported after serving any court-mandated penalties or after being released from liability in accordance with the law.

The costs of deporting foreign citizens and stateless persons who have permanent residence in other countries, and who have entered Uzbekistan for official, private, business, educational, professional or tourism purposes, will be borne by the inviting and receiving individuals or legal entities. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will cover the expenses for deporting other foreign nationals and stateless persons.