The President approved the procedure for issuing "Vatandosh" certificates and cards on November 20. This was reported by the legal information channel of the Ministry of Justice.
The documents are intended for individuals from Uzbekistan and their descendants who reside abroad. They will be issued for participation in the economic and social life of the country, as well as for fostering friendly relations with other states, philanthropy, and charitable activities.
The issuance of "Vatandosh" certificates will be handled by a special commission based on recommendations from ministries and agencies. The grounds for issuing a certificate include:
- the establishment of foreign and/or joint ventures in Uzbekistan;
- the purchase of significant shares and packages of stock in local companies;
- making a substantial contribution to the socio-economic development and promotion of Uzbekistan's positive image worldwide.
The certificate serves as the basis for obtaining a "Vatandosh" card. The card is valid for 5 years, provided that the holder's passport does not expire before that.
Fellow countrymen who receive the "Vatandosh" card and certificate will be able to visit Uzbekistan without a visa. Their close relatives (spouse, parents, minor children) are exempt from state fees when applying for multiple-entry visas and are also not required to leave the country for visa renewals.
Holders of "Vatandosh" cards will be able to work in Uzbekistan without a residence permit or work authorization. When buying property in the country, they will not be subject to minimum price requirements.
Furthermore, compatriots and their family members will have the right to access educational, medical, and other state services on par with citizens. Relatives of the compatriot will be able to register their residence without any fees.
Earlier, Spot reported that a postal delivery service for passports would be launched for citizens of Uzbekistan.