Uzbekistan Bars Visas for Nigerians
Uzbekistan has imposed temporary visa restrictions on citizens of Nigeria and South Africa, and has rejected at least one Nigerian applicant.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Africa
Uzbekistan has imposed a general visa ban on Nigerian citizens, and has also imposed visa restrictions on South African citizens. A Nigerian woman holding a valid Chinese stay permit was denied an Uzbek visa in a written message from the Uzbek foreign ministry.
Why it matters
The denial shows that a valid residence permit from another country does not override Uzbekistan's restrictions for affected nationalities. Travelers from Nigeria and South Africa planning visits to Uzbekistan face rejected applications regardless of other immigration status.
The reported evidence is a single written rejection from the Uzbek foreign ministry citing temporary restrictions for Nigerian citizens. The source gives no total number of affected applicants and no end date for the restrictions.
The players
Uzbekistan
A Central Asian republic that imposed the visa restrictions on Nigerian and South African citizens and issues visas through its foreign ministry.
The details
Uzbekistan rejected a visa application from a Nigerian woman who held a valid Chinese stay permit, with the ministry stating temporary restrictions apply to citizens of Nigeria. Restrictions affecting South African citizens were also recently imposed.
Timeline
Restrictions on Nigerian and South African citizens were recently imposed; exact dates were not reported.
The visa denial was reported on November 5, 2026.
Travel Outlook
Uzbekistan's restrictions on Nigerian and South African citizens are a policy shift that changes access for travelers from those countries, and the denial of an applicant with a valid Chinese permit suggests the rules apply without exception. Travelers from affected countries should expect rejected applications even with other legal residence documents in hand.
Travelers holding Nigerian or South African citizenship should verify visa eligibility with Uzbek authorities before booking flights or accommodation. A valid residence permit from another country, such as China, did not secure an Uzbek visa in the reported case.
The takeaway
Check visa eligibility for Uzbekistan well before booking any trip if you hold Nigerian or South African citizenship, since a foreign residence permit may not change the outcome.
Further reading
For broader context on travel to the continent, see Africa travel coverage.
