Uzbekistan SIM Card, eSIM & IMEI Rules: Internet Guide for the Silk Road (2026)

Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva form one of the great travel routes in Asia, and more visitors are doing it every year. You will want data for Yandex Go rides in Tashkent, train tickets, maps in old-town lanes, and translation, since English signage thins out quickly outside the main sights.

Uzbekistan also has a rule many travelers have never heard of: IMEI registration. Here is what it means and how to avoid the hassle.

What is IMEI registration in Uzbekistan?

Every phone has a unique IMEI number. Uzbekistan runs a national register called UzIMEI, and phones using local mobile service need to be registered in it. According to local reporting from March 2026, an unregistered phone stops connecting to the network after 30 days. Customs rules also apply to expensive phones brought into the country.

For a typical two-week trip this rarely bites. It is still one more thing to read up on before you buy a local SIM. Rules change, so check the official UzIMEI site before you travel if you plan to go local.

Uzbekistan's mobile networks

The main operators are Beeline, Ucell, Mobiuz and the state-owned Uzmobile, with smaller players Humans and Perfectum. All of them cover Tashkent well. Which one is best depends on your route.

Option 1: Buy a local SIM

•         What you need: your passport. The number is registered to you at the shop.

•         Where: operator shops in Tashkent and other cities.

•         Watch out for: IMEI rules for local SIMs, plus queues and paperwork in a language you may not read.

Option 2: Use a travel eSIM

Install a plan before you fly and switch it on when you land at Tashkent. You keep your home number for bank codes. Our Uzbekistan eSIM plans start at $2.00 with hotspot included. Check your phone with the compatibility checker first.

Coverage along the Silk Road route

Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara have good mobile data, and hotels on the main route almost all have Wi-Fi. Coverage weakens in the desert, in the mountains, and on long intercity roads, such as the drive across the Kyzylkum to Khiva. The Afrosiyob high-speed train between Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara follows populated areas, but expect gaps. Download offline maps and tickets before long legs.

Combining Uzbekistan with Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan

Many Silk Road trips cross into Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan. An Uzbekistan plan covers Uzbekistan only. Kazakhstan has its own IMEI rules too; see our Kazakhstan internet guide.

How to set up your Uzbekistan eSIM

1.       Buy the plan and install it over Wi-Fi before departure, using our installation guide.

2.       Keep the eSIM line off until landing.

3.       In Tashkent, turn the eSIM line on and enable data roaming for it.

FAQ

Do I need a passport for the eSIM?

No. A passport is needed for a local Uzbek SIM.

Does Yandex Go work with an eSIM?

It runs on mobile data, so yes. If the app asks for an SMS code, it is sent to your home number.

Is Wi-Fi easy to find?

In hotels on the main tourist route, generally yes. Use it for big downloads and keep mobile data for maps and messaging.