How to Open a Bank Account in Uzbekistan as a Foreigner in 2026
For Russians and other foreigners in Uzbekistan, a local card is needed for almost everything: since April 2026 many payments are accepted only cashless. Here are the documents you need, where to get a PINFL and which cards are available.
Up to date as of October 2026. Rules change — check the regulator's website before you act.
Who regulates it
Banks are supervised by the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan, official website cbu.uz. The procedure for opening accounts is set by the Central Bank's Instruction on opening, maintaining and closing bank accounts (latest amendments — November 2025). Individual banks may add their own requirements.
Documents
| Document | Why you need it | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|
| International passport | Identification | — |
| PINFL | No account without it (since February 2023) | Migration department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or a Public Services Center |
| Temporary registration | Required by many banks | At your place of stay |
| Local SIM card | SMS codes and mobile banking | Mobile carrier store |
Step by step
- Get temporary registration at your place of residence.
- Get a PINFL (personal identification number) at the migration department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or a Public Services Center — with your passport and registration. It usually takes a few business days. You can check the number on my.soliq.uz in the “Find your TIN or PINFL” section.
- Choose a bank and a card. The national payment systems are Uzcard and Humo; you need them for local transfers, QR payments and government services. Visa cards are issued by more than 20 banks; according to kun.uz, Visa Classic is free at six of them and costs 20,000–50,000 soum (UZS) at the rest (check the terms for non-residents with the bank).
- Visit a branch in person. As a general rule, a foreigner's first account is not opened remotely. The exceptions are founders and foreign specialists of IT Park residents, as well as existing bank clients opening an additional account.
- Prove the source of funds if you bring in a large amount: the bank has the right to request documents.
Cashless payments since April 1, 2026
Under a decree of December 10, 2025, utilities, fuel, government services, real estate, cars and any purchase over 25 million soum can be paid only by card or electronically. Mir cards have not been serviced in Uzbekistan since 2022, and Russian Visa and Mastercard cards don't work abroad — so it is hard to manage without a local card.
How well your money is protected
For deposits opened since February 19, 2025, the state protects up to 200 million soum per depositor per bank; foreign currency deposits are reimbursed in soum. Compensation is paid by the state deposit protection agency (fgd.uz). Details are in the article deposits in Uzbekistan 2026.
Obligations to the Russian tax service (FNS)
A Russian tax resident usually has to notify the FNS about opening a foreign account and file a cash flow report by June 1. The simplified rule for turnover up to 600,000 rubles applies to EAEU countries and countries with automatic information exchange; Uzbekistan is not in the EAEU. A breakdown is in the article Russian tax residency and investing.
What you risk
- Handing over your card “for a cut.” Resolution PP-153 of April 30, 2025 introduced administrative and criminal liability for “money mules” who hand over cards, SIM cards and accounts for other people's transactions.
- Crypto P2P via foreign exchanges. Residents may use only NAPP-licensed platforms; violations are punishable under Art. 155⁴ of the Code of Administrative Offenses. More in Binance in Uzbekistan: fines.
- Middlemen offering “we'll open a card remotely.” Central Bank rules require in-person identification — you risk your money and your passport data.
- Compliance restrictions. Banks may request your PINFL and documents and restrict the account until you provide them — that is what Ipak Yuli Bank did with clients from Russia in 2024.
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- No account without a PINFL — get it at a Public Services Center or the migration department.
- You must open it in person; remotely only in specific cases.
- Deposits are protected up to 200 million soum per bank.
- Don't hand your card to others — it is a criminal offense.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Russian citizen open a bank account in Uzbekistan?
Yes, banks in Uzbekistan open accounts for non-residents. You need a passport and a PINFL; many banks also ask for temporary registration. You have to visit the bank in person — as a general rule, a foreigner cannot open a first account remotely.
What is a PINFL and where do I get it?
It is a 14-digit personal identification number for individuals. Since February 2023, banks don't open accounts without it. For a foreigner it is issued by the migration department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or a Public Services Center based on a passport and temporary registration, usually within a few business days.
Do Russian cards work in Uzbekistan?
Mir cards have not been serviced since September 2022, and Visa and Mastercard cards from Russian banks don't work abroad. That's why Russians open local cards.
Do I need to report an account in Uzbekistan to the Russian tax service (FNS)?
For a Russian tax resident — as a rule, yes: notify the FNS about opening the account and file a cash flow report by June 1. Uzbekistan is not in the EAEU, so the simplified rule for turnover up to 600,000 rubles may not apply. Details are in the article on Russian tax residency.
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