Uzbekistan UZIMEI Guide: Registering Foreign Phones in Tashkent & Beyond

Uzbekistan regulates mobile phones through the state-run UZIMEI system. Designed to stop counterfeit and grey-market devices, it monitors every device that connects to local mobile networks.

Key rules for travellers and expats

• The 30-day rule: unregistered foreign phones can be used with local Uzbek SIM cards for up to 30 days from the date they are first activated on a local network.
• International roaming exemption: short-term visitors using only international roaming from their home mobile provider are generally exempt from immediate registration. Inserting a local Uzbek SIM starts the 30-day countdown.

How to register your device with UZIMEI

1. Go to the official UZIMEI online portal, or visit a local post office or an authorised mobile operator branch (such as Ucell, Beeline or Uztelecom).
2. Present your passport, travel documents and your device's IMEI number(s).
3. Pay the state registration fee for your device category.
4. Once processed, your device's status changes from "unregistered" to "registered", so it keeps working on local networks for the long term.