Travel tips
SIM cards, coverage and IMEI registration
Local SIM cards are sold on presentation of a passport. If your phone runs on a local SIM for more than 30 days, its IMEI must be registered with UZIMEI; on roaming it is free.
Operators and SIM cards
The main mobile operators are Beeline, Ucell, Mobiuz and state-owned Uzmobile. 4G is good in the cities and along the main highways; in the mountains, the Kyzylkum and around the Aral Sea, coverage can drop out.
You can buy a SIM at Tashkent airport or at operators' official shops in town — bring your passport, as the card is registered in your name. Data is cheap; ask in store about tourist plans.
The country code is +998, and local numbers look like +998 XX XXX XX XX.
IMEI: who needs it and when
Uzbekistan registers the IMEI codes of mobile devices in the UZIMEI system. According to the official site, uzimei.uz, registration must be completed within 30 calendar days of a local operator's SIM first connecting — otherwise the phone is cut off from local networks.
There is a fee: 20% of the base calculation amount within the first 30 days, 25% after that. For non-residents using a foreign SIM on roaming, registration is free.
In practice, a local SIM normally works fine on trips shorter than 30 days. For longer stays, register the IMEI at uzimei.uz, via the my.gov.uz portal or at an operator's shop. Dial *#06# to see your phone's IMEI.
Messaging apps and power
Telegram is by far the most popular messenger in Uzbekistan — hotels, guides and drivers will usually message you there. WhatsApp works too.
Mains power is 220 V, 50 Hz, with European C and F sockets.
Sources
Information checked as of 20 October 2026. Rules change — confirm with official sources before you travel.