Uzbek Government Shifts Deportation Costs to Returning Citizens

Uzbekistan has tightened its migration regulations following the deportation of over a hundred of its citizens from the United States, Orda.kz reports.

In late April, a plane carrying undocumented persons from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan flew from the U.S. to Tashkent. According to UPL.uz, the repatriation was funded by the Uzbek government, which also provided the aircraft.

Just 11 days later, Uzbekistan's Cabinet of Ministers adopted new regulations for organized labor migration, aimed at penalizing citizens who violate foreign migration laws. The announcement was made via the official  Telegram channel of the Migration Agency’s Xorijda Ish program.

Key changes include:

• Reimbursement of deportation costs: If the Migration Fund financed the return, deportees must repay all related expenses. They are also required to return any subsidies or compensation received from the Fund.
• Limited future access to labor migration programs: Deported individuals will be barred for one year from using organized employment services in developed countries.
• Stricter employment contracts: All organized foreign employment contracts must now include penalties for non-compliance and require third-party financial guarantees.

Another measure, set to take effect on September 1, introduces a special registry. Citizens who violate foreign laws or “damage the international prestige and reputation of Uzbekistan” will be added to the list and barred from obtaining biometric passports for two years.

The updated regulations do not clarify what happens to Kazakh citizens who were deported alongside Uzbeks on the same flight.

Original Author: Igor Ulitin