# Close Protection in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Canonical page: https://closeprotectionhire.com/cities/tashkent/

Close protection and executive security in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Security drivers, bodyguard hire, and risk assessment for Central Asia's most populous capital.


## Threats

- **State Surveillance**: Uzbekistan's security services (SNB) conduct extensive surveillance of foreign visitors, particularly those with business or government connections. Communications should be treated as monitored. Sensitive commercial discussions should be conducted with awareness of surveillance capability. Source: FCDO Uzbekistan travel advice; Freedom House Uzbekistan assessment.
- **Legal and Regulatory Risk**: Uzbekistan's legal system operates under limited rule of law. Commercial disputes can involve state intervention, politically connected interests, and outcomes that do not follow legal processes predictably. Corporate due diligence and local legal advice are important protective measures. Arbitrary detention of foreign nationals, while not common, has occurred.
- **Petty Crime**: Pickpocketing and opportunistic theft occur in Tashkent's bazaars (Chorsu, Eski Juva), around metro stations, and in crowded public areas. The risk level is low compared to most cities in this network but is not negligible.
- **Road Safety**: Traffic accidents are common in Tashkent. Road discipline is inconsistent. A professional driver with local knowledge is appropriate for corporate movement.

## Regulations

- **Licensing**: Security activity in Uzbekistan is governed by Law ZRU-778 'On security activity' of 15 June 2022. Article 9 lists who may carry it out: the security units of state bodies, departmental paramilitary security units and departmental watch security units, and Article 13 allows the National Guard, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to provide security under contract. Article 4 includes protecting the life and health of individuals among the tasks of security activity. The Ministry of Internal Affairs issues permits for technical security services at especially important and categorised sites (Article 71).
- **Firearms**: Under Article 23 of Law ZRU-778, staff of departmental paramilitary and departmental watch security units may carry service weapons and special equipment on duty, and may use force, special equipment or weapons only in the cases and manner the law provides; Article 26 bars the use of service weapons in large crowds. Ask how any armed element would be provided, and under which unit, before an assignment starts.
- **Foreign operators**: Article 9 of Law ZRU-778 does not allow security activity in Uzbekistan by natural persons or by the security organisations of foreign states, including private organisations, except to ensure the security of high-level guests on a short visit. Confirm with the provider, in writing and with local legal advice, the legal basis for any protection arranged in Uzbekistan.

Sources, checked 2026-10-08:

- [Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan 'On security activity', No. ZRU-778 of 15 June 2022 (Articles 3, 4, 9, 13, 23, 26 and 71), lex.uz](https://lex.uz/acts/6066686)

## Zones

Lower-risk areas:

- Mirzo-Ulugbek district: Home to many international hotels, embassies, and corporate offices. Primary zone for business visitors.
- Yakkasaray district: Business and residential area with international hotel presence.
- Yunusabad district: Upmarket residential area with lower crime profile.

Elevated-risk areas:

- Chorsu Bazaar area: Major market, elevated petty crime risk.
- Old City (Eski Shahar): Historic area, manageable during the day with awareness.
- Peripheral residential districts: Lower security infrastructure.

## Emergency contacts

- Emergency (all services): 112
- Police: 102
- International SOS Tashkent: +998 71 120 6240
- British Embassy Tashkent: +998 71 120 5550
- US Embassy Tashkent: +998 71 120 5450
- Tashkent International Clinic (English-speaking, 38 Sarikul Street): +998 78 120 1144 (source: US Mission Uzbekistan, Medical Assistance page, uz.usembassy.gov/medical-assistance/, verified 2026-08-31)
- Tashkent International Clinic, out-of-hours emergency line: +998 90 327 3378 (source: US Mission Uzbekistan, Medical Assistance page, uz.usembassy.gov/medical-assistance/, verified 2026-08-31)
- Republican Science Centre of Emergency Medical Service (2 Farkhad Street, Chilanzar district): +998 78 150 4600 (source: US Mission Uzbekistan, Medical Assistance page, uz.usembassy.gov/medical-assistance/, verified 2026-08-31)
- AkfaMedline hospital call centre (5A Kichik Khalqa yuli, Almazar district): +998 71 203 3003 (source: US Mission Uzbekistan, Medical Assistance page, uz.usembassy.gov/medical-assistance/, verified 2026-08-31)
- Republican Specialized Center of Surgery named after V. V. Vakhidov (Small Ring Road 10, Chilanzar district), call centre: +998 55 588 80 01 (source: rscs.uz official site of the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Centre of Surgery named after Academician V. Vakhidov, call centre listed on the English homepage, verified 2026-08-31)
- Ambulance: 103 (source: FCDO Uzbekistan travel advice, Health section, gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/uzbekistan/health, verified 2026-08-31; the US Mission Uzbekistan medical assistance page gives the same number for Tashkent)

## Warnings

- Currency regulations: Uzbekistan has liberalised currency exchange but some restrictions remain. Declare foreign currency above USD 2,000 on entry. Retain all exchange receipts. Do not use unofficial currency exchange.
- Photography restrictions: Do not photograph government buildings, military installations, police, or border infrastructure. This is enforced and can result in detention and confiscation of devices.
- The surveillance environment means sensitive commercial discussions should not be conducted in hotel rooms, vehicles you do not control, or any venue that could be monitored. This is particularly relevant for energy sector, government contract, or politically sensitive business.
- Medical facilities in Tashkent are limited by international standards. International SOS provides the best available private care. For complex cases, evacuation to Istanbul or Dubai is the standard option.

Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan and the most populous city in Central Asia, with approximately 3 million residents. It is the political and commercial centre of a country undergoing significant economic transformation, with growing international business activity in energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and manufacturing.

## Uzbekistan's opening

Under President Islam Karimov (1991-2016), Uzbekistan was one of the most closed economies in the post-Soviet space. Since 2016, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has pursued consistent liberalisation: currency reform, foreign investment law reform, sector opening, and engagement with international institutions. This has made Uzbekistan increasingly relevant for international business. It also means the infrastructure of an open economy (legal predictability, regulatory clarity, dispute resolution) is still being built, creating risk alongside opportunity.

## Physical security versus institutional risk

Tashkent is unusual in this network in that the physical crime environment is relatively low-risk. The more significant risks for business visitors are institutional: surveillance, legal unpredictability, and the influence of state and politically connected interests in commercial matters. These risks require legal, intelligence, and due diligence preparation that sits alongside conventional physical security planning.

*Sources: FCDO Uzbekistan travel advice. US State Department Level 1 advisory Uzbekistan. EBRD Uzbekistan transition assessment.*
For comparable operating environments in our network, see our [Almaty city briefing](/cities/almaty/) and [Baku city briefing](/cities/baku/).

## Frequently asked questions

### Why is Tashkent on the radar for international business?

Uzbekistan under President Mirziyoyev (since 2016) has pursued significant economic liberalisation, foreign investment promotion, and opening of previously closed sectors. The country has large gas reserves, gold deposits, uranium, and a substantial manufacturing base. International investment in energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and technology is growing. Tashkent is the commercial and governmental hub for this activity.

### Is Tashkent safe for business travel?

Tashkent is a medium-risk environment with a lower physical crime profile than most cities in this network. The more significant risks are non-physical: state surveillance, unpredictable legal processes, and the potential for commercial disputes to involve state-connected interests. For business visitors with straightforward corporate itineraries, the physical security environment is manageable with standard precautions and a vetted driver.

### What is the visa situation for Uzbekistan?

Uzbekistan has significantly expanded visa-free access. UK, US, and EU nationals can typically visit visa-free for 30 days. The e-Visa system is available for those who need it. Confirm current requirements for your nationality, as the policy has changed frequently in recent years.

### What are the medical facilities in Tashkent?

Private medical facilities in Tashkent have improved but remain below Western standards. International SOS has a presence. For routine care, adequate private clinics are available. For serious conditions, medical evacuation to Istanbul (2.5 hours by air) or Dubai is the standard response. Confirm medical evacuation insurance before travel.

### How does Uzbekistan's business environment differ from Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan has a more developed and internationally integrated economy, more sophisticated financial infrastructure, and a longer history of large-scale foreign investment. Uzbekistan is at an earlier stage of opening and presents higher regulatory unpredictability but also earlier-stage investment opportunities. Both involve significant state-adjacent commercial risk that requires local legal and business intelligence support.