Starting May 1, a series of significant legislative changes and new initiatives will come into force in Uzbekistan. This overview is based on materials from Gazeta, the Ministry of Justice, and the Lex.uz website.
According to a presidential decree issued on April 1, from May 1, deadline control will be introduced for appeals received through the president's virtual reception. Appeals that exceed the established review period will be automatically transferred to a higher state authority for execution. When receiving appeals, the virtual reception will categorize them as 'urgent', 'ordinary', or 'requiring consultation'. Appeals returned for control will be re-examined by higher authorities within three working days.
Under a presidential decree of March 30, from May 1, 2026, to improve the efficiency of alimony collection, restrictions will be imposed on individuals with alimony arrears, including limitations on major transactions and access to certain financial, credit, and state services until the debt is fully repaid.
A presidential decree of March 25 mandates that from May 1, 2026, 'Car-Free Day' and 'Car-Free Week' campaigns will be held monthly on the 10th and 25th. Additionally, from May 1, the '10,000 Steps' experiment will be revived, and the 'Healthy Lifestyle' platform (1hls.uz) will be launched. This is stipulated in the presidential resolution 'On comprehensive measures to accelerate environmental education, science, and propaganda within the nationwide project Eco-culture', signed on March 25. The 'Healthy Lifestyle' platform will receive an annual allocation of 10 billion soums from the Special Fund.
A government resolution of March 18 strengthens measures to reduce paper use in state bodies. From May 1, republican and local executive authorities must plan a 15% annual reduction in costs for purchasing paper, ink, printers, and copiers over the next five years. A centralized shared printer system will be introduced, with one printer allocated per 20 employees in open-plan offices. A monthly 'Paperless Day' eco-campaign is also scheduled.
According to a Cabinet of Ministers resolution of January 24, from May 1, registration on a single portal will be mandatory for those undertaking the Umrah pilgrimage. The 'Unified Portal for Hajj and Umrah' has been launched in Uzbekistan. Citizens wishing to perform the pilgrimage must now register through this portal. The new procedure came into effect for Hajj pilgrims from February 1, 2026.
From May 1, a National Program to Combat Heart Attack and Stroke, developed based on the international Stent for Life and Action Plan for Stroke programs, will be launched. The population over 30 will undergo annual screenings for early detection of acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, as per a presidential decree of January 20. Round-the-clock heart attack and stroke teams will operate in inter-district combined trauma and acute vascular disease centers. The program will start in May in Tashkent city and Samarkand region.
From May 1, 'smart' migration stations (Smart migration stations) based on artificial intelligence technologies and self-service capabilities will be launched as a pilot in four regions of Uzbekistan, within the Migration and Citizenship Registration departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This is provided for in a presidential decree of January 19. These stations will be piloted in one district (city) migration and personalization department each in Tashkent, Samarkand, and Fergana regions, and the Republic of Karakalpakstan. Based on the pilot results, they are planned to be opened in other regions, as well as in shopping and entertainment centers and tourist zones next year. Services will include ID card issuance, residence registration, and foreign passport applications.
Under a presidential decree of November 24, 2025, from May 1, 2026, the requirement for certain documents in the provision of archival services will be abolished.
A presidential resolution of March 25 establishes the 'Young Ecologist' badge in several grades from May 1.
According to legislation, enterprises included in the register of 'spin-off' enterprises based on new developments and those producing goods based on scientific developments created without a patent will pay profit tax at a rate reduced by 50% of the established rate from May 1, 2026, to May 1, 2029.
The launch of a Hyundai Rotem high-speed train on the Tashkent-Khiva route is planned from May 1. The first train set has already been delivered to the country, and five more will be delivered during the year, announced Transport Minister Ilkhom Makhkamov. The route is expected to be extended to Nukus in the future.
From May 1, 2026, a practice will be introduced to reimburse from the State Employment Assistance Fund the costs of vocational training in military units for young people who have completed compulsory military service and wish to work in the private sector, as well as for soldiers. Additionally, from May 1, teachers involved in vocational training for soldiers will be paid an hourly wage for conducting classes.
From May 1, the 'Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers' National Research University will organize studies in the following forms. Also from May 1, leading professors, teachers, and researchers of the university will be assigned to regions. Field classes for students will be organized at organizations in the agricultural and water sectors and 'Water Workers' Schools' in the regions.
From May 1, the following transparent mechanism for establishing non-tariff measures in foreign trade will be introduced.
Source: www.gazeta.uz