Translated with AI
In Uzbekistan, foreign citizens diagnosed with HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis will be denied work permits. This provision is contained in a law adopted by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis (Uzbekistan's parliament) on August 1, Fergana.ru reports.
The Senate noted that the number of citizens returning from abroad has increased in recent years. According to data for 2024, of the 1.7 million citizens returning from long-term stays abroad, only 434,000 (25%) underwent voluntary HIV/AIDS testing. Of these, 1,512 were diagnosed with HIV. Among foreign citizens and stateless persons, 81 out of more than 12,700 who underwent voluntary testing were diagnosed with the disease.
The Senate emphasized that the figures are based on those who voluntarily underwent testing, while the prevalence of infectious diseases among those who did not undergo the necessary tests is unknown. Therefore, it was decided to introduce mandatory HIV testing for Uzbek citizens aged 18 to 60 who have spent more than 90 days abroad, as well as for foreigners and stateless persons (SDPs) permanently residing in the country or coming here for employment.
Medical examinations for Uzbek citizens and disabled people permanently residing in the country will be funded by the state budget. Disabled people who come to Uzbekistan for work and foreign citizens will have to pay for the examinations themselves, through their employer, or through other legal sources. The diagnosis of HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis in foreigners officially becomes grounds for denial of work permits in Uzbekistan.
In addition, the law obliges private employment agencies to train those traveling abroad on the rules of stay in the country of employment.
The changes will come into force after the law is signed by the President of Uzbekistan.
