Personal Identification (PINFL) in Uzbekistan

Personal Identification (PINFL) in Uzbekistan

PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER OF AN INDIVIDUAL (“PINFL”)

From 1 July 2021, Uzbekistan has replaced several methods of personal identification and united them into one method of identification called the Personal Identification Number of an Individual (“PINFL”). Although Uzbek citizens are not required to go through filings, foreign citizens or stateless people, who need to use the public, banking, social and other services would have to obtain a unique PINFL bespoke to their personal identification and presence in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

What is the PINFL?

PINFL – is a unique number, which consists of 14 digits and provides information about the gender, date of birth, code of the city/town, and the serial number of an individual in the Uzbek passport system. PINFL is introduced as per international standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for machine-reading of documents.

In which cases the PINFL is required?

If a foreigner (individual) or a stateless person wants to make the use of public, banking, social, or other services, (s)he would be required to present the PINFL for reference of the relevant institution. For instance, in case of establishing a company by a foreigner or a stateless person, appointment of a foreigner as director (CEO) of the company, or when using remittances, one should present the PINFL.

Please note that the PINFL would be required only for individuals, i.e. the procedure is not applied to companies.

How to obtain the PINFL?

Firstly, to obtain PINFL, one would be required to obtain a residence permit (whether permanent or temporary) through the local Departments of Migration and Citizenship Registration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (“Department of Migration”). Hotel administration or an inviting person (company) are required to obtain a residence permit, so it is suggested to rely on their assistance.

Secondly, once the residence permit is issued, one would need to attend the Department of Migration in person and apply for the PINFL. It is required to present an original of the passport and certify an application with a fingerprint. Please note that legal representatives are not in a position to obtain the PINFL on behalf of the foreigner. Obtainment of the PINFL is free of charge. The Department of Migration will prepare the PINFL within 7-10 calendar days.