Uzbekistan has introduced digital identity verification for domestic air travel, allowing passengers to present electronic versions of their passport, national ID card, or driver’s license through the MyGov government services app. The development eliminates the immediate need for physical identification documents on domestic flights, provided passengers show live, in-app credentials at airport check-in counters.
Digital IDs Gain Broader Acceptance
Digital IDs for air travel mark the latest step in Uzbekistan’s broader efforts to integrate digital identity technology into daily life. While the aviation measure is new, digital IDs have been accepted in other sectors since December 2024 under government regulations allowing electronic documents to replace physical ones at banks, notary offices, government agencies, and railway stations. Officials have confirmed that digital IDs presented through official apps hold the same legal weight as physical documents, and institutions are barred from demanding paper originals if a digital version is provided. As of July 2025, only the MyGov app is fully operational for these services, while the Social Card app remains in beta for Android devices, with an iOS version anticipated later in the year. The digital system currently supports the national e-ID card, biometric passports, and driver’s licenses, with plans to add other documents such as marriage and birth certificates in future phases.
Passengers seeking to use digital IDs for domestic flights must log into their personal accounts on the MyGov or, eventually, Social Card apps prior to check-in. Uzbekistan Airports has specified that only live, in-app documents will be accepted as valid identification; screenshots, scans, photos, or printouts will not be recognized. Attempting to use falsified or static images of digital IDs can result in administrative fines under Article 211¹ of Uzbekistan’s Code of Administrative Liability, with penalties reaching up to five times the base calculation rate.
Digital Identity and State Surveillance Concerns
This expansion of digital ID usage comes as Uzbekistan continues to develop its national digital identity systems. Officials have also held discussions with Azerbaijan about the mutual recognition of biometric ID cards for cross-border travel, signaling a regional interest in interoperable digital identity platforms. Globally, organizations like the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have urged states and airlines to accelerate the adoption of digital identity standards to improve security and streamline passenger processing.
While Uzbekistan presents digital identity as a technological modernization effort, independent observers note that digital ID systems can significantly expand government surveillance capabilities, particularly in countries with limited political freedoms. Despite recent economic reforms, watchdog organizations continue to classify Uzbekistan as an authoritarian state, raising concerns about how digital tools might be used for broader monitoring and control alongside administrative efficiencies.
Sources: Gazeta, Kun, U.S. Department of State
–
By the ID Tech Editorial Team
