Apple Pay and Google Pay launch in Uzbekistan

Apple Pay and Google Pay became available in Uzbekistan on October 27, giving iPhone and Android users the ability to make contactless payments with their smartphones or compatible smartwatches.

At launch, Apple Pay supports cards from eight financial institutions: Uzum (Visa), Orient Finans Bank (Visa and Mastercard), National Bank of Uzbekistan (Visa and Mastercard), Kapitalbank (Visa and Mastercard), Hamkorbank (Visa), Ipak Yuli Bank (Visa and Mastercard), TBC Bank (Visa and Mastercard), and Octobank (Visa and Mastercard). Android cardholders can add their cards to Google Wallet through their bank's mobile application or directly within the wallet. Verification can be completed via SMS or through the bank's application, depending on the institution.

To make a payment, users simply hold their smartphone near a POS terminal that supports contactless payments. The Android device must support NFC technology. The list of compatible banks and cards will expand as technical integration progresses.

Google Pay's launch was announced on October 19 by Google Cloud representative Marcin Krasuski at an event in Samarkand during Central Asian and U.S. country meetings in the C5+1 format. On October 22, Uzbekistan's Committee on Tourism officially confirmed the implementation of Google Pay and announced the imminent launch of Apple Pay. The committee noted that the services will simplify cashless payments for foreign tourists, allowing them to use familiar payment instruments throughout the country.