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How to start a business in Uzbekistan as a foreigner (2026)

Starting a business in Uzbekistan as a foreigner: easy.

Uzbekistan permits 100% foreign ownership of LLCs and JSCs with no mandatory local partner and no statutory minimum charter capital. Online registration via my.gov.uz typically completes in 3-5 working days for a nominal state fee. From 1 January 2026, a 'Start a Business in 15 Minutes' one-stop regime entered force, bundling registration, VAT certificate, electronic signature, and bank-account opening in a single session.

Last verified Official sources first · MethodologyCompare Uzbekistan with other countries

Legal framework

Law on Investments and Investment Activity (No. ЗРУ-598, 25 December 2019); Law on Limited Liability Companies; Civil Code of Uzbekistan, administered by the Ministry of Justice and the Agency for Public Services

Key points: starting a business in Uzbekistan

  1. Foreign ownership limits

    Uzbek legislation imposes no cap on foreign equity participation: foreign citizens and legal entities may own up to 100% of an LLC or JSC without requiring a local partner or resident director.

    investmentpolicy.unctad.org state.gov

  2. Minimum capital & registration fee

    There is no statutory minimum charter capital for an LLC. The state registration fee is 1 Basic Estimate Amount (~340,000 UZS, ≈ USD 27) for standard LLCs; 10 BEA (~USD 270) if charter capital exceeds 400 million UZS, which triggers Foreign Enterprise LLC (FE LLC) status with additional tax privileges.

    gov.uz gratanet.com

  3. PINI requirement for foreign founders

    Any foreign citizen who is a shareholder or will serve as director must first obtain a PINI (Personal Identification Number for Individuals) from Uzbek authorities before the company registration can be submitted, the main additional step compared to a domestic founder.

    it-park.uz lexcell.uz

  4. Registration process & timeline

    Standard LLC registration is completed online via my.gov.uz or at a Public Services Centre in approximately 3-5 working days. Required steps: reserve company name, prepare charter and founding documents (with certified passport translation for foreigners), obtain PINI, choose tax regime, pay registration fee, and submit electronically.

    gov.uz state.gov

  5. 2026 'Start a Business in 15 Minutes' reform

    From 1 January 2026, Uzbekistan introduced a comprehensive one-stop registration principle under which entrepreneurs simultaneously receive company registration, a VAT payer certificate, an electronic digital signature, a bank account, and notification to relevant state bodies within 15 minutes. Announced by President Mirziyoyev on 20 August 2025.

    president.uz m.kun.uz

  6. Land ownership restriction

    Foreign citizens and non-resident entities are prohibited from owning land in Uzbekistan; they may lease land but not hold title. This is the primary sector-specific restriction affecting foreign investors.

    gratanet.com state.gov

Sources

  1. state.gov/reports/2025-investment-climate-statements/uzbekistan
  2. investmentpolicy.unctad.org/investment-laws/laws/328/uzbekistan-the-law-on-investments-and-invest
  3. gov.uz/en/pages/Tadbirkorlik_subyektlarini_davlat_royxatidan_otkazish
  4. president.uz/en/lists/view/8395
  5. gratanet.com/publications/foreign-ownership-restrictions-limitation-of-foreign-inv
  6. lex.uz/ru/docs/4751834
  7. it-park.uz/index.php/en/itpark/news/how-to-register-a-business-in-uzbekistan-a-c
  8. lexcell.uz/is-it-possible-for-a-foreign-citizen-or-non-resident-company-to-open-
  9. m.kun.uz/en/news/2025/11/17/uzbekistan-to-introduce-new-system-simplifying-bus

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Orientation, not legal advice: verify against the primary sources linked above. Last verified 24 May 2026. Methodology & how to cite · State of Technology Regulation 2026