Starting a business in Uzbekistan: foreigner's guide (2026)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.