How to Register an LLC or Sole Proprietorship in Uzbekistan as a Foreigner (2026)

Reading time: ~8 minutes
Updated: April 2026

Uzbekistan is among the top 3 fastest-growing economies in the CIS. GDP grew by 6.4% in Q1 2025 alone, and more than 16,000 foreign companies are already operating in the country — with this number continuing to rise.

If you are considering Uzbekistan as a growth market for your business, the first practical question is:

How do you properly register a legal entity?

This guide provides a complete answer — with up-to-date data for 2026 and practical nuances that are often overlooked.

Choosing the Right Business Structure

Before starting the registration process, you need to choose the legal form. For foreign entrepreneurs entering Uzbekistan for the first time, there are three main options:

Sole Proprietorship (Individual Entrepreneur)

The simplest and fastest option.

· Registration: 1–2 business days

· Minimal documentation

· Simplified taxation

Suitable for:

· services

· consulting

· small-scale trading

From January 1, 2026:

· turnover up to 1 billion UZS → 1% turnover tax

· plus social tax (minimum 1 BRV/month)

· fixed income tax has been abolished

Above 1 billion UZS:

· VAT: 12%

· corporate tax: 15%

Main drawback:

· full personal liability

· limited list of allowed activities (88 categories)

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

The most common and flexible structure.

· No restrictions on activities

· No limits on number of employees

· A foreigner can be the sole shareholder

This is the primary focus of this article.

LLC with Foreign Investment (Joint Venture)

A special legal status providing additional state guarantees and benefits for large foreign investors.

· More complex structure

· Requires separate analysis

We will cover this format in detail in a future article.

UZ2B Recommendation

For most foreign entrepreneurs, starting with an LLC is the optimal choice:

· flexible

· secure

· straightforward registration process

Key Decisions Before Registration

Before submitting documents, several decisions must be made:

Company Name

Restrictions:

· cannot include “UZ”, “UZB”, or “Uzbekistan”

· no religious terms

The name must be reserved via the government portal (valid for 60 days).

Legal Address

A real legal address is required:

· office lease or coworking space

· lease agreement must be registered electronically

If you do not yet have an office, UZ2B can provide a legal address.

Director

Can be:

· Uzbek citizen

· foreign citizen

If foreign:

· work permit required

· obtained after company registration

Share Capital

· No minimum requirement

· must be fully paid within 1 year

Typical setup:

· 1,000,000 UZS (~$85)

Tax Regime

Choosing the tax system is critical and affects:

· costs

· reporting

We will cover this in a separate article.

Step-by-Step LLC Registration

Step 1: Obtain PINFL

PINFL = personal identification number (similar to a tax ID)

Required for:

· company registration

· access to government portals

· opening a bank account

All founders and foreign directors must obtain it

Also recommended:

· get a local SIM card (needed for SMS verification)

Step 2: Obtain EDS (Electronic Signature)

Required for:

· online registration

· interaction with government systems

Step 3: Prepare Incorporation Documents

Includes:

· company charter

· incorporation decision

· founder identification documents

Language:

· Uzbek or Russian

Step 4: Reserve Name & Register Address

· name reservation via portal

· lease agreement registered electronically

Step 5: Submit Documents

Two options:

· online

· in person at Public Service Center

Processing time: 1 business day

Step 6: Pay State Fee

Payment:

· online

· or at Public Service Center

Step 7: Receive Registration Certificate & Tax ID

· both electronic and paper versions are valid

Step 8: Open a Bank Account

Required for:

· payments

· taxes

· operations

Documents:

· registration certificate

· charter

· director appointment

Compliance check for non-residents:

· 1 hour to 1 day

Step 9: Register with Tax Authorities

Notification submitted automatically after registration

Step 10: Company Seal & HR Documents

· seal can be produced locally

· employment contracts if hiring staff

Timeline

Stage	Duration
PINFL	1 day
EDS	1 day
Documents	1–2 days
Address	1–2 days
Registration	1 day
Bank account	1–2 days

Total: 1–3 weeks

With preparation: 3–5 business days

Common Mistakes

· Documents without translation

· No local registration (residence)

· Foreign director without work permit

· Delayed capital contribution

· Wrong business structure

What Happens After Registration

You must:

· choose tax regime

· open bank account

· register lease agreement

· obtain company EDS

· set up accounting

· obtain work permits (if needed)

How UZ2B Helps

We provide full business setup services for foreign entrepreneurs:

· business structure consulting

· document preparation

· PINFL & EDS

· legal address

· company registration

· bank account opening

· full legal support

Languages:

· Russian

· English

· Turkish

· Hindi

Get a free consultation → [link]

FAQ

Can I register remotely? Yes, with a notarized power of attorney.

Do I need a local partner? No, 100% foreign ownership is allowed.

LLC vs Sole Proprietorship? LLC limits liability and has no activity restrictions.

Which documents require translation? Only non-Russian / non-Uzbek documents.

Author: Jamshid Musakulov
Co-Founder, UZ2B — Business Registration & Consulting in Uzbekistan
Updated: May 2026 | uz2b.uz