Insights
Start a Business in Uzbekistan: Practical 7-Step Guide (2026)
Insights · By YuDing Wang · Updated 1 November 2026
Foreign investors can set up a limited liability company (LLC), a joint stock company (JSC), a company with 100% foreign ownership or a joint venture in Uzbekistan, or open a representative office. Registration can be done online or at a Public Services Centre once the founders have personal identification numbers. These are the steps in order, with the decisions that matter, and what to do if you want to hire before you have a company.
Last reviewed in October 2026 against Invest Uzbekistan’s investor guidance. General information, not legal or tax advice.
Step 1: Choose the structure
| Form | What it suits | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Limited liability company (LLC) | Most small and mid-sized operations | Separate legal entity; the usual choice for a first trading company |
| Joint stock company (JSC) | Larger ventures and outside investors | Separate legal entity with shares; more governance and reporting |
| Company with 100% foreign ownership or joint venture | Investors who want sole control, or a local partner | Ownership terms of an LLC or JSC; a joint venture is about who owns it, not a separate company form |
| Representative office | Market research and representing the parent | Generally not set up to trade; check the permitted scope before you rely on it |
Some activities need a licence or permit in addition to registration. Source: Invest Uzbekistan: investor FAQ.
Step 2: Get personal identification numbers for foreign founders
Foreign founders and directors need a personal identification number (PINFL). It is issued at a Public Services Centre free of charge, usually within 2 to 4 working days. Prepare passport copies and, for a corporate founder, its registration documents and a resolution to invest, translated and legalised as required.
Step 3: Reserve the name and register the company
Reserve the company name, then register online through the Ministry of Justice’s Birdarcha system or at a Public Services Centre. Invest Uzbekistan notes that online LLC registration usually takes 1 to 3 days once the documents are complete. Preparing and legalising foreign documents usually takes longer than registration itself.
Step 4: Complete tax registration
Confirm the company’s tax registration and choose the tax regime that fits the business. Appoint an accountant for monthly and annual filings. If you plan to employ people, register as an employer for social tax and income tax withholding.
Step 5: Open a bank account
Open a corporate account with a local bank, which will carry out its own checks on the founders and directors. Plan the account for payroll too: salaries are paid in som, at least twice a month.
Step 6: Get any licences and set up as an employer
Apply for any licence your activity needs. Before the first hire, set up payroll: written employment contracts registered in the national labour system, 12% income tax withheld and 12% social tax paid every month. A Uzbekistan payroll service can run this for you, and our Uzbekistan salary and employer cost calculator shows the cost of a role.
Step 7: Hire your team
With the company in place, you employ staff directly under the Labour Code. Contracts are in writing and registered, probation is up to three months and annual leave is at least 21 calendar days. Foreign nationals normally need confirmation of the right to work; see Hire Foreign Employees in Uzbekistan. Our guide to hiring employees in Uzbekistan covers each step.
Not ready to set up a company?
You can test the market first. Common options are selling from abroad through a distributor or agent, opening a representative office for non-trading activities, or having people in Uzbekistan employed by a local employer while you decide.
Set up and employ directly
Your own company, with payroll and filings run for you. Uzbekistan payroll
Employ before you incorporate
A local employer employs your hire under an arrangement confirmed for the role. Employer of Record in Uzbekistan
Bring in a foreign national
Right-to-work routes and what to prepare. Hire Foreign Employees in Uzbekistan
Questions about starting a business in Uzbekistan
Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Uzbekistan?
Yes. Companies with 100% foreign ownership are one of the forms available to foreign investors. Some regulated sectors have their own rules.
Which company type is best for a small foreign business?
Most choose an LLC: it is a separate legal entity with simpler governance than a JSC. A JSC suits larger ventures or outside investors.
How long does company registration take in Uzbekistan?
Invest Uzbekistan notes that online LLC registration usually takes 1 to 3 days once the documents are complete, after the founders have their PINFL. Preparing foreign documents usually takes longer.
Can a representative office hire staff and sign customer contracts?
A representative office can have staff for its representative functions, but it is generally not set up to trade. Check its permitted scope before planning sales through it.
Can I hire in Uzbekistan before my company is registered?
Yes, through a local employer such as an employer of record. When your company is ready, the employment can move to it with the employee’s agreement.
Hiring in Uzbekistan before or after you incorporate?
Tell us about the roles and your timeline. We will confirm which route fits and send a written proposal. We will respond within 24 hours.
Related
The steps from choosing the employer to the first payday.
Social tax, income tax and worked examples.
Payroll and filings for your Uzbek company.
Sources: Invest Uzbekistan: investor FAQ; Labour Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (LexUZ); Tax Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (LexUZ); Public service: confirmation of the right to work for foreign citizens. Reviewed October 2026; general information, not legal or tax advice.