Short answer. A foreign citizen or company can register a business in Uzbekistan and own it 100%, with no requirement for local shareholders. Registration itself is done online and is quick, but foreigners need more preparation than local founders: a PINFL (personal identification number) and an electronic digital signature, legalised and translated documents, and, for an enterprise with foreign investment, a minimum charter capital. Below is the process step by step.
Can a foreigner own a company in Uzbekistan?
Yes. Foreign individuals and legal entities can establish a limited liability company with 100% foreign ownership, set up a joint venture with local partners, or open a representative office or branch of a foreign company. Foreign-owned companies also work in the IT sector, including as IT Park residents. The choice of structure affects taxation, liability and how the business can grow, so it is worth deciding before preparing documents.
Which legal form to choose
| Form | Who it suits | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Limited liability company (LLC, MChJ) | Most foreign investors | Participants are liable within their shares; one or several founders; can be 100% foreign-owned |
| Joint venture | Foreign and local partners | An LLC with foreign and Uzbek participants |
| Representative office or branch | Foreign companies testing the market or supporting local clients | Requires accreditation of the foreign company's office |
Charter capital
For an ordinary LLC the law does not set a minimum charter capital - founders decide it themselves. Different rules apply to enterprises with foreign investment: their charter capital must be at least UZS 400 million (at least UZS 200 million in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and Khorezm region). Contributions can be made in money, property or property rights within the period set by law after registration.
Documents you will need
- the company charter and the founders' decision or minutes;
- confirmation of the legal address - a lease agreement or a letter from the owner;
- for foreign individuals: passport, notarised translation and a PINFL;
- for foreign legal entities: an extract from the commercial register and the charter, legalised or apostilled and translated;
- details of the director and the planned types of activity.
The exact list depends on the founders and the business, so confirm it before submission - missing or incorrectly legalised documents are the most common reason for delays.
Step 1. Obtain a PINFL and a digital signature
A PINFL is a personal identification number used in Uzbekistan for banking, government services and business registration. Foreign founders and non-resident directors usually need one, as well as an electronic digital signature (E-IMZO) to sign the online application. Plan this first: obtaining a PINFL and a digital signature can take up to 1-3 weeks. LAWTAX provides PINFL support for non-residents.
Step 2. Prepare the founding documents
Choose the company name, types of activity and legal address, then prepare the charter and the founders' decision. If a foreign company is a founder, its documents must be legalised or apostilled and translated.
Step 3. Submit the application online
The application is filed through the state services portals my.gov.uz or birdarcha.uz and signed with the digital signature. The state fee is 1 base calculation amount, with a discount for online filing. After the check the company is entered in the state register, and the registration documents appear in the personal account - registration itself usually takes about one working day.
Step 4. After registration
- open a settlement account and, if needed, a foreign currency account;
- obtain a digital signature for the company to file reports;
- get a licence or permit if the activity requires one;
- choose the tax regime and set up accounting from the first month.
Taxes and accounting for a new foreign-owned company
From the first month the company has to keep accounting records and file tax reports, even if it has no revenue yet. Most companies deal with profit tax or turnover tax, VAT (the standard rate is 12%), payroll-related taxes and statistical reporting. The choice of tax regime depends on turnover and activity and affects the overall tax burden, so it is best decided together with the registration. Foreign shareholders also usually need reporting they can understand - in English and, if required, under international standards. Setting up accounting immediately avoids penalties for missed first filings and gives the owners a clear picture of the company's finances.
Common mistakes
- leaving the PINFL and digital signature until the last moment;
- incorrect legalisation or translation of foreign documents;
- wrongly chosen types of activity, which later require re-registration;
- no plan for accounting and tax filings after registration.
How LAWTAX helps
We provide company registration for foreign citizens as a turnkey service: advice on the structure, preparation of documents, state registration, bank account and digital signature, and support after registration. Our company registration and corporate support team also handles changes of founders, re-registration and liquidation, while our accounting and tax services keep the new company compliant. We work in English, Russian and Uzbek, in Tashkent and remotely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreigner register a company in Uzbekistan?
Yes. Foreign citizens and companies can register a business in Uzbekistan, including an LLC with 100% foreign ownership, without local shareholders.
Do I need a PINFL to register a company?
Foreign founders and non-resident directors usually need a PINFL and an electronic digital signature to sign the online application. Obtaining them can take up to 1-3 weeks.
What is the minimum charter capital for a foreign-owned company?
For an ordinary LLC there is no legal minimum. An enterprise with foreign investment needs at least UZS 400 million (UZS 200 million in Karakalpakstan and Khorezm region).
How long does registration take?
The registration itself is done online and usually takes about one working day after filing and payment. Preparation of a PINFL, digital signature and legalised documents takes longer.
Can I register a company remotely?
Much of the preparation can be done remotely with a representative. LAWTAX prepares the documents, supports the PINFL and digital signature procedures and files the application.
What should be done right after registration?
Open bank accounts, obtain a digital signature for reporting, get any required licences and set up accounting and tax filings from the first month.