New businesses can work licence-free in Uzbekistan for 3 months
Uzbekistan is giving some entrepreneurs more breathing room at launch, allowing them to start operating for up to three months before completing the licensing process. The change is part of a broader effort to reduce bureaucracy and lower the cost of starting a business.
Under the new regime, businesses will be able to start work after notifying the relevant authority, rather than waiting for all the licences or permits to be issued. The notification can be submitted through Uzbekistan’s e-gov portal or the electronic Licence system.
Businesses will not be penalised for operating without a required licence or permit during the three-month period. They will still have to obtain the required paperwork before the grace period expires — or cease the regulated activity.
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The idea is to give entrepreneurs a chance to test whether a business works commercially before they commit more time and money to formal licencing. Senators said the scheme should make it easier to enter the market and reduce the cost of administrative procedures.
Three-month test run for new businesses
The change in licencing is one of the measures for simplification of the process of starting and operating a company in Uzbekistan. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced plans in 2025 to eliminate 10 types of licences, and a later decree introduced the principle of «Start a business in 15 minutes» for company registration.
Businesses themselves seem to be noticing some improvement. In a Central Bank survey for the second quarter of 2026, 64% of entrepreneurs said business conditions had improved, compared with 61% a year earlier.
In particular, respondents highlighted better banking services, easier licensing and improved roads but registered less progress on monopolies, energy supply and customs tariffs.
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