Uzbekistan lets businesses operate for three months without licences

Uzbekistan will allow eligible businesses to operate for up to three months without a licence or permit under a new regime aimed at cutting barriers to market entry and attracting investment.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the law on 13 August. The new regime, known as “Business Entry Without a Licence”, allows entrepreneurs to begin activities that would normally require a licence or other permit by notifying the relevant government authority through the Unified Portal of Interactive Public Services or the electronic “Licensing” system.

Three months to meet requirements

The special regime will remain in effect for three months. During this period, businesses will not be held liable for operating without the relevant licence or permit.

The temporary period is intended to give companies time to bring their activities into compliance with licensing requirements and complete the necessary procedures.

At the end of the three-month period, businesses must either obtain the required licence or permit or stop operating in the relevant sector.

The measure could particularly benefit entrepreneurs and investors seeking to test new business models before committing significant resources to a fully licensed operation.

It could allow companies to assess market demand and commercial viability while reducing the initial administrative and financial costs of entering the market.

The legislation was approved by the Legislative Chamber in March and by the Senate on 8 August.

International expertise

Uzbekistan’s new regime follows a broader international trend towards more flexible approaches to business regulation. Similar mechanisms exist in countries such as the UK, Singapore and Rwanda, although their scope differs.

In the UK, temporary exemptions can allow certain businesses to operate without a standard licence for a limited period, while the Financial Conduct Authority’s Regulatory Sandbox allows eligible firms to test innovative financial products and business models in a controlled live environment.

Singapore’s Monetary Authority operates regulatory sandboxes that allow financial companies to test innovative services before fully complying with the applicable regulatory framework. Rwanda has adopted a similar sandbox approach for fintech companies.

Uzbekistan’s model differs because it is not limited to financial technology. The three-month regime can apply to certain activities requiring licences or permits, enabling eligible businesses to start operating while working towards full compliance.

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Part of wider business reforms

The new regime forms part of Uzbekistan’s broader efforts to simplify regulation and make it easier to establish and expand businesses.

During an open dialogue with the business community in August 2025, Mirziyoyev announced plans to abolish 10 types of licences and permits, including requirements affecting audit organisations and vehicle technical inspections.

In November 2025, the president also issued a decree introducing the principle of “Starting a business in 15 minutes”. The reforms included plans for a voluntary preliminary assessment of businesses before they submit applications for licences.

The latest legislation takes that approach further, allowing eligible businesses to start operating before completing the full licensing process.

The changes could make Uzbekistan more attractive to domestic entrepreneurs and foreign investors by cutting the time and administrative burden involved in launching projects. Businesses would still have to meet sector-specific regulatory standards to continue operating beyond the three-month period.

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Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev Business Business Reforms Investors