Company Registration in Uzbekistan: LLC, Branch or Representative Office?
Chinese companies entering Uzbekistan usually choose between three structures: a limited liability company (LLC), a branch of a foreign company and a representative office. Choosing the wrong one affects contracts, invoicing and hiring later, so it pays to get this first step right.
The three structures compared
| LLC | Branch | Representative office | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Independent Uzbek legal entity | Division of the foreign company, not a separate legal entity | Division of the foreign company, not a separate legal entity |
| Can it trade for profit | Yes | Yes, assessed case by case | No; liaison, research and representing the parent company only |
| Who is liable | Shareholders, up to their contribution | The foreign parent company | The foreign parent company |
| Best for | Most trading, manufacturing and service businesses | A parent company carrying out projects in Uzbekistan directly | Exploring the market, maintaining client relationships |
Limited liability company
This is the most common structure for foreign investors in Uzbekistan. A foreign individual or a foreign company can be the sole shareholder with 100% ownership. The company can sign contracts, issue invoices, hire employees and import and export goods.
To register, you need: a company name, legal address, charter, shareholder documents and the director’s appointment documents.
The new Law on Limited Liability Companies, in force since 22 July 2026, sets no general minimum charter capital; only licensed activities have their own requirements. The capital must be paid in within the period set in the charter, and no later than one year after registration. To qualify as an “enterprise with foreign investment” (for example, so that the foreign founder is exempt from a work permit for the first three months), the foreign share generally has to be at least 15% and the charter capital at least UZS 400 million; the rules in force at the time of filing apply.
Branch
A branch is a division of a foreign company in Uzbekistan. It is not a separate legal entity, and the parent company is liable for it. It suits a parent company that carries out projects locally itself. Registration, tax treatment and staffing are more complicated for a branch than for an LLC, so branches are less common in practice; whether one fits depends on the parent company and the project.
Representative office
A representative office does not conduct commercial activity. It is used mainly for market research, client liaison and representing the parent company at events. It must be accredited with the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan: you can apply through a Public Services Centre or online at my.gov.uz, and the review takes about 5 working days. Accreditation is granted for 1 to 3 years and can be extended before it expires.
Documents for foreign shareholders
- Foreign corporate shareholder: the business licence and other corporate documents, a board or shareholders’ resolution to set up the company, and a power of attorney. The documents must be apostilled in China, then translated into Uzbek or Russian and notarised in Uzbekistan.
- Foreign individual shareholder: a valid passport and its translation.
How to choose
- To sign contracts, issue invoices, hire staff and earn money locally: choose an LLC.
- If the parent company will carry out projects locally and wants to sign contracts itself: consider a branch.
- If you only want to explore the market for now, without trading: consider a representative office.
Not sure which fits? Send me your business plan, and I will compare the options and give you a recommendation.
