New special regime “Business entry without a license” in the Republic of Uzbekistan

KEY FEATURES OF THE “BUSINESS ENTRY WITHOUT A LICENSE” SPECIAL REGIME

Under the special regime, the Law grants an applicant — an individual or legal entity that has applied for a license or permit — the right to carry out a licensable activity or an activity (action) requiring a permit without first obtaining the relevant license or permit.

The special regime applies provided that the applicant first notifies the authorized body, on a free of charge basis, of the commencement of the relevant activity through the dedicated electronic system or the Unified Portal of Interactive Public Services (UPIPS).

The special regime “Business entry without a license” applies for three months.

During this period, the applicant is not held liable for carrying out the relevant activity (action) without a license or permit.

It should be noted, however, that during the term of the special regime the applicant is required to take steps to ensure that its activity complies with the applicable licensing or permitting requirements and criteria and to obtain the relevant license or permit in accordance with the established procedure, or otherwise cease that activity.

The list of licensable activities and activities requiring a permit, to which the special regime “Business entry without a license” will apply, is to be defined in regulations on the licensing procedure for specific types of activity and on permitting procedures, subject to approval by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as in their passports.


PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The new regime allows businesses to begin operating in licensable sectors or sectors requiring a permit immediately upon notification, without waiting for the licensing or permitting procedure to be completed, which significantly reduces time to market. The obligation to obtain a license or permit is not removed — it is merely deferred for three months during which the applicant bears no liability for the absence of the required license or permit. The specific list of activities covered by the regime is to be defined by separate orders of the Cabinet of Ministers.