COMPANY REGISTRATION IN QATAR
Qatar is an attractive jurisdiction for doing business, particularly in light of its drive to diversify its economy under Qatar National Vision 2030.
- No VAT (as of 2025) and low corporate tax (10% standard, but exceptions are possible). Full tax exemption in Free Economic Zones (up to 20 years).
100% foreign ownership is permitted in many sectors, especially in special zones (e.g. Qatar Free Zones).
Developed infrastructure (Hamad Port, Hamad Airport, technology parks and business centres). Political stability and high level of security. Access to Gulf markets (GCC) — Qatar is a member of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.
MAIN FORMS OF COMPANIES
- LLC (Limited Liability Company): requires at least one founder. Usually, a local partner (51%) is required, but there are exceptions.
- Branch (branch of a foreign company): may conduct the same activities as the head office.
Representative Office: is not authorised to engage in commercial activities, only to represent interests.
- Company in a Free Economic Zone (QFZ or QSTP): allows 100% foreign ownership, tax incentives, simplified registration.
Qatar Free Economic Zones
Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) – An area focusing on logistics, technology, industrial and service companies.
Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) – for IT, R&D, and technology companies.
Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) – For financial, consulting, and legal firms. Allows you to work outside the free zone, but with advantages.
WHO CAN BE A DIRECTOR / GENERAL MANAGER / CEO
Qatari citizen: no restrictions. Often acts as a nominal partner or GM in mainland companies.
Qatar resident (with residence permit): a residence permit is required, usually based on a work visa or investor visa.
Foreigners without a residence permit: only after obtaining a resident visa. Without it, you cannot manage/sign documents.
Get a free consultation.
COMPANY ESTABLISHMENT PROCEDURE
- To register the company and issue its documents, we will need to appoint an authorised manager who already has a Qatari identity card. This is a temporary measure necessary for the issuance of new documents. Otherwise, since the owner/manager does not have a Qatari identity card, the process will take a long time and may be rejected. In this regard, the owner must issue a power of attorney to the temporarily appointed manager. After completing all the documents for the company, we will apply for a manager’s visa, and as soon as the Qatari identity card is ready, we will amend the company’s documents to remove our manager and replace him with the appointed manager.
- The process of establishing a new company with 100% foreign ownership will be as follows:
- We will assist you in completing the necessary applications and submitting them to the relevant ministries;
- The Qatar Investment Centre will review and evaluate the applications, after which we will monitor their progress;
- If approved, a trade registration will be issued; if rejected, we can file an appeal;
- We will issue a certificate and membership card for the Qatar Chamber of Commerce;
- We will issue a permanent tax card;
- We will issue a municipality licence (which will require a legal address in Qatar);
- We will issue a computer card;
- We will submit the company’s documents to the Ministry of Labour.
- We will register the company in the customs “single window” system, if necessary.
- We will help you open a corporate bank account for your registered company.
- We will apply for the first work visa and issue a Qatari ID card for the manager.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR COMPANY REGISTRATION
For companies:
- Copies of the memorandum of association, articles of association and commercial register (if the company operates outside Qatar);
- Copy of the passport/Qatari identity card of the authorised representative;
- Decision of the shareholder/board of directors;
- Power of attorney for the authorised representative to act on behalf of your company;
- Financial forecast for the first 3 years.
All company documents must be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Qatari embassy in your country. In Qatar, originals will be required for certification by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For individuals
- Copy of passport/copy of identity card;
- Power of attorney for an authorised representative acting on your behalf in all procedures related to the establishment of the company;
- Power of attorney for a temporary manager.
- IMPORTANT:You must provide us with the following information, as we need to include it in the form required for company registration:
- Company capital — the required amount of capital will vary for each bank in Qatar. We work primarily with QNB, and the minimum capital is 30,000 Qatari riyals;
- Chosen company name;
- Financial forecast for the next 3 years (specify for each year), which must include:
REQUIRED INFORMATION FIRST YEAR SECOND YEAR THIRD YEAR 1. Sales revenue 2. Cost of goods sold 3. Operating expenses 4. Planned number of employees for the next 3 years The annual income tax for the company will be 10% of its profits.
The time required to establish the company will be 3–4 weeks, depending on when we receive the necessary documents and permits from the Ministry.
Get a free consultation.
WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
- Account registration is twice as fast
Individual analysis of high-risk cases
- Increased likelihood of account approval
- Support at every stage
OUR TEAM
Yevhen Sarafanov
Owner and CEO LOCMAN ICS LTD
Ludmila Chilik
Corporate and tax lawyer (Europe, USA, East Asia, UAE)