Company Registration in Qatar

Qatar is one of the richest states in the Arabian Peninsula. The jurisdiction is commonly known for its oil and gas deposits and petroleum industry. But, it has also made numerous steps to diversify the economy a lot. Service, manufacturing, and financial sectors have rapid and steady temps of growth. The infrastructure is splendid in this state. Therefore, founding a company in Doha or any other city in this state may simultaneously open the next advantages to a non-resident investor.

Qatar Company Registration PROs

The things that any foreign investor should know before buying an existing or launching a new company registration in Qatar are the next ones:

• openness to foreign investments;
• straightforward process of business incorporation and its next support;
• skilled and qualified manpower;
• high level of protection for assets and intellectual property;
• 4 tax regimes available (general, for the financial sector, technologies, and free trade zones);
• high standards of banking;
• multiple free trade and double-tax treaties signed with other states.

Legal and Organizational Forms in Qatar

If you intend to incorporate in Qatar a new business or formalize your official presence in an alternative way, these options are available for your choice:

• Limited liability company – an option suitable for most businessmen who don’t plan to trade their shares publicly. This legal form envisages the limited liability of each shareholder over all the results and debts of a company – within the invested funds solely. At least 1 promoter is needed for this entity. Minimum thresholds for a starting capital may be established in specific industries.
• Branch – an option for a non-resident enterprise that is designated to handle entrepreneurial activities without registering a separate entity. It is chosen mainly to arrange more effective relations with the local partners and customers in a more straightforward way. 100% liability over the debts and obligations of a branch bears its mother company.
• Representative office – this option will not allow a foreign company to do business in Qatar but it will enable it to carry out research and promotional activities before entering the local market. 100% liability over the debts and obligations of a representative office bears its parent company.

Steps to Pass and Create a Company in Qatar

Formally, the process of company incorporation in Qatar covers the next stages to pass:

1. Completing the scope of pre-registration arrangements:
   • Defining the set of commercial activities that a future Qatari company will carry out.
   • Choosing and verifying a trading name for a future enterprise.
   • Arranging office premises that will serve as an official address for a company.
   • Collecting and formalizing all expected details about the founders, management, final beneficiaries, and a mother company (if any). Most of these details will be publicly available.
   • Drafting the Memorandum and Articles of Association, minutes, and completing application forms.
   • Getting approval from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
2. Paying incorporation fees and submitting the set of registration documents for consideration. Getting a business license and the Certificate of Incorporation.
3. Formalizing a new company for the purposes of paying taxes and compulsory social security payments.
4. Formalizing a seal for a new company.
5. Opening corporate bank accounts.

Legal and Regulatory Peculiarities in Qatar

The company setup in Qatar is a straightforward and transparent but a bit time-consuming process. Foreign investors have to deal with the local authorities more closely compared to locals. For instance, investors have to develop a precise business plan and get approval from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Qatar. Formally, there are no statutory demands for a starting share capital but it should be appropriate to the business activities chosen by a foreign investor. Specific thresholds may be also applicable in certain industries and extra licenses/permits have to be obtained as well. Some industries that have a strategic impact on the local economy are closed to non-resident investors, in some of them foreigners may own up to 49%.

It may appear to be a bit difficult to register a company in Qatar. However, practically, this is a more beneficial option to register a company in this state. Prifinance attorneys are ready to help you with tackling all possible bureaucratic formalities that are foreseen in the legislation.

Taxation in Qatar

Any starting decision to buy or open a company in Qatar should be assessed along with the next tax points:

• Profit tax (for business forms) – (1) standard rate – 10% (2) for petroleum and petrochemical companies – 35%
• Income tax (for individuals) – not applicable
• Value-added tax – not applicable
• Withholding tax (for non-residents) – (1) dividends – 0% (2) interests – 5% (3) royalties – 5%
• Capital gains tax – (1) for business – see profit tax (2) for individuals – not applicable.

How Prifinance Attorneys Can Promote Your Project

If you have decided to create or buy a company in Qatar, Prifinance attorneys are prepared to boost the easiest and the most effective realization of this goal. Among others, experts are ready to offer the most suitable legal and organizational form of doing business in your specific case, draft and execute all types of documents needed, and support the application process at each and every stage. Communicate the details and obtain personalized registration support. Realize your business goals with experts who have completed 11 000+ cases worldwide, including in Qatar.