How to open a business in Qatar?
Prior to the engagement, it is essential for you to understand how to open a business in Qatar. Tetra Consultants will assist you with Qatar company incorporation and ensuring that your company is legally compliant in Qatar.
Depending on the type of business entity, Qatar company incorporation is usually completed within 8 weeks upon submission of the required due diligence documents. Thereafter, Tetra Consultants will open your Qatar corporate bank account within 4 weeks after Qatar company incorporation.
Contact us to find out more about how to open a business in Qatar. Our team of experts will revert within the next 24 hours.
In essence, your engagement will be broken down into 4 phases:
- Planning and strategy
- Incorporate
- Bank account opening
Step 1: Planning and strategy
- The first step to determine how to open a business in Qatar is to choose the most suitable type of business entity. Depending on your business activities and objectives, Tetra Consultants will recommend the most optimum type of company. The most common type of company is the Qatar limited liability company but you are required to have a foreign shareholder.
- Once we agree on the type of company, Tetra Consultants will advise on the optimum paid-up share capital, regulatory requirements and whether there is a need for licenses for the intended business activity.
- There are three primary, essential and mandatory documents to attain, including a Commercial Residence, Trade License and Computer Card. With the help of Tetra Consultants, our team will help investors swiftly secure the documents as mentioned above, relieving the hassle off you and ensuring smooth incorporation into Qatar.
Step 2: Incorporation
Trade Name
- Once you are clear on how to open a business in Qatar, Tetra Consultants will proceed to reserve your preferred company name with the Qatar Ministry of Commerce and Industry. In most cases, the name reservation will be valid up to a period of six months.
Articles of Incorporation
- Tetra Consultants’ legal team will draft the Articles of Incorporation of your new Qatar company as per the requirements set out by the Qatar Ministry of Business and Trade Office. The Articles of Incorporation will consist but not limited to the following details:
- Address of company building.
- Outline and description of business activities to be carried out under the company’s name.
- Restrictions on the transfer of the company’s shares.
- Personal identification of each respective authorized shareholder.
- Methods of distribution of losses and profits between business partners.
- Once the Articles of Incorporation is completed, Tetra Consultants will submit the same to the Qatar Ministry of Business and Trade.
Commercial Residence
- The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) issues a Commercial Residence. Tetra Consultants submits the Articles of Incorporation to the MEC to procure the necessary Commercial Residence on behalf of you.
- Upon submission of the necessary information and documents, foreign investors will be required to define the scope of business activities to be carried out under the newly incorporated company. The CR is only valid for one year, and an annual renewal online is needed. With a CR, business owners can open a corporate bank account and manage assets under the company’s name.
Trade License issued by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC)
- A Trade License is necessary for new business owners to own office space and carry out business activities approved by the MEC under the company’s name. Trade License application is the most often time-consuming and challenging. The submission of the following documents and forms to the MEC is essential.
- A copy of personal identification of each respective authorized personnel in the company.
- A copy of Commercial Residence.
- A copy of Articles of Incorporation.
- A photograph of the exterior of suitable office space.
- A photograph of the interior of suitable office space with proper business signage.
- A copy of building completion certification.
- A copy of the personal identification of the building owner
- Rental acknowledgment
- Following the submission of the relevant documents, MEC will schedule an appointment to inspect the office space. Assuming that everything goes well during the inspection, you can collect your Trade License soon after.
Computer Card issued by immigration (Required to hire full-time employees)
- Registering for a Computer Card is crucial as it enables business owners to hire employees and issue Residence Permits. A Computer Card indicates the signing authority representing the company. New business owners can submit the following mandatory documents to Qatar Immigration and Passport Control Office.
- A copy of Commercial Residence.
- A copy of Trade License issued by MEC.
- A copy of personal identification of each respective authorized personnel in the company.
- A copy of personal identification of individuals to be included in the computer card.
- Official company stamp
- Upon successful Qatar company incorporation, Tetra Consultants will immediately courier the Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum & Articles of Association and other corporate documents to your preferred address. After that, Tetra Consultants will open a corporate bank account for your newly incorporated Qatar company.
- Depending on your business goals and objectives, Tetra Consultants can assist in opening a corporate bank account with a local Qatari bank or with an overseas global bank. On average, the corporate bank account will be opened within 4 weeks after company incorporation. Following that, Tetra Consultants will courier the internet banking token and access codes to your preferred addresses.
Step 3: Bank Account Opening
- Tetra Consultants will assist you with your Qatar corporate bank account opening after successful Qatar company incorporation. Over the years, Tetra Consultants has established a working relationships with multiple reputable banks in Qatar.
- Foreign investors and business owners seeking to open a Qatar corporate bank account under the newly incorporated jurisdiction in Qatar have a plethora of reputable banks to choose from. There are a total of 18 licensed banks in the State of Qatar with established banks such as the Qatar Islamic Bank, Qatar National Bank and the Commercial Bank of Qatar.
- Tetra Consultants’ banking team will accompany you to ensure a fuss-free, effortless process with no communication barrier. Tetra Consultants will prepare a comprehensive business proposal with the necessary documents and present it to the bank of choice. The following requirements have to be submitted to the bank of choice:
- Bank application form
- An original copy of Articles of Incorporation
- Company Trade License
- Company Computer Card
- Personal identification and passports of each respective authorized business partners in the company
- Authorized signatures of respective authorized business partners in the company
- A Company headed authorization letter stating the rights in account management, signed by a list of authorized business partners
- The corporate bank account opening procedure is usually direct and straightforward. Coupled with the preparation of a business proposal and required due diligence documents, Tetra Consultants expects the whole process to be quick. On average, Tetra Consultants expects the corporate bank account to be opened within 4 weeks. Thereafter, you can expect to receive the internet banking token within the next 2 weeks.
Contact us to find out more about how to open a business in Qatar. Our team of experts will revert within the next 24 hours.
FAQ
Why should I invest in Qatar?
- Qatar, with its goal to accomplish the National vision 2030 and its recent reformation of foreign investment law in 2019, has eased the restriction on foreign investments to attract foreign direct investments. Wherein, now the foreign investors will be allowed to have 100% ownership of the business except in the sector of banking, insurance, and commercial agencies.
- Moreover, Qatar is ranked third globally by World Bank’s 2020 Doing Business Report for its favorable and uncomplicated tax regime, charging 10% for corporate tax. We at Tetra Consultants with a team of experts can help you understand the tax system of Qatar.
How long does it take to set up a company in Qatar?
- Tetra Consultants will complete the process of registering a company in Qatar within 8 weeks.
What is the most popular business entity for foreign investors here?
- The limited liability company (LLC) is the most common type of business entity formed by foreign investors in Qatar since it requires a relatively nominal amount of capital and can be incorporated smoothly with minimal formation requirements.
- However, in order to incorporate the particular kind of business, a foreign entrepreneur needs to engage one or more local partners who can operate as the majority shareholder. We at Tetra Consultants can help you with business setup in Qatar.
What is the minimum number of requirements concerning directors/shareholders of a Qatar LLC?
- To incorporate a Limited Liability Company form of entity in Qatar, there is a requirement of 1 director and 2 shareholders to start the business.
How much does it cost to open a company in Qatar?
- Depending on the services you need from Tetra Consultants, the total engagement fee will differ. Our services include planning and strategizing with your company, assisting you in the incorporation process, ensuring that you are compliant, and more.
- This total fee includes the registration fee charged by the Qatar government.
Is a Qatar company required to file for annual tax returns?
- Yes, A Qatar LLC is required to submit an annual tax return. If the annual taxable income of the entity exceeds QAR100,000 (US$27,000) the declaration should be accompanied by audited financial statements prepared by an auditor registered in Qatar. Except otherwise approved by the tax authorities, the taxpayer shall preserve accounting data in Qatari Riyals.
Are there any restrictions on ownership of a Qatar company?
- Yes, The Ministry of business and trade under the Foreign Investment Law of Qatar has restricted the foreign Investment to maximum equity participation of 49% in Qatar LLC. However, with the amendment made in the law, from the year 2010, foreign investors can own 100% equity for specific businesses like healthcare, tourism, education, agriculture, and others.
What are the documents required for the incorporation of a company in Qatar?
- To proceed with company registration in Qatar, for a start, you are required to provide the notarized passport copy, proof of address, CV, and proof of income of the individual director and shareholder of the Qatar company which will be notarized and attested by a Qatari Embassy.
- If the shareholder is another entity, we will require the Certificate of Incorporation and Memorandum and Articles of Association of the corporate shareholder.
- Once Tetra Consultants receives the above, we will review the documents and provide you with an updated due diligence checklist with the list of outstanding documents.