The establishment of a company In Qatar involves a number of steps and requires registration/approval with multiple government agencies. Most of the steps can be completed at the one-stop-shop counter at Qatar's Ministry of Business and Trade.

The following outlines the steps and documentation requirements for establishment:

Apply for and reserve a unique company name (Arabic or non-Arabic) at the Ministry of Business and Trade - the application can be done online;
Submit the company's articles of association (must be in Arabic) to the Commercial Companies Inspection Department at the Ministry of Business and Trade for review and approval - after approval a bank deposit certificate will be issued;
Open bank account and deposit minimum capital - bank deposit certificate required;
Authentic and sign the articles of association before the notary of the Ministry of Justice. All signatories must be present before the notary and the articles must include the following information:

the name of the company;
location of the company's head office;
purpose/objectives of the company;
the duration of the company;
the amount of start-up capital and how it has been subscribed;
share transfer restrictions;
names of all shareholders, including the following documents for legal entity shareholders:

duly legalized and authenticated resolution approving the incorporation of the company and appointment of a representative to sign the new company's articles of association;
duly legalized and authenticated Certificate of Incorporation or equivalent document;
duly legalized and authenticated articles of association of the shareholder; and
a copy of the representatives’ passport.

details of how profits and losses will be distributed;
the names of the company's management; and
the company's capital structure;

Register the company with the Commercial Registry by submitting the following documents:

completed application form;
copy of the memorandum and articles of association;
copy of receipt confirming payment of review fees;
copy of certificate of capital deposit from the bank; and
copies of shareholder's IDs, passports, etc.

Register with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry by submitting the following documents:

completed application form;
the Chambers of Commerce authorized signatories form;
copies of authorized signatories ID's; and
the original articles of association and approved draft.

After company registration is complete, the following steps must be taken:

Apply for a trade license and signage license from the Municipality of DOHA;
Register for taxes with the Tax Department of the Ministry of Finance and obtain a tax identification number; and
Make a company seal.

The entire registration process can be completed in as little as 7 days, excluding documentation preparation time.

Powerful Tax Solutions

Tax Rules Engine

Collaboration Tools

Latest Tax News