How to Set Up a Company in Qatar as a Foreigner (2026)

Qatar's two-track foreign investment system

Qatar presents two distinct options for foreign companies:

Track 1 — Standard Qatari LLC (via MOCI): Regulated by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Standard company law applies. Traditionally required a Qatari national partner holding 51% — though reforms have progressively expanded sectors where 100% foreign ownership is permitted. Minimum capital: QAR 200,000.

Track 2 — Qatar Financial Centre (QFC): A separate legal and regulatory environment established in 2005. The QFC has its own company law (QFC Authority), its own civil and commercial courts (QFC Regulatory Tribunal), its own tax regime, and its own regulatory authority (QFCA and QFCRA).

• QFC advantages:
• 100% foreign ownership permitted (no Qatari partner required)
• No minimum share capital
• 0% CT for qualifying business activities: QFC-licensed companies engaged in certain financial services, professional services, and headquarters activities pay 0% CT (the QFC normally imposes 10% CT, but qualifying activities are exempt or zero-rated)
• 5% CT on locally-sourced non-financial income
• English common law governs QFC company operations
• QFC Civil & Commercial Court operates in English

QFC is not suitable for all business types: Retail trading, manufacturing, and construction are generally excluded from QFC licensing.

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Standard Qatar LLC — formation

For businesses needing a standard Qatari presence:

1. Obtain approval from the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (IPA Qatar) or relevant sectoral ministry 2. Reserve company name via MOCI online portal (invest.gov.qa) 3. Draft Articles of Association (in Arabic; or bilingual) 4. Deposit minimum capital (QAR 200,000) in a Qatari bank 5. Register with MOCI's Commercial Registration Department 6. Register with Qatar Tax Authority for CT and VAT (VAT registration required for taxable turnover above QAR 365,000)

Timeline: 5–15 business days for straightforward applications

Banking: Qatar National Bank (QNB), Commercial Bank of Qatar, Doha Bank, Qatar Islamic Bank. Traditional banking; in-person process required; 2–6 week timeline.

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QFC — formation

1. Apply via QFC Authority (qfc.qa) 2. Submit business plan, shareholder/director documents, source of funds 3. Obtain QFC Approval in Principle 4. Incorporate a QFC LLC via QFCA's online portal 5. Open a bank account at a QFC-licensed bank (Qatar National Bank QFC branch, HSBC QFC, Standard Chartered QFC, etc.)

Timeline: 2–4 weeks for straightforward applications

Cost: QFC registration fees start at approximately USD 5,000–10,000 for initial licence (varies by activity and authorised capital)