Qatar, as one of the world’s flourishing economies today, welcomes entrepreneurs who seek to grow or even start a new business. The business establishment process in Qatar is rather technical and requires some level of compliance with the local requirements. In this article, we will walk you through how to start a business in Qatar, step by step And enroll in its license.
Step 1: Choose Your Business Structure
Here are some examples of business structures available in Qatar:
Limited Liability Company (LLC): This is Qatar’s most popular type of company registration. LLC is a local partnership where a Qatari partner holds at least 51% shareholding.
Freezone Company: This option is suggested if liking 100% is inclined when opening a company in the freezone territory of Qatar. This structure best suits business verticals like IT, logistics, and manufacturing.
Branch Office: If foreign companies are interested in pursuing a specific project, they can set up a branch office in Qatar.
Representative Office: A representative office is non-business oriented and only engages in adverts and other marketing approaches.
Step 2: Reserve Your Company Name
So, you will only have to pick a business name after deciding on the business structure. This name should respect the regulations of the Qatar Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI). Ensure that the name is related to your business activities and that no similar companies exist.
Step 3: Obtain a Commercial Registration (CR)
To conduct business legally in Qatar, you must apply for a Commercial Registration (CR) from MOCI. The CR is a compulsory certificate required before embarking on any commercial venture.
Step 4: Obtain the Required Licenses and Permits
Based on the type of business you intend to establish in Qatar, further licenses and permits may be necessary from several government departments. Some businesses, such as those in health education and construction must have specific approvals. Make sure to check the needed state guidelines for your industry and apply for them before you commence efforts.
Step 5: Open a Corporate Bank Account
After the company’s status is officially registered and all the required permits have been acquired, the next step must be a corporate bank account opening. There are most probably basic things that all Qatari banks will ask for when the requirements are to open a corporate account:
- A copy of the company’s commercial registration
- Articles of association
- Information of the shareholders
- A signed valid office lease agreement
Depending on how you want your business to be run, select a bank that best suits those needs, as several banks have varying programs and packages for starting a new business.
Step 6: Hire Employees and Register with Labor Authorities
If your business needs employees, register with the Ministry of Labor. Also, foreign workers need to apply for work permits and residence visas. It should be noted that Qatar has very stringent labor laws in which workers are treated properly and entitled to all their legal rights.
Step 7: Ongoing Compliance
Once you’ve set up your business, the next critical point is observing the local laws. There are annual accounts to be submitted, taxes to be paid, and a specific timetable for the renewal of all the licenses and permits. Periodic internal compliance checks help reduce non-compliance risk and ensure operational effectiveness.
Entrepreneurship in Qatar is very attractive, and many people would like to start businesses in that region. However, before you can call yourself a business owner, you must face legal and regulatory hurdles. Getting the right structure of the business, applying for the requisite licenses and making sure you meet the rules of the business setup in Qatar are essential.
If you require help setting up a business in Qatar, Helpline Group can help you with any stage of the process you may find challenging. Our company has years of experience in the formation of various types of businesses. It thus makes every effort to eliminate every bottleneck hindering your creativity in developing the business.
