For overseas parent companies
Foreign Company Subsidiary Registration in Qatar
A Qatar subsidiary is a Qatari company owned by your parent. Foreign ownership brings the corporate tax charge with it.
GCC business setup specialists
Ownership and tax are linked here
Because Qatar taxes the foreign-owned share of profits, a wholly foreign-owned subsidiary is within the charge where a Qatari or GCC-owned entity would not be. That makes the shareholding decision a tax decision, and it is worth modelling before you file rather than after.
- Regime and ownership modelled for tax, not just law
- Parent document attestation handled properly
- Tax registration and audit set up from the start
20+
Mainland, free zone and offshore jurisdictions we file in — so the recommendation is based on your activity, not on which authority we happen to be registered with.
7,000+
Companies successfully established.
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Compare the routes
Subsidiary options and the branch alternative
Each has a different tax and liability profile.
| Mainland subsidiary | QFC entity | Branch | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Separate company? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Governing framework | Qatari law | QFC regulations | Qatari law, Ministry approval |
| Foreign ownership | Up to 100% with approval | 100% | 100% of the branch |
| Tax | On foreign-owned share of profits | QFC regime | On Qatari-source profits |
| Parent liability | No | No | Yes |
| Typical fit | Trading and contracting | Financial and professional services | A specific contract |
Ownership approval, tax treatment and branch rules are set by the authorities and change. Your position is confirmed before any application.
How it works
Registering the subsidiary
Regime and ownership first.
01
Regime and ownership
Mainland, Qatar Financial Centre or free zone, with the tax consequence of the shareholding modelled before filing.
02
Attestation and registration
Parent documents legalised and translated, approvals obtained and the subsidiary registered.
03
Operate
Establishment card, tax registration, auditor appointment, bank account and employer file completed.
From the parent
What a corporate shareholder needs
Attestation is the long pole in the timeline.
- Parent certificate of incorporation, attested
- Parent constitutional documents, attested
- Board resolution approving the Qatar subsidiary, attested
- Power of attorney for the local representative, attested
- Certified Arabic translations of all of the above
- Certificate of good standing where required
- Parent financial statements where required
- Ownership chart to ultimate beneficial owners
- Passport copies for the proposed manager
- Business plan for the subsidiary
- Premises plan
- Capital amount and structure
Scope
What is included, and what is not
Stated plainly, so nothing is added once the engagement starts.
Included in the service fee
- Regime and ownership recommendation
- Attestation and translation co-ordination
- Trade name reservation
- Articles of association preparation
- Foreign investment approval where required
- Commercial registration and trade licence
- Establishment card and immigration file
- Tax registration and auditor co-ordination
Not included, quoted separately
- Government fees, paid at cost
- Attestation and legalisation charges
- Certified Arabic translation charges
- Office rent and fit-out
- Share capital
- Group tax and transfer pricing advice
- Audit fees
- Parent-company accounts preparation
Verify independently
Official Qatari authorities
We file directly with these bodies on your behalf.
Ministry of Commerce and IndustryGeneral Tax AuthorityQatar Financial Centre AuthorityQatar Free Zones AuthorityQatar ChamberMinistry of Municipality
Questions
Qatar subsidiary — FAQs
Can the parent own 100%?
In most sectors with Ministry approval, and automatically in the Qatar Financial Centre and free zones. Certain sectors remain restricted.
Does foreign ownership create a tax charge?
Broadly yes — corporate tax applies to the foreign-owned share of Qatari-source profits, which makes shareholding a tax decision.
What does the parent need to provide?
Attested and translated corporate documents, a board resolution and a power of attorney. Attestation is what takes the time.
Is a branch simpler?
Sometimes for a single contract, but the parent carries liability and a branch is often tied to that project. A subsidiary is usually better for an ongoing business.
How long does it take?
Attestation of parent documents and approvals drive the timeline. We give a realistic range once we know where the parent is incorporated.
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