GCC · Jurisdiction profile
🇶🇦 Doing business in Qatar (Mainland)
Foreign founders most often use a WLL. Qatar (Mainland) follows civil law (qatari courts), with corporate tax of 10% on foreign share and personal income tax of 0%.
Entity at a glance
| Typical vehicle | WLL |
|---|---|
| Foreign ownership | Up to 100% with MOCI approval |
| Minimum capital | QAR 200,000 typical |
| Time to incorporate | 20–45 days |
| Corporate tax | 10% on foreign share |
| VAT / GST | None (VAT pending) |
| Dividend withholding | 0% |
| Resident director | Conditional |
| Physical office | Required |
| Annual running cost | USD 8,000–18,000 |
| Audit | Mandatory |
| Legal system | Civil law (Qatari courts) |
| Currency controls | None |
Regulatory profile
- Data transfers: PDPPL — consent + no serious harm test (residency approach: strict).
- Employment termination: protective regime.
- Beneficial ownership register: regulator-only.
- Economic substance test: applies.
- Information exchange: CRS + FATCA IGA Model 1.
Compare Qatar (Mainland) with
Qatar (Mainland) vs Qatar (QFC)Qatar (Mainland) vs UAE (DIFC)Qatar (Mainland) vs UAE (ADGM)Qatar (Mainland) vs Saudi ArabiaQatar (Mainland) vs BahrainQatar (Mainland) vs United KingdomQatar (Mainland) vs SingaporeQatar (Mainland) vs United States (Delaware)Qatar (Mainland) vs India
Figures are indicative and change often. Verify with qualified local counsel. Xc.legal is not a law firm.