r/qatar • u/Sorbet_citron__ • Sep 10 '26
Request How hard is it to open a company ?
Hi everyone,
I visited Qatar in 2024 , I wanted to live here but couldn't at the time
End of 2025 I got a call from a job here I accepted but I told them it will be only for one year because my goal is to keep doing and growing my online business.
It was kind of a win win ; their business was new and they needed someone and me I got the opportunity to come and live here through the easiest path (= visa with a company)
But now soon my visa will expire and I don't plan to go back on my word so I would like to be fully independant so for that I obvisously need a visa.
From what I saw the only LEGAL way to have that is through real estate or opening a company but I was surprised about how hard is it to find any clear information about this second option
Can you help me please ?
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u/Worried_Mirror9647 Sep 11 '26
Honestly find yourself a good Qatari willing to help... I have gone through this twice once for a friend once for myself for my friend the running back and forth was about 5 months and before she opened she was hit with a fine of Qr10'000 for some tax forms... in my case it took about 4 phone calls to get everything done, we've been operating almost a year no violations and very special activity codes on the C.R.
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u/Sorbet_citron__ Sep 11 '26
Reddit is my good qatari 😂
Can I ask you how much did it cost you ?
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u/Worried_Mirror9647 Sep 11 '26
To get started not including the office and IDs and stuff approx Qar600 but you have to rent an office and all that even if its just a desk at an office center
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u/sajidbashir1 Sep 11 '26
It's not at all hard. Just went through the whole process myself. Moci allows 100 percent foreign owned company setup. Commercial registration costs 1500 plus 700 riyal commercial permit plus 200 qar computer card. To open an account with mol it needs smard card which you can get for 350. Apart from that you might need an office space which you might not need but is a requirement from moci and baldiya. That is around 1000-2000 per month. Some people sell virtual office services but that's not legal according to the information I received.
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u/Honest-South9885 26d ago
Hi, thank you for this. I’m in the process of starting my registration. Can you help me. I need some guidance from someone who has gone through the process themselves before I start so I don’t make any mistakes. I was considering a virtual office but seeing your post has made me rethink. Can I possibly contact you on WhatsApp if you don’t mind or please respond. Thank you in advance.
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u/sajidbashir1 26d ago
You can ask here. I heard ministry has started e-commerce licenses also. Went to moci office to get information but even the head office doesn't have much information except what is publicly available by moci.
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u/alishariff185 5d ago
I am looking to start an engineering consultancy here in Qatar.
My clients are outside Qatar and get payments from outside Qatar itself.
Work done is for different country other than Qatar.
Opening a company in UAE seems economical at first with no liability to rent a space actually.
Annually costing me approx AED 10000 with 1 visa.
However I want to try and seek opinion to open in Qatar if it is convenient and economical.
Mainly the cost is coming from the rental desk space that is needed. Are there cheaper options and if anyone can guide me on opening 100% foreign ownership in MOCI.
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u/weknowthe_ Sep 11 '26
Opening a company in Qatar isn't necessarily "hard," but it is very process-driven and requires specific steps depending on your business type. Since you’re running an online business, your best bet is likely the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC). Unlike the standard MOCI registration, the QFC allows for 100% foreign ownership without a Qatari partner and provides a residency visa as part of the setup.
Another option is the Qatar Free Zones (QFZ), though that’s usually better for larger scale logistics or tech. The main challenges are usually the minimum capital requirements and the need for a physical office space (which QFC helps with).
I help run r/marketinginqatar where we discuss the professional and business side of the digital space here, and several members have navigated the QFC/MOCI process for their online ventures. It’s definitely doable if you have the budget for the initial licensing fees!