100% Foreign Ownership Companies in Qatar
Under Law No. 1 of 2019, a non-Qatari investor can hold up to 100% of a company’s capital in most sectors. There are limits. Banking, insurance and commercial agencies stay closed, a foreign share above 49% needs the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s approval, and the activity has to be on its approved list. We help you check your activity first.
Foreign ownership at a glance
- With Ministry approval above 49%, outside closed sectors
- Up to 100%
- You apply to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- Above 49%
- For the Ministry’s decision on a complete file
- 15 days
- Maximum fine for breaching the law
- QAR 500,000
From Law No. 1 of 2019 and its Executive Regulations; see the sources at the end of the page.
The rule in short
As a standard rule, a foreign investor can own up to 49% of a mainland company. Law No. 1 of 2019 lets the Ministry of Commerce and Industry approve more, up to 100% of the capital, in most sectors; a few closed areas are the exception. So anyone planning a foreign share above 49% applies to the Ministry first.
The rule in brief
- Without approval
- Up to 49% foreign
- With Ministry approval
- Up to 100%
- Approved list
- The activity must be on the Positive List
- Closed
- Banks and insurance, commercial agencies, fields the Cabinet names
What we help with
Activity check
Whether your activity is on the Ministry’s approved list and outside the closed sectors.
Choosing the route
The mainland with approval, or the Qatar Financial Centre or Qatar Free Zones under their own rules.
The application file
Activity description, business plan, financial plan and the written undertaking.
Documents
Passports, company papers and attestation, in the order the Ministry asks for them.
Existing companies
Bringing foreign capital into a company that is already registered.
After approval
Commercial registration, establishment card and tax card.
Foreign investment in Qatar under Law No. 1 of 2019
This is the statute behind foreign investment in Qatar’s mainland companies, and four of its articles do most of the work.
Up to 100% (Article 2)
In all economic sectors, as the Executive Regulations set out.
Listed companies (Article 7)
Up to 49% of a company listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange with Ministry approval; more with the Cabinet’s.
Protection (Articles 13, 14)
No expropriation except for the public benefit with fair compensation; free transfer of returns.
Exemptions (Articles 10, 11)
Possible income tax and customs exemptions under other laws; no period set in this law.
Activities closed to full foreign ownership
Outside the closed areas, the activity has to be on the list the Minister approves, published as the Positive List on the Single Window.
Closed by Article 4
- Banks and insurance
- Closed, unless the Cabinet makes an exception
- Commercial agencies
- Closed
- Other fields
- Closed when the Cabinet names them
- Breaking the law
- A fine of up to QAR 500,000 (Article 20)
How to apply for more than 49%
- Check the Positive List
Confirm that your activity is on the Ministry’s list approved for foreign investment.
- Prepare the file
Activity description, business plan, financial plan and a written undertaking.
- Apply on the Single Window
Through the Invest in Qatar Center, which charges no fee; Ministry fees apply after approval.
- Decision and registration
Due within 15 days. On approval, the Ministry tells its registration unit and you, and the company is registered.
Free zones and the QFC
Both allow full foreign ownership under their own registration process, separate from the Ministry’s.
Qatar Free Zones- Foreign ownership
- 100%
Qatar Financial Centre- Foreign ownership
- Up to 100%
Documents and timeline
The law sets 15 days for the ownership decision and, for an LLC, 15 days for registration, each from a complete file.
From the owners
- Passport copy for each foreign partner
- For a company partner: its commercial registration, notarised, with an Arabic translation
- For a company partner: its papers attested at home and by Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Beneficial owner declaration
For the company
- Memorandum notarised by the Ministry of Justice
- Approval of the authorised signatory, with ID
- Approval of the authority concerned, if the activity needs one
Related services
Common questions about 100% foreign ownership of a company in Qatar
Can a foreigner own a business in Qatar?
Under the law, yes. Say an investor from abroad wants every share in a Doha trading company: Law No. 1 of 2019 allows it, but the part above 49% needs the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s approval first. Without that approval, the standard 51% Qatari share applies.
Source: Law No. 1 of 2019 on investment of non-Qatari capital (Al Meezan)
Which companies in Qatar can be 100% foreign-owned?
A mainland company can be fully foreign-owned under Law No. 1 of 2019 if two things hold: its activity is on the Ministry’s approved list, and the application above 49% is approved. Banking, insurance, commercial agencies and fields the Cabinet names stay closed. Without approval, a foreign share stays at 49% or less. The QFC and the Qatar Free Zones allow full foreign ownership under their own rules.
Source: Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Investment steps for foreign investors
How do I open a company with 100% foreign ownership in Qatar?
As a foreign investor, first check that your activity is on the Ministry’s approved list, choose the route and legal form, then apply through the Single Window with an activity description, business plan, financial plan and attested documents. Above 49% foreign ownership, the Ministry decides within 15 days of a complete file.
Source: MOCI Decision No. 44 of 2020, Executive Regulations of Law No. 1 of 2019 (Al Meezan)
What are the legal requirements for business setup in Qatar with foreign owners?
Four, mainly. The activity must be on the Ministry’s approved list and outside the closed sectors; any foreign share above 49% needs the Ministry’s approval first; the company takes one of the forms in the company law, usually an LLC; and its memorandum is in Arabic, notarised by the Ministry of Justice. Add a beneficial owner declaration and attested foreign papers.
Source: Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Investment steps for foreign investors
Can a foreigner own a house in Qatar?
In some areas, yes. Non-Qataris may own property only where a Cabinet decision opens the area to them; Cabinet Decision No. 28 of 2020 lists those areas, under Law No. 16 of 2018 on property ownership and use by non-Qataris. Owning a company is a different question, answered by Law No. 1 of 2019 rather than the property law.
How can a foreign company operate in Qatar?
Through a branch, which the 2019 law requires for foreign companies carrying out government contracts; a commercial representation office, which promotes but does not sell; a Qatari company with foreign capital; or a company in the Qatar Financial Centre or a free zone.
Source: Law No. 1 of 2019 on investment of non-Qatari capital (Al Meezan)
Which sectors in Qatar are closed to foreign ownership?
Article 4 of Law No. 1 of 2019 closes banks and insurance companies to foreign investors, unless the Cabinet makes an exception, and closes commercial agencies. The Cabinet can name other closed fields. Outside these, the activity must be on the Positive List on the Single Window, and a foreign share above 49% needs Ministry approval.
Source: Law No. 1 of 2019 on investment of non-Qatari capital (Al Meezan)
Did not find your question? Ask an adviser. We reply with what applies to your case.
Sources
Official sources for the facts on this page, last checked 19 Oct 2026.
- Law No. 1 of 2019 on investment of non-Qatari capital (Al Meezan)
- MOCI Decision No. 44 of 2020, Executive Regulations of Law No. 1 of 2019 (Al Meezan)
- Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Investment steps for foreign investors
- Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Local investor services
- Invest Qatar, Setting up your business in Qatar (guide hosted by MOCI)
- Single Window, Establishing companies FAQ
- Single Window, Foreign investment companies FAQ
- Commercial Companies Law No. 11 of 2015, as amended (Al Meezan)
- Al Meezan, Investment legislation
Tell us your exact activity and who will own the company.
We check it against the law and the Ministry’s list, and tell you which route fits.