A new possibility for your business: Qatar.

Corporate tax from 5%.
0% tax on salaries.
Your next base.
Qatar.

The 5% headline applies to 51% Qatari ownership (effective rate: 4.9%).
100% foreign ownership: 10%. The 0% personal income tax rate applies to salary income.

Build a company in Qatar. Then build the business.
Choosing a location, incorporation, residency and local operations—
connected through one Japanese-language point of contact.

Calculate your potential savings ↗Free online consultation →

Doha, QatarConnecting Japan and Qatar

Katara Towers in Lusail — Your next business opportunity starts here.Katara Towers, Lusail

4.9%Corporate tax with 51% Qatari ownership. 100% foreign ownership: 10%. Japan: approximately 30%.

0%Personal income tax on salaries. Japan: up to 55%.

0%VAT: not introduced as of October 2026. Dubai: 5%.

100%Foreign ownership available. A local partner is not required for many activities.

Coordinated support from incorporation to bank account opening A managing director with around 30 years in trade and international business Support from a practitioner who operates businesses in Japan Working with tax professionals in Japan

Company information you can check.

POI Consulting & Services W.L.L.

Commercial Registration (CR): 206640

Registered with Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and IndustryView commercial registration details →

01 / START WITH YOUR NUMBERS

The same profit.
A different amount retained.

Compare corporate tax in Japan with profits earned overseas through a Qatar company. Choose an ownership structure, then adjust profit and annual costs.

A company fully owned by foreign shareholders.

Annual taxable profit:JPY 100 million

JPY 10 millionJPY 500 million

Annual Qatar company costs:JPY 2 million

JPY 2 million (POI minimum)JPY 6 million

Assumptions: Japan's effective corporate tax rate is approximately 30%; the Qatar company is a mainland entity. Annual costs default to POI's QAR 48,000 (approximately JPY 2 million at JPY 41 per QAR). SME reduced rates and exchange-rate fluctuations are excluded. Local premises, personnel and genuine transactions are assumed for consideration of Japan's controlled foreign company rules. Individual tax calculations are reviewed by our partner tax professionals.

Corporate tax through a Japanese companyJPY 30 million

Qatar corporate tax (10%）JPY 10 million

Difference in corporate taxJPY 20 million

Annual Qatar company costs−JPY 2 million

Annual difference after costs JPY 18 million

Over five years: JPY 90 million difference Review your company's position

02 / THREE BUSINESS STRUCTURES

Stay in Japan or relocate.
Explore three approaches.

Incorporation alone does not reduce Japanese tax. POI helps plan genuine operations—premises, personnel and local transactions—for Japanese tax review.

01 / Own a subsidiary through your Japanese company

Remain in Japan while operating a Qatar subsidiary. Qatar profits are subject to local taxation, and 95% of qualifying dividends can be exempt in Japan, subject to applicable requirements.

For Japanese companies expanding overseas revenue

02 / Deliver services with a local team

A Qatar company provides marketing or production services, with a local person managing contractors. Keep contracts, work records and pricing evidence from the outset.

For businesses serving clients in Japan and overseas

03 / Relocate to Qatar

Make Qatar your principal home. Qatar does not levy personal income tax on salaries and business income; Japanese tax residence must be assessed separately. Property-based residency may also be available.

For business owners and sole proprietors

QATAR / A NEW PERSPECTIVE

In this city,
your next chapter.

A city of light. A life beside the water.
A few perspectives on Qatar.

West Bay's illuminated waterfront skyline in Doha — 01 / THE CITY AT NIGHTDoha, drawn in light.West Bay, Doha · Hongbin / Unsplash

Yachts and waterfront buildings at The Pearl marina — 02 / THE PEARLA city shaped by the sea.

Geometric architecture and shadows at the National Museum of Qatar — 03 / ART & ARCHITECTUREArchitecture as art.

Cityscape photography:Hongbin / Abdelrahman Sarayreh / Letian Zhang（Unsplash）

Why we do business here.

Bringing Japan's strengths
to business in Qatar.

The economic context, and our role on the ground.
Three perspectives on why we chose Qatar.

Understanding the market

Beyond scale,
deliver what people value.

In 2024, Qatar's GDP per capita was approximately USD 75,700 and its population was around 2.86 million. This calls for a focused approach to customers and locations, rather than a mass-market strategy.

We see opportunities to adapt Japanese experience in service and store operations to local needs. We start by looking at properties, competitors and customer behavior on the ground, rather than inferring demand from economic figures alone.

Compare economic data for three countries →

Resource wealth,
and the next industries.

Qatar's Third National Development Strategy emphasizes tourism, logistics, IT and digital services, healthcare and the role of private business.

We believe Japanese service and business experience can contribute to this direction. A national strategy does not guarantee demand or profit for an individual business. Licensing and viability must be assessed for each project.

Read the national development strategy ↗

Beyond incorporation,
to a working business.

Our managing director's international business experience and our team's store operations in Japan inform support for Qatar incorporation, banking, premises and recruitment.

We value local work and lasting relationships. That is why we operate here. Together, we review the conditions—including regional developments—and consider the right time to proceed.

Meet the people supporting you →

Economic opportunities and current travel risks require separate assessment.

As checked on 13 October 2026, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists all of Qatar at Level 2: avoid non-essential travel.Review regional developments and safety information →

03 / BEFORE CHOOSING A LOCATION

Japan, Qatar and Dubai.
Compare them side by side.

Tax, annual costs, residency and the creditworthiness of banks. Compare three countries and jurisdictions using the same criteria to help choose your business base.

Compare the economy, tax, banking and safety →

Criteria	Japan	Qatar	Dubai (UAE)
Corporate tax	Approximately 30% effective rate	10% with 100% foreign ownership / effective 4.9% with 51% Qatari ownership	9% on taxable income above AED 375,000. A 0% relief provision applies to qualifying businesses with annual revenue up to AED 3 million (through the end of 2029).
Personal income tax (salary)	Up to 55% including local resident tax	None	None
Consumption tax / VAT	10%	Not introduced as of October 2026	5%
Dividend withholding tax	20.315% for individuals	None	None
Annual company costs	Tax adviser fees plus local per-capita corporate resident tax, even with a loss (minimum approximately JPY 70,000)	POI from QAR 48,000 annually (renewal, registered address and residency)	Indicative license renewal AED 14,000–25,000 plus audit AED 10,000–15,000
Property-based residency	—	Residency from QAR 730,000 (approximately USD 200,000)	Golden Visa from AED 2 million (approximately USD 540,000)

Based on public information as of October 2026. Rules may change.

Compare the economic context.

Qatar's GDP per capita
75,685 USD

World Bank, 2024. UAE: USD 50,274; Japan: USD 33,797. GDP per capita is not a direct measure of income or purchasing power.

Compare GDP and population visually →

Compare where your funds are held.

How creditworthy are overseas banks?

Compare representative banks using long-term ratings from the same agency, Fitch. Check each bank's creditworthiness rather than relying on a country's image.

Japan / MUFG BankAOfficial rating ↗

Qatar / QNBA+Official rating ↗

Dubai / Emirates NBDA+Official rating ↗

Fitch's A category indicates high credit quality and low default risk. It does not guarantee that a bank cannot fail or that deposits are protected. Official ratings checked on 13 October 2026. These examples do not rank all banks.

Review capital, liquidity and the supporting evidence →

04 / FROM FORMATION TO OPERATIONS

Beyond setting up.
Until your business is running.

Procedures requiring qualifications or registration are performed under the names of authorized local providers, law firms and accounting firms. POI coordinates the process as your Japanese-language contact.

The Pearl waterfront — A Japanese-language contact for your local business.

01 / Incorporation & licensing

Compare QFC, free zones and mainland structures, then coordinate commercial registration and business licensing.

02 / Residency & family sponsorship

QID applications, medical and fingerprint appointments, accompanied visits and family residency.

03 / Bank account opening

Prepare business information and attend bank interviews for company and personal accounts.

04 / Accounting & tax filing

Bookkeeping, tax registration, annual returns and license renewals, coordinated with our Japanese tax partners.

05 / Store openings & premises

Location selection, interiors, permits and opening preparations for food, beauty and wellness businesses.

06 / Recruitment & local staff

Recruit local personnel and arrange employee residency and wage payment processes.

07 / Trade & Japanese products

Market development and local partner introductions for food, cosmetics, building materials and more.

08 / Property & residency advice

Explain eligible residency areas and introduce registered property providers.

Start from where you are

Still choosing a country?
Ready to incorporate?

The support you need depends on your stage.
Choose the starting point closest to your situation.

01 / Explore

Qatar or Dubai—which fits?

Review business, residency and annual costs alongside tax rates.

Compare locations →02 / Incorporate

What do you need, and what will it cost?

Review structures, documents, residency and bank account requirements.

View the formation package →03 / Operate

Need help after incorporation?

Talk to us about accounting, tax, renewals, recruitment and store preparations.

Discuss operational support →

05 / YOUR JAPANESE-LANGUAGE PARTNER IN QATAR

Work with practitioners
who do business in Qatar.

[Ishikawa's photograph]

Managing Director

Katsumi Ishikawa

Around 30 years in trade and international business, now operating from Qatar. Connections with business and public-sector networks across the Gulf.

[Yoshihara's photograph]

Company formation & business launch

Tomoya Yoshihara

A physiotherapist operating Pilates studios (directly owned and franchised), gyms and therapy clinics in Nagoya. In Doha, he has handled restaurant incorporation and bank account opening in practice.

An operator's perspective

Experience running multiple locations in Japan informs decisions on premises, recruitment and customer acquisition.

Tax work with specialists

Partner tax professionals in Japan and local accounting firms in Qatar review the individual circumstances.

Costs explained from the start

First year, renewals and closure. You remain free to change providers.

Your contact and the specialists

Clear responsibilities,
visible support.

POI: Japanese-language consultation, structure comparison, document preparation support, coordination and accompaniment for local procedures, and business launch advice.
Partner tax professionals in Japan: Japanese tax consultations and individual tax judgments, based on your circumstances rather than general estimates alone.
Authorized local providers & specialists: Qualified professionals handle regulated procedures, local legal and accounting work, and property brokerage within their respective roles.

06 / START WITH A CONVERSATION

Connect first.
Then incorporate and build.

STEP 1

Japanese Business Owners Network in Qatar

A LINE community, monthly tax seminars and Doha study visits. Share updates on regulations, property and recruitment.

Free

STEP 2

Company formation & residency package

Structure selection, commercial registration, licensing, QID, banking and a registered address. Plan the premises and personnel needed for genuine operations.

From QAR 48,000 / year

View services and fee details

STEP 3

Monthly operational support

Bookkeeping, tax filing and renewals, plus property, recruitment, permits, local introductions and customer acquisition.

From QAR 2,400 / month

1Free consultation & tax reviewEstimate: [TBC days]
2Application & documentsEstimate: [TBC weeks]
3Commercial registration & licensingBefore travel: [TBC weeks]
4Travel & residencyEstimate: [TBC weeks]
5Bank account openingAccompanied interview: [TBC weeks]
6Business launch & supportContinue to STEP 3

07 / COSTS EXPLAINED UP FRONT

First year, renewals,
and closure. See the full picture.

Government fees may change. Payment within a quote's validity period fixes the quoted amount.

First year (formation + one year)QAR 48,000Registration, licensing, residency for one person, banking and registered address

From year two (annual)QAR 48,000License and residency renewals, registered address (accounting: QAR 2,400 / month; annual audit billed separately)

Indicative closure & liquidation costQAR 22,500〜Closing accounts, audit, deregistration with authorities and residency cancellation

We accept up to [TBC] new clients per month. Spaces remaining this month: [TBC].

Look beyond the incorporation fee.

Review first-year costs, renewals, accounting and closure. We explain package inclusions and additional charges separately.

Check inclusions and additional fees →

08 / SEE FOR YOURSELF

Doha business study visit

Before deciding,
see Doha for yourself.

Explore properties, business districts and government offices, and meet Japanese business owners over [TBC nights / days].

Next dates: [Dates to be confirmed]
Capacity: [TBC participants]
Participation fee: [Fee in JPY to be confirmed]

Considering a study visit?

As checked on 13 October 2026, all of Qatar is at travel advisory Level 2: avoid non-essential travel. Before considering dates, reviewthe latest safety informationfor your travel plans.

Discuss a visit in an online consultation

09 / DOHA TODAY

Doha today, on video

[YouTube: Setting up a company in Doha]

[YouTube: Qatar and Dubai tax differences]

[Instagram: Business study visit]

10 / YOUR QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

Will incorporating in Qatar reduce my Japanese tax?

Incorporation alone is not enough. A foreign company more than 50% owned by Japanese residents or entities may have profits included in Japanese taxation under controlled foreign company rules if it lacks genuine local premises, personnel and transactions. POI helps plan the operating substance for review.

When does the 5% corporate tax headline apply?

Qatar mainland corporate tax applies to profits attributable to foreign ownership. With a 51% Qatari partner, 49% of profits are taxable at 10%, giving an effective 4.9% rate. The partner must genuinely hold 51% ownership and corresponding profit and voting rights. POI does not offer nominee arrangements that return all profits to the foreign owner; these present legal and tax risks. QFC companies are taxed at 10% regardless of ownership.

Can I benefit while living in Japan?

A Japanese company may own a Qatar subsidiary with genuine local business activities. Qatar profits are taxed locally, and 95% of qualifying dividends may be exempt in Japan, subject to applicable requirements and individual tax review.

Does paying myself a salary or transferring profits remove corporate tax?

No. Under Qatar's income tax rules, salaries paid to majority owners or directors and their spouses or children are not deductible. Dividends are paid from after-tax profits. Genuine employee salaries and necessary business expenses may reduce taxable profit. Salaries and dividends received by Japanese residents are also subject to Japanese tax assessment.

Which is better: Dubai or Qatar?

For a small business comparing tax rates alone, Dubai may be favorable. Qatar offers no VAT, a lower property residency threshold, long-term free-zone tax exemptions and fewer Japanese competitors. Eligibility depends on your circumstances.The comparison pageprovides more detail.

Can a Japanese company pay service fees to its Qatar company?

Yes, if the Qatar company actually performs the work and charges arm's-length prices. We help plan local contractor management and retain contracts, work records and pricing evidence.

What happens to Japanese tax if I relocate?

If your principal home moves to Qatar and you become a Japanese non-resident, foreign-source income is generally outside Japanese taxation. Director remuneration from a Japanese company remains subject to Japanese tax, and exit tax may apply to eligible securities and other assets of JPY 100 million or more, subject to the relevant conditions.

How much does it cost?

From QAR 48,000 annually, with accounting support from QAR 2,400 monthly. The annual audit is quoted separately at cost. Indicative closure costs are also shown. Fees depend on the structure and activity; request a formal quote in a free consultation.

11 / UNDERSTANDING QATAR

Qatar & tax insights

View all articles

Tax planningIs overseas company tax planning legal? Why shell companies are challenged, and the role of genuine operations

Dubai comparisonQatar or Dubai for incorporation? Compare tax, costs and markets

Formation & relocationQatar company formation costs in 2026: from the first year to closure

Insights are published by POI Consulting & Services W.L.L.

12 / ABOUT US

The greatest opportunities
lie between markets.

We aim to bring Japanese quality and integrity to Gulf markets as a strategic partner. We believe success comes from building relationships based on trust.

Managing Director · Katsumi Ishikawa

[Partner: tax advisory firm] [Partner: local law firm] [Partner: accounting firm]

Company profile

Company name: POI Consulting & Services W.L.L.
Representative: Katsumi Ishikawa
Address: No. 8, Floor 45, Palm Tower B, West Bay, Doha, Qatar
Commercial Registration number: 206640
Email: info@japanpoi.com

Free online consultation

For your company,
what could the difference be?
Explore it in 30 minutes.

Tell us about your business and profit level. We outline a suitable structure, how tax savings could work, and indicative costs and timing during the call. Detailed tax calculations are reviewed by our partner tax professionals.

Talk on LINE [Add-friend URL] Contact by email

What we cover in 30 minutes

A structure suited to your business
Indicative tax and annual costs
Formation costs and timeline

Individual tax judgments are reviewed by our partner tax professionals.

Corporate tax from 5%.0% tax on salaries.Your next base.Qatar.

The same profit.A different amount retained.

Stay in Japan or relocate.Explore three approaches.