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Start your online business in Qatar. No office needed.
The E-Commerce licence is built for businesses that sell and work online. Check your activity below, then let SMART AI start your company formation.
Activity Finder
All 194 activities on the approved E-Commerce list. Type what your business will do, for example online clothing store or web development.
Two activities are added for you automatically and cannot be chosen on their own: 461022 Online wholesale is added with any activity starting with 46, and 479120 Retail sale via Internet is added with any other activity from this list. Names and categories follow the Ministry of Commerce and Industry activity list for the electronic licence.
Activities outside the list usually need a standard mainland licence, which requires a physical office with landlord documents. Our team can check your activity with the Ministry and tell you the best route.
What is the E-Commerce licence?
Qatar's E-Commerce licence lets you run a business that sells goods or provides services online, without renting an office or shop. Our approved list covers online retail in fashion, home, electronics, beauty and leisure, online wholesale and B2B trade, software and IT services, hosting and web services, design and creative work, and business support.
Who is it for?
- Founders launching an online store or a marketplace
- Importers and wholesalers selling to businesses online
- Developers, designers and creatives working for clients anywhere
- Foreign entrepreneurs who want to own 100% of their Qatar company
What you need to know
You do not need an office, shop or warehouse address to get the E-Commerce licence.
You can own the company outright. A 100% foreign-owned company needs a signing authority who is a Qatar resident or citizen, and we can help you with that.
Your business must have a website on a .qa or .com.qa domain. It is a mandatory part of the licence, so we include it as a step in your formation.
Name approval, the domain and website step, the E-Commerce licence and bank account opening are tracked in your account, and our team verifies your activity with the Ministry.
How it works with SMART AI
- Pick your activity. Search above and choose the one that matches your business.
- Chat with SMART AI. Give your preferred company name and timeline, and create a free account.
- Send the WhatsApp start message. Our team confirms your application and continues with you there.
- Track every step. Follow progress from name approval to your licence and bank account in your account page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an office for the E-Commerce licence?
No. The E-Commerce licence does not require physical space. A standard mainland trade licence does require an office with landlord documents.
Can I own 100% of the company as a foreigner?
Yes, 100% foreign ownership is possible with the E-Commerce licence. The company needs a signing authority who is a Qatar resident or citizen, and our team can help you arrange this.
Is a website really mandatory?
Yes. You need a website on a .qa or .com.qa domain. The domain and website are a dedicated step in your formation process.
Is my activity eligible?
If it appears in the Activity Finder above, it is on the approved list for the E-Commerce licence. Our team still verifies every activity with the Ministry as part of your application.
What if my activity is not on the list?
Tell SMART AI what your business does. Activities outside the list usually need a standard mainland licence with a physical office, and our team will confirm the best route with you.
What about free zones?
Free zone setups are handled personally by our agents because every free zone has its own process. Start a chat and SMART AI will connect you.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
It depends on your activity and situation. Start a chat or message us on WhatsApp and our team will give you a clear quote and timeline.
Ready to launch your online business?
SMART AI collects the basics in a couple of minutes and our team takes it from there.