A Foreign Commercial Company can operate in Lebanon and it must be registered as a ‘Branch’ or ‘Representative office’.

IN BRIEF

• Must have the same object as the mother company & can engage in regular trade activities.
• Restricted & limited to the promotion of the head office’s services & products.
• May own local Business entities.
• SET UP PROCESS
  • The branch must first be registered with the Ministry of Economy and Trade. A second registration is also required at the Trade Registry.
  • The parent company must appoint at least one director to manage and run the Lebanese branch, as well as a lawyer on a yearly retainer basis.
  • A foreign company may establish a Representative Office in Lebanon. Such an entity generally has the same characteristics and requirements as a Lebanese branch except that the representative office’s activity is restricted and limited to the promotion of the head office’s services and products. Hence, a representative office may not engage in trade activities of any kind in Lebanon.
• Must appoint a Director to manage the Lebanese Branch.

Our Company formation Team incorporates your (HODLING) in just 3 Days.

STEPS

1. PRELIMINARY LEGAL TASKS
   • Signature of the Company’s Article of Association by the founders before a Public Notary.
   • Signature of the Company’s establishment documents to be registered at the Commercial Registrar.
2. PAYMENT OF SHARE CAPITAL

   Opening a Bank account & deposit the capital of the Company LBP 30,000,000 (Minimum USD 20.000).

3. REGISTRATION AT THE COMMERCIAL REGISTRAR

   Registering the company incorporation documents at the Commercial Registrar.

4. REGISTRATION AT THE BAR ASSOCIATION

   Submitting a certificate of appointment of a Legal Advisor to the Company.

5. REGISTRATION AT THE MOF
   • Payment of the stamp duties at the MOF.
   • Apply for commencement of activity at the MOF.
   • Issue the Tax identification Number of the Company.
6. RELEASE OF CAPITAL

   Submit the establishment docs to the Bank in order to release the capital that has been deposited during the Registration phase.

7. INCORPORATION REQUIREMENTS
   • Name of the company
   • Copy of the ID of the shareholders
   • Contact details of the Shareholders
   • Name of the chairperson/general manager
   • Address of the company and a copy of the lease agreement
   • POA
8. Upon registration all companies are provided with a complete company kit that includes:
   • By-Laws
   • Minutes of Meeting of the Constitutive General Assembly
   • Minutes of Meeting of the First Board of Directors
   • Commercial Circular of the Company
   • Certificate of Registration

A Lebanese Joint Stock Company is constituted amongst shareholders who are only liable to the extent of their contribution and who subscribe to negotiable instruments referred to as ‘shares’. Lebanese joint stock companies must necessarily have the Lebanese nationality, and must by all means establish their headquarters in Lebanon.

IN BRIEF

• Shareholders are only liable to the extent of their contribution.
• Minimum initial capital is LBP 30,000,000. Approximately USD 20,000.
• Minimum number of shareholders is 3.
• Majority of board members must be Lebanese nationals.
• Can operate in all sectors.
• No restrictions on foreign participation except for certain restricted sectors.
• Must appoint an additional auditor.
• TAXATION
  • (15%) tax on corporate profit
  • (5%) tax on profits received from the development or sale of real estate.
  • A withholding Tax @ a rate of (10%) is levied on all proceeds derived from movable Capital assets generated in Lebanon, this Tax concerns:
    • Distributed Dividends, interest and income shares.
    • Directors’ Fees as well as amount paid to them for profits.
    • Distribution of reserve or profits in form of additional shares or in any form.
• Company’s name must always be followed by the abbreviation (S.A.L).

SET UP PROCESS

Our Company formation Team incorporates your (JSC) in just 3 Days.

STEPS

1. PRELIMINARY LEGAL TASKS
   • Signature of the Company’s Article of Association by the founders before a Public Notary.
   • Signature of the Company’s establishment documents to be registered at the Commercial Registrar.
2. PAYMENT OF SHARE CAPITAL

   Opening a Bank account & deposit the capital of the Company LBP 30,000,000 (Minimum USD 20.000).

3. REGISTRATION AT THE COMMERCIAL REGISTRAR

   Registering the company incorporation documents at the Commercial Registrar.

4. REGISTRATION AT THE BAR ASSOCIATION

   Submitting a certificate of appointment of a Legal Advisor to the Company.

5. REGISTRATION AT THE MOF
   • Payment of the stamp duties at the MOF.
   • Apply for commencement of activity at the MOF
   • Issue the Tax identification Number of the Company.
6. RELEASE OF CAPITAL

   Submit the establishment docs to the Bank in order to release the capital that has been deposited during the Registration phase.

INCORPORATION REQUIREMENTS

• Name of the company
• Copy of the ID of the shareholders
• Contact details of the Shareholders
• Name of the chairperson/general manager
• Address of the company and a copy of the lease agreement
• POA

Upon registration all companies are provided with a complete company kit that includes:

• By-Laws
• Minutes of Meeting of the Constitutive General Assembly
• Minutes of Meeting of the First Board of Directors.
• Commercial Circular of the Company
• Certificate of Registration

A Limited Liability Company is governed by Decree-Law No 35 of August 5, 1967 and is commonly referred to in Lebanon as S.A.R.L (French equivalent of L.L.C). An S.A.R.L is founded by at least (3) partners with a maximum of (20). As indicated by its name, the company’s partners have a limited liability to the amount of their contribution to the company.

IN BRIEF

• Minimum initial capital is LBP 5,000,000. Approximately USD 3,333.
• Minimum number of Partners is 3.
• Partners have a limited liability based on their contribution to the company.
• LLC does not have a governing Board of Directors.
• Management is entrusted to one or more "Managers" who may or may not be Partners.
• Cannot perform: Insurance, banking, finance, supplies & organized freight.
• Shares of LLC (referred to as “parts”), are not freely tradable, transfer of parts to non-partners requires the prior approval (3/4) of the company share capital.
• No restrictions on foreign participation except for certain restricted sectors.
• TAXATION
  • (15%) tax on corporate profit;
  • (5%) tax on profits received from the development or sale of real estate. A withholding Tax @ a rate of (10%) is levied on all proceeds derived from movable Capital assets generated in Lebanon, this Tax concerns:
    • Distributed Dividends, interest and income shares.
    • Directors’ Fees as well as amount paid to them for profits.
• Company name must always be followed by the abbreviation "S.A.R.L".

SET UP PROCESS

Our Company formation Team incorporates your (LLC) in just 3 Days.

STEPS

1. PRELIMINARY LEGAL TASKS
   • Signature of the Company’s Article of Association by the founders before a Public Notary.
   • Signature of the Company’s establishment documents to be registered at the Commercial Registrar.
2. PAYMENT OF SHARE CAPITAL

   Opening a Bank account & deposit the capital of the Company LBP 5,000,000 (Minimum USD 3.333).

3. REGISTRATION AT THE COMMERCIAL REGISTRAR

   Registering the company incorporation documents at the Commercial Registrar.

4. REGISTRATION AT THE BAR ASSOCIATION

   Submitting a certificate of appointment of a Legal Advisor to the Company.

5. REGISTRATION AT THE MOF
   • Payment of the stamp duties at the MOF.
   • Apply for commencement of activity at the MOF
   • Issue the Tax identification Number of the Company.
6. RELEASE OF CAPITAL

   Submit the establishment docs to the Bank in order to release the capital that has been deposited during the Registration phase.

INCORPORATION REQUIREMENTS

• Name of the company
• Copy of the ID of the shareholders
• Contact details of the Shareholders
• Name of the chairperson/general manager
• Address of the company and a copy of the lease agreement
• POA

Upon registration all companies are provided with a complete company kit that includes:

• By-Laws
• Minutes of Meeting of the Constitutive General Assembly
• Minutes of Meeting of the First Board of Directors.
• Commercial Circular of the Company
• Certificate of Registration

Lebanon offers private individuals and businesses one of the most competitive and reputable offshore Jurisdictions in the world, the Lebanese Offshore among the best Jurisdictions for investors as it provides ideal conditions and incentives for the enhancement of their businesses, the increase of their profits and most importantly the protection of their assets and privacy. Lebanon has signed Treaties for the avoidance of Double Taxation with more than 32 countries.

IN BRIEF

• Full ownership for non Lebanese Citizens.
• Only subject to a flat yearly Tax of LBP 1 Million Approx USD 666.
• Cannot operate: Insurance, Banking & Financial institutions operations.
• Operates in the Lebanese Free zone or abroad.
• Minimum number of Shareholders is (3).
• TAXATION

  Offshore is subject to

  • LBP 1 Million (USD 666) fixed annual Tax.
  • (10%) tax on profit received from the sale of fixed assets in Lebanon.
• Offshore is exempted from paying
  • Income tax on profits
  • Income tax on profit distribution
  • Income tax on profit distribution
  • Stamp duties on overseas business contracts signed in Lebanon
  • Interest tax gained on foreign Investments
  • Tax on interest and amounts paid to foreign residents
  • Tax on salaries paid to employees working outside Lebanon
  • Inheritance Tax
• Lebanon has signed Treaties to avoid double Taxation with 32 countries.
• Enjoys a worldly renowned reputation.

SET UP PROCESS

Our Company formation Team incorporates your (OFFSHORE) in just 3 Days.

STEPS

1. PRELIMINARY LEGAL TASKS
   • Signature of the Company’s Article of Association by the founders before a Public Notary.
   • Signature of the Company’s establishment documents to be registered at the Commercial Registrar.
2. PAYMENT OF SHARE CAPITAL

   Opening a Bank account & deposit the capital of the Company LBP 30,000,000 (Minimum USD 20.000).

3. REGISTRATION AT THE COMMERCIAL REGISTRAR

   Registering the company incorporation documents at the Commercial Registrar.

4. REGISTRATION AT THE BAR ASSOCIATION

   Submitting a certificate of appointment of a Legal Advisor to the Company.

5. REGISTRATION AT THE MOF
   • Payment of the stamp duties at the MOF.
   • Apply for commencement of activity at the MOF
   • Issue the Tax identification Number of the Company.
6. RELEASE OF CAPITAL

   Submit the establishment docs to the Bank in order to release the capital that has been deposited during the Registration phase.

INCORPORATION REQUIREMENTS

• Name of the company
• Copy of the ID of the shareholders
• Contact details of the Shareholders
• Name of the chairperson/general manager
• Address of the company and a copy of the lease agreement
• POA

Upon registration all companies are provided with a complete company kit that includes:

• By-Laws
• Minutes of Meeting of the Constitutive General Assembly
• Minutes of Meeting of the First Board of Directors.
• Commercial Circular of the Company
• Certificate of Registration

BVI BUSINESS COMPANY (BVI BC)

British Virgin Islands Business Company (BVI BC) is the world's most popular form of offshore legal entity.

1. Advantages
   • Zero corporate income tax.
   • Corporate documents are well known to and widely recognized by international banks.
   • Information about corporate directors, officers, shareholders and beneficial owners is not filed with the BVI Register of Companies and closed for the public.
   • No restrictions on doing business and buying property in the BVI and all other countries.
   • Available for residents of any country.
   • Companies incorporated in any other jurisdiction may be continued in BVI as a BC.
   • BVI BC can, where the laws of another jurisdiction permit, relocate to such jurisdiction.
2. Statutory Facts
   • Shareholders
     • Minimum (1) - Individual or Corporation.
     • No residency requirement.
   • Directors
     • Minimum (1) - Individual or Corporation.
     • No residency requirement.
   • Company Secretary
     • Optional.
   • Registered Office
     • Must be maintained in the BVI.
     • Business address can be located anywhere in the world.
     • Statutory books of the company must be kept.
   • Auditors
     • Optional
   • Share Certificates
     • Registered shares.
     • Bearer shares permitted but must be customized by a permitted custodian.
   • Share Capital
     • No minimum capital requirement.
     • Can be denominated in any currency.
   • Time to Incorporate
     • After checking the name is available, and all documents are ready to be filled, a company can be incorporated in (5) working days.