Pakistan presents significant opportunities for foreign companies looking to expand their business operations in South Asia. Foreign company registration in Pakistan requires compliance with specific regulations and procedures established by Pakistani authorities.
Types of Foreign Company Operations
- Subsidiary Company (wholly owned or joint venture)
- Branch Office (representative of parent company)
- Liaison Office (communication center, no trading)
- Project Office (temporary setup for a specific project)
- Representative Office (marketing and liaison activities)
Key Requirements
- Certified copy of parent company’s memorandum and articles
- Certificate of incorporation from country of origin
- Board resolution approving establishment in Pakistan
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) notification
- SECP approval for registration
- Authorised signatory appointment in Pakistan
- Registered office address in Pakistan
- Company secretary appointment and board of directors information
- Certificate of good standing from home country
Steps for Foreign Company Registration
- Obtain FDI Notification from the Board of Investment (BoI)
- Submit application to SECP with required documents
- Legalise parent company documents from the embassy
- Obtain SECP approval and Certificate of Registration
- Open a corporate bank account in Pakistan
- Obtain a National Tax Number (NTN) from FBR
- Register with relevant provincial authorities
- Comply with labor and industry regulations
- Register with provincial tax authorities
- Obtain business and trade licenses
Foreign Investment Compliance
Includes investment approval from the Board of Investment, foreign exchange management compliance, repatriation procedures and documentation, annual investment reporting, remittance procedures for dividends and profits, withholding tax obligations, and currency regulations compliance.
Tax Obligations for Foreign Companies
- Corporate income tax filing
- Withholding tax on dividends, technical service fees, and royalties
- Import duty obligations
- Sales tax registration, if applicable
- Double taxation avoidance agreements (if applicable)
Ongoing Regulatory Compliance
Annual general meetings, audited financial statements, annual returns filing with SECP, tax returns with FBR, compliance with foreign exchange regulations, labor and environmental compliance, and regular license renewals.
How IMAAR Associates Helps
We provide FDI documentation and approvals, SECP registration assistance, company formation and incorporation, tax registration and optimisation, compliance management, annual reporting and filing, and regulatory liaison and representation — helping foreign companies navigate the Pakistani business environment efficiently and in full compliance with applicable laws.