A Qatar-based NRI can invest in an Indian company or LLP on a repatriation basis, treated as foreign investment with pricing and reporting rules, or on a non-repatriation basis, treated like domestic investment. We check the business, negotiate protections for an investor in Qatar and ensure FEMA filings so that your capital and returns can come back.
- Document route
- Qatari notary (Ministry of Justice), Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation, then Embassy of India attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 2h30 ahead of Qatar time all year (no daylight saving)
- Law
- FEMA 1999 and NDI Rules 2019
- Routes
- Repatriable (Schedule 1) or non-repatriable (Schedule 4)
Legal Advisory for NRI Investors from Qatar: how it works
We discuss your goals and choose the route. Due diligence covers the company's MCA filings, share capital history, charges, litigation, tax compliance and ownership of key assets, licences and approvals, which matter especially for hospitals and schools. If the venture is run informally by relatives, we recommend incorporating it before you invest so that your stake is documented in shares or partnership interest.
Protections go into the shareholders agreement and articles: regular accounts, consent over new share issues and borrowing, a board or observer seat with video meetings, pre-emption and exit rights, and arbitration seated in India with online hearings. Repatriable money comes from Qatar by bank remittance or from your NRE account, and the company files Form FC-GPR within 30 days of allotment. Afterwards, we review the annual accounts and any proposal for new shares or large loans on your behalf, so that decisions taken while you are in Qatar do not quietly weaken your position.
What clients in Qatar should know
- Money sent to a relative to invest informally creates proof problems later; invest in your own name with documents.
- FEMA does not let NRIs put money into farming, plantations or a real estate trading business, whichever route is used.
- Dividends from Indian companies are taxed in India; Qatar does not tax them for individuals.
Step by step from Qatar
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Qatar, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Qatar
Qatari notary (Ministry of Justice), Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation, then Embassy of India attestation
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Qatar where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Qatar. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Legal Advisory for NRI Investors, or see all services for clients in Qatar and the Doing Business in India practice area.
Questions from clients in Qatar
Can I invest in a hospital project in Kerala run by a trust?
Investment structures for trusts and societies are different from companies; we advise on what is permitted and how to protect your money.
Can I be a director while in Doha?
Yes. After obtaining a director identification number and a digital signature, you can join board meetings from Qatar by video and approve filings online.
What filings does the company make?
Form FC-GPR for repatriable investment and the annual foreign liabilities and assets return.