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FAQ: Free Zone
What does a QSTP Free Zone Licence permit me to do?
The activities that a company will undertake at the science park are agreed with QSTP's management at the application stage, and documented in a written Licence. A company's permitted activities typically include a mix of technology development and commercial trading. Benefits provided by the Free Zone, such as 100 percent foreign ownership and the ability to sponsor expatriate staff, are described here.
Can I trade commercially from QSTP?
Companies are welcome to conduct business from QSTP. The scope of a tenant's commercial (and non-commercial) activities is set out in his Licence, which is defined with us during the application process.
Is anything prohibited at QSTP?
QSTP is not suitable for high-volume manufacturing or large-scale warehousing. Multi-user buildings are not suitable for machinery that causes excessive noise or vibration or has a large power consumption.
Are there restrictions on countries I can sponsor workers from?
Under QSTP's free zone law, QSTP tenants are exempted from workforce quotas that apply to certain countries. However tenants cannot sponsor workers from countries which Qatar decides not to use its workforce.
A tenant's Licence sets out agreed metrics for each of his permitted activities, such as staff numbers and investment. Once a year, in a simple and straightforward process, the tenant reports those metrics to QSTP to ensure ongoing compliance with the Licence.
What fees are associated with the Free Zone?
QSTP does not currently levy any Free Zone charges, such as application, licensing or registration fees. The only fees payable by tenants are for rent and service charges (such as electricity and water) and directly-billable goods and services (such as telephone charges or hiring a conference room).
Are there any other free-trade zones in Qatar?
The Qatar Financial Centre is designed to attract international financial institutions and multinational corporates to participate in Qatar's growing market for financial services, and to establish operations in a "best-in-class" business and legal environment.
Further free zones are planned, but not yet active, in Qatar.