Company RegistrationUpdated
What does a company need before it can invoice in Iraq?
Before setting a date for the first invoice, define what the business will deliver in Iraq. Company registration is one part of that plan; tax, banking and any relevant sector permissions need their own review.
Start with the first job the business must deliver
A distributor planning its first local shipment and an engineering firm opening a workshop need different operating arrangements. Stock, staff, premises and service responsibilities follow from what each business intends to sell. For an overseas supplier, the plan may be to place stock or a service team closer to existing Iraqi customers.
If the partners have different plans, an opening date can mean different things to each of them. Agree whether the local business will supply products, install equipment, maintain it or combine those activities before defining the setup work.
Review the route for the actual location
A branch of an existing company and a new local company are routes to consider against the ownership, intended activity and location. They should be reviewed in the relevant jurisdiction, rather than treated as interchangeable options everywhere in Iraq.
The Kurdistan Regional Government’s business portal, for example, provides a company-registration route for the Kurdistan Region. It does not establish the requirements for every operation elsewhere in Iraq.
For ownership specifically, see whether a foreign national can own 100% in the Kurdistan Region, including the commercial-agency exception.
Give each milestone a clear meaning
A registration milestone should not be used as shorthand for everything the business needs before serving customers.
| Milestone | Decision to clarify |
|---|---|
| Company or branch setup | Which route fits the planned activity and location. |
| Tax, banking and permissions | Which requirements apply and who reviews each one. |
| Operating readiness | Whether the agreed premises, people and delivery arrangements are ready. |
| Supplier approval | Whether a target buyer has a separate registration or qualification route. |
Make the proposal clear enough to coordinate
The engagement should identify the agreed work, the responsibilities on each side and what will be handed over. Banking and sector permissions have separate review processes; their status needs to be clear when planning the first customer commitment.
Document readiness and the receiving authority’s review affect the working schedule. Keybridge coordinates the agreed setup work. The relevant authority or bank retains its own decision.
Plan around the operation you intend to run
Describe the planned activity, location and first customer commitment. Contact Keybridge by Email, WhatsApp or Telegram.
We can then discuss company or branch setup around that operation. If the aim is to supply a particular operator, review the buyer’s registration route separately.
Sources
More insights
Questions
- Does a company-registration date mean we can start every activity?
- It does not resolve every operating requirement. Confirm the tax, banking and sector requirements relevant to the planned activity and location.
- Should we open a branch or a new company?
- Review both routes against the existing business, ownership, planned activity and location. The appropriate route depends on those facts and the applicable requirements.
- Does registration place us on an operator’s supplier list?
- No. A buyer’s supplier-registration and qualification decisions are separate from company setup.
Company Registration: review the route for your planned presence
Contact
Tell us your planned activity, operating location and target start date, plus the country of registration of any existing company. We will review branch setup or a new company and agree the support required.
Contact Keybridge