Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) has introduced a QR500 e-commerce licence for businesses that operate online without a physical shop. Launched in September 2026 under Decision No. 25 of 2026, the licence covers 194 approved activities, including consulting, fashion design, digital design, AI solutions, photography and translation.
The licence is aimed at online sellers, freelancers formalising their businesses and small companies adding digital sales channels. Applicants must already be registered in the commercial register, specify their business activity, secure any required sector approvals and identify the website they will use.
Licensed businesses must trade through the approved website, offer electronic payment and display key information such as registration details, contact channels, product or service descriptions, return policies and complaints procedures. Each website requires its own licence.
Businesses are also expected to use a .qa or .com.qa domain registered through a provider regulated by Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority. Applications are submitted through the Single Window platform, but MOCI has warned that submissions cannot be withdrawn or cancelled, making accuracy essential before filing.
The ministry said the licence supports e-commerce, entrepreneurship and Qatar’s digital transformation agenda while bringing more online businesses into a formal framework.
Source: Falak
