START A COMPANY / ASIA-PACIFIC
How to register a company in Pakistan
Companies are incorporated online through SECP eServices: reserve a name, file the incorporation documents, pay the SECP fee and receive the certificate, with an NTN available through the same portal. A Private Limited needs 2 directors; a Single Member Company needs 1. Expect about 3–10 working days.
- REGISTRY
- Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP): Company Registration via eServices
- ONLINE
- Fully online
- FROM
- PKR 0 (≈ £1)
- STRUCTURES HERE
- 3
Setting up from abroad
Yes. Foreigners can own 100% of most private companies and act as directors; no resident-director rule is reported for private companies (confirm with SECP). Expect attested passports and corporate documents, a physical Pakistan registered office, an NTN, and capital remitted through a bank.
PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY
Pvt Ltd: Private Limited Company (Companies Act 2017)
Startups, traders and service businesses wanting limited liability; the standard choice for foreign-owned subsidiaries.
- Liability
- Limited to what you put in
- You need
- 2 directors and 2 shareholders (up to 50 shareholders); the same people can fill both roles
- Minimum capital
- None by law (authorised capital from Rs 100,000 is typical)
- Time
- 3–10 working days (about 1–3 days for SECP once filed; longer for attested foreign documents)
Steps
Create a user account on SECP eServices (eservices.secp.gov.pk) and reserve the company name online (about Rs 1,000; the reservation lasts 60 days).
Gather passports or CNICs, NTNs, photos and address proofs for every subscriber and director; foreigners add attested passports, a signed undertaking and attested corporate documents.
Secure a physical registered office in Pakistan (lease or title proof; virtual offices do not qualify) and draft the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
File the incorporation application, MoA/AoA, directors' consents and subscriber details through eServices and pay the SECP fee by authorised capital; fast-track processing (about 4 hours) costs extra.
Receive the Certificate of Incorporation with the company's CUIN, then apply through eServices for the company NTN and provincial registrations (professional tax, EOBI, social security) where offered.
Open a corporate bank account (certificate, MoA/AoA, board resolution, NTN); foreign investors remit capital through banking channels and keep the inward remittance advice.
Register for sales tax (STRN) with FBR or the provincial revenue authority if you supply taxable goods or services.
Documents
- CNIC for Pakistanis; passport for foreigners (attested through the Pakistani embassy or apostilled)
- Proof of residential address and NTN (or NTN application) for each director and shareholder
- Photographs and signed consent to act as director
- Registered office proof (lease or title) and a recent utility bill
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Foreign subscribers: notarised corporate documents, certified translation and the SECP undertaking
Official fees
SECP online fee about Rs 5,500 for authorised capital up to Rs 100,000, then about Rs 770 per further Rs 100,000; name reservation about Rs 1,000; fast-track and stamp costs extra.
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | PKR 6,500≈ £17 | DIY on eServices: SECP fee for Rs 100,000 capital plus name reservation (about) |
| With an accountant or agent | PKR 35,000≈ £94 | With a local corporate agent handling filings, NTN and registrations (about Rs 25,000–50,000) |
| Full service | PKR 120,000≈ £320 | Law-firm package: attested documents, registered office, bank-account help, tax and labour registrations (about) |
Every year
- Hold an AGM, appoint an auditor and file the annual return and audited financial statements with SECP within the statutory deadlines
- File the annual income-tax return and withholding statements with FBR (standard corporate rate 29%) and sales-tax returns monthly (standard rate 18%) if registered
- Pay EOBI and provincial social-security contributions, and professional tax, for employees
- Update SECP on director, address and beneficial-ownership changes within the prescribed days
Check before you rely on it. Not confirmed with an official source: the SECP website blocks automated access. Fee levels (Rs 5,500 online up to Rs 100,000 capital; about Rs 770 per further Rs 100,000) come from secondary sources reflecting SECP's April 2025 revision; check SECP's fee calculator. The no-resident-director point also comes from secondary guides.
PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY
SMC: Single Member Company (Private) Limited
Solo founders who want limited liability without finding a second shareholder.
- Liability
- Limited to what you put in
- You need
- 1 member/director plus a nominee who takes over on the member's death or incapacity
- Minimum capital
- None by law (authorised capital from Rs 100,000 is typical)
- Time
- 3–10 working days
Steps
Create a SECP eServices account and reserve a name ending (SMC-Private) Limited (about Rs 1,000).
Prepare CNIC or passport, NTN, photo and address proof for the single member and the nominee; foreigners add attested passports and a signed undertaking.
Draft the MoA/AoA naming the nominee and secure a physical registered office in Pakistan.
File the application on eServices and pay the SECP fee by authorised capital (the same schedule as a private company).
Receive the Certificate of Incorporation and obtain the company NTN and provincial registrations through the portal.
Open a corporate bank account and register for sales tax if you supply taxable goods or services.
Documents
- CNIC or attested passport for the member and the nominee
- Proof of address, NTN and photographs
- Nominee's signed consent
- Registered office proof and utility bill
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
Official fees
Same SECP schedule as a private company: about Rs 5,500 online up to Rs 100,000 authorised capital, then about Rs 770 per further Rs 100,000; name reservation about Rs 1,000.
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | PKR 6,500≈ £17 | DIY on eServices: SECP fee for Rs 100,000 capital plus name reservation (about) |
| With an accountant or agent | PKR 35,000≈ £94 | With a local corporate agent handling filings and NTN (about Rs 25,000–50,000) |
| Full service | PKR 110,000≈ £290 | Law-firm package with attested documents, registered office, bank and tax registrations (about) |
Every year
- File the annual return and audited accounts with SECP and appoint an auditor each year
- File FBR income-tax and sales-tax returns and withholding statements on time
- Keep the nominee details current and notify SECP of changes
- Pay EOBI and provincial social-security contributions if you employ staff
Check before you rely on it. Not confirmed with an official source: fee schedule and nominee/secretary rules from secondary sources (SECP site blocked automated access).
SOLE TRADER
Sole proprietorship: Sole proprietorship (no SECP registration)
Freelancers and small traders; no company registration, only a tax number, but unlimited liability.
- Liability
- Unlimited: you are personally liable
- You need
- 1 individual (Pakistani nationals in practice; foreigners should use a company)
- Minimum capital
- None
- Time
- 1–7 days
Steps
Register as an individual taxpayer for a free NTN on FBR's IRIS portal using your CNIC and add your business activity and address.
Open a business bank account in your own or trade name with the NTN, CNIC and a business declaration.
Register for sales tax (STRN) with FBR, or with the provincial revenue authority (PRA, SRB, KPRA or BRA) for services, once you supply taxable goods or services.
Obtain local trade or shop licences and, if you hire staff, register with EOBI and the provincial social-security institution.
Optionally join the local chamber of commerce and register your trade name or brand.
Documents
- CNIC of the proprietor
- Proof of business address (rent agreement or utility bill)
- Bank account opening documents
- Mobile number and email for the FBR portal
Official fees
No SECP fee and NTN registration is free; local trade licence and chamber fees vary (often Rs 1,000–10,000).
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | PKR 0≈ £1 | DIY: NTN registration is free; licence fees depend on the local authority |
| With an accountant or agent | PKR 5,000≈ £13 | With an accountant for NTN, bank and sales-tax registration (about Rs 3,000–10,000) |
| Full service | PKR 25,000≈ £67 | Tax consultant handles registrations, licences, books and first-year filings (about) |
Every year
- File the annual income-tax return with FBR through IRIS
- File monthly sales-tax returns if registered (federal or provincial)
- Renew trade licences as the local authority requires
- Pay EOBI and social-security contributions for staff
Check before you rely on it. Not confirmed with an official source: licence costs and registration routes are approximate. Pakistan has no central register of sole proprietorships.
After you register
- National Tax Number (NTN) with FBR; company NTN can be obtained through SECP eServices; register as a withholding agent if you pay salaries or suppliers
- Sales-tax registration (STRN, standard rate 18%) with FBR for goods, or with the provincial revenue authority (PRA, SRB, KPRA, BRA) for services
- Provincial professional tax plus EOBI and provincial social-security registration when you employ staff
- Open a corporate bank account; foreign shareholders should remit capital through banking channels and keep the inward remittance certificate for future repatriation
- File ultimate beneficial ownership (UBO) information with SECP as the regulations require
- Sector registrations: PSEB for IT exporters, DRAP for pharma, customs/WeBOC for importers and exporters, and the Board of Investment for incentives
Sources
Checked against:
Pound amounts use HMRC's exchange rates for 2026-10 and are a rough guide only.
Other countries in Asia-Pacific
This guide is general information to help you plan, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Fees, forms and rules change: check the official registry before you file, and take professional advice for anything complex. Agent and lawyer costs are typical market prices, not quotes.