/ Pakistan company registration
Register a Pakistani company, properly
From SECP registration to tax and PSEB registration, a clear route for local founders, overseas owners and foreign companies entering Pakistan.
/ who it is for
Is this the right fit?
Overseas Pakistanis and foreign owners setting up locally
IT and software exporters looking to register with PSEB
/ your options
Entity and registration options
Private limited company
The most common structure for businesses with more than one owner. Limited liability for shareholders.
Single-member company
A company with a single shareholder, a good fit for a solo founder who wants limited liability.
Sole proprietorship or partnership
Simpler arrangements for smaller operations. We explain the trade-offs.
/ step by step
How it works
- 01 Choose structure and name We agree the entity type and reserve a company name. Typically a few days
- 02 SECP registration Incorporation documents are prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan. Typically typically days to a few weeks
- 03 Tax registration National Tax Number registration with the FBR, and sales tax registration where applicable.
- 04 PSEB registration For IT and IT-enabled services exporters, registration with the Pakistan Software Export Board.
- 05 Banking and compliance setup Guidance on opening a company bank account and setting up your filing calendar.
What we take care of
- Entity and name recommendation
- Preparing and submitting SECP filings
- Tax registration support
- PSEB registration support for eligible businesses
- A compliance calendar for recurring filings
What we will need from you
- CNIC or passport for each director and shareholder
- Proof of address
- Proposed company names and business activity
- For overseas owners, any documents that need attestation
/ after setup
Staying compliant
SECP annual filings
Companies file annual returns and financial statements with SECP.
Tax returns
Income tax returns and, where applicable, sales tax returns are due on set dates.
Maintaining records
Statutory registers and accounting records must be kept up to date.
/ compare
US and Pakistan, side by side
A quick way to see how the two compare. Details always depend on your situation.
US company formation
- Registering authority
- State filing office, plus the IRS for tax ID
- Main entity types
- LLC, C-Corporation and others
- Tax registration
- EIN from the IRS
- Local presence
- A registered agent in the state of formation. Founders do not always need to live there.
- Typical timeline
- Often days to a few weeks, depending on state and processing times
- Recurring each year
- State annual report and franchise or annual taxes, plus federal reporting
- Often a fit for
- Selling to US customers, US payment platforms and US investors
Pakistan company registration
- Registering authority
- SECP for the company, FBR for tax, PSEB for IT exporters
- Main entity types
- Private limited, single-member, sole proprietorship, partnership and others
- Tax registration
- National Tax Number (NTN), plus sales tax registration if applicable
- Local presence
- A registered office address in Pakistan
- Typical timeline
- Often days to a few weeks, depending on the registrations needed
- Recurring each year
- SECP annual filings and tax returns
- Often a fit for
- Operating in Pakistan, local hiring and local customers, and registering as an IT exporter
The information on this page is general and is not legal, tax or accounting advice. Requirements change and depend on your circumstances, so confirm important decisions with a qualified professional in the relevant country. We will always tell you which steps we perform ourselves and which are handled by a third party. Timelines are typical ranges, not guarantees.
/ questions
Good questions, plain answers
Can a foreigner or overseas Pakistani own a Pakistani company?
Generally yes, though documentation requirements differ for overseas owners and may include attestation. We explain what applies to you.
What is PSEB registration?
The Pakistan Software Export Board registers companies exporting IT and IT-enabled services. Whether it suits you depends on your business, and we will tell you plainly.
How many directors do I need?
It depends on the company type. Single-member companies need one, while private limited companies typically need more. We confirm the current requirements for your case.
Do I need a Pakistani office?
A registered office address in Pakistan is required for the company. We can discuss practical options.
/ next step
Ready to set up in Pakistan?
Tell us about you and your plans. We will reply by email with the questions we need answered and the route we would suggest.
The information on this page is general and is not legal, tax or accounting advice. Requirements change and depend on your circumstances, so confirm important decisions with a qualified professional in the relevant country. We will always tell you which steps we perform ourselves and which are handled by a third party. Timelines are typical ranges, not guarantees.