| LLC | JSC | Tax Exempt Company | Free Zone Company | LLP | Branch Office | Rep Office | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Name | SARL | SA | Offshore Company | EPZ Company | SCS | Succursale | Bureau de Liaison |
| Company Setup Time | 10 days | 15 days | 15 days | 15 days | 15 days | 15 days | 15 days |
| Bank Account Opening | 15 days | 15 days | 15 days | 15 days | 15 days | 15 days | 15 days |
| Government Grants Available | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Government Contracts Bidding | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Legal Liability | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Client Required to Travel | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Inquiry | Inquiry | Inquiry | Inquiry | Inquiry | Inquiry | Inquiry |
Corporate Structure Explained
Lebanon Limited Liability Company (SARL)
- A minimum capital amount of US$ 3,400 and three shareholders is required. This business entity also requires a minimum of one director who can be of any nationality.
- An LLC in this country does not need an annual audit in case the share capital amount is less than US$ 20,000 and when the annual turnover is less than US$ 500,000. This entity must have an appointed attorney. An annual retainer fee e must be paid as fixed by the Beirut Bar Association
Lebanon Public Limited Company (SAL)
- PLCs in Lebanon must have a minimum of US$ 20,000 in paid-up share capital. Three shareholders are required and they can be residents of any country. The company’s board of directors must include three individuals. They must be a resident of Lebanon and must have at least one symbolic, “guarantee” share.
- PLCs in Lebanon must have an annual audit. A certified company auditor must be appointed and another auditor appointed by the Court of Commerce in Lebanon. A company lawyer must be nominated and an annual retainer fee paid as fixed by the Beirut Bar Association. The company can also be listed on the Beirut Stock Exchange.
Lebanon Tax Exempt Company (Offshore Company )
- For incorporation, it is required at least a minimum capital amount of US$ 20,000 and at least three shareholders who can be of any nationality. The company’s board of directors must include three individuals who can be national or foreign.
- An auditor must be appointed. There is no need to appoint a lawyer if the capital amount is less than US$ 34,000. This entity has various tax benefits available, such as a flat corporate tax of US$ 700. It also has exemption from payroll tax and easy employee visa approval.
Branch Offices (Succursale)
- The parent entity defines the scope of activities and operations of this business entity. In addition, the country’s branch offices must have their own management team along with a corporate bank account. Branch offices must obtain a work permit in the case of an appointed foreign manager, they are subject to corporate tax and branch tax, resulting in a total tax rate of 25%.
Representative offices (bureau de liaison)
- Representative offices must not conduct any direct revenue generating activities. They can do market research and promote the parent business entity. An annual audit of the entity’s financial statements is also mandatory