Afghanistan - Register a Business

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Procedure

The registration of a business in Afghanistan takes seven days and currently costs about US $135. The basic steps are:

• Register at the Afghanistan Central Business Registry (ACBR) and obtain Tax Identification Number (TIN)
• Pay registration and publication fees at Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) branch
• Obtain business license from AISA
• Receive inspection (AISA)
• Further information is at www.aisa.org.af/english/licensing.html

The investor should personally visit AISA office to complete the process of license acquisition. Otherwise, an authorized representative of the investor should be present in AISA for this task.

Register the company and obtain Tax Identification Number (TIN) Specifications of all new businesses and investments are collected from AISA by the Afghanistan Central Business Registry (ACBR) office and sent to the Ministry of Justice in Kabul for publication in the Official Gazette.

Pay the registration, publication and license fees Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA) issues a bill to be paid at the cashier located in counter 19 of the one-stop shop.

Obtain the license from AISA

Once the application is accepted and the fees are paid at AISA's cashier, the business license is obtained from the Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA).

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Required Documents

• An application form (available online)
• Copy of ID or passport of the Director(s)
• 2 sets of color passport photographs of Director(s)
• Articles of Incorporation
• Tax Identification form

Office Locations & Contacts

Afghan Investment Support Agency (AISA) Regional Offices
Contact Afghanistan Central Business Registry (ACBR)

Eligibility

In order to operate a business legally in Afghanistan it needs to obtain a business license. This license is awarded through AISA and is to be renewed yearly. Certain industries, e.g. the Health Sector, require an additional license from the respective ministries. Both need to be obtained prior to starting business operations. Below please find detailed information on both the AISA license as well as all other additional licenses. Please check with Investor Support Department whether or not your type of business requires such an additional license.

Fees

The registration of a company in Afghanistan costs about US $135.

Validity

Any domestic and foreign firm willing to legally operate in Afghanistan requires a business license. This license is awarded by Afghanistan Investment Support agency (AISA) and is renewed by the agency on annual basis. However, companies investing in certain industries, such as Health sector require an additional license from the respective ministries besides the AISA license before starting their operations in the country.

Documents to Use

Registration forms

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

The registration of a business in Afghanistan takes seven days.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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Instructions

The Afghan Investment Support Agency (AISA) is responsible for registering all foreign and domestic businesses in Afghanistan and assisting companies with navigating the multitude of profitable investment opportunities in Afghanistan.

Required Information

• Name of the company
• Name of the president and vice president of the company
• Location
• Initial Capital
• Type of Operation
• Type of Activity

Need for the Document

The Afghan Investment Support Agency AISA has been created in order to attract and facilitate domestic and foreign investment. Therefore, it is the objective of AISA's staff to assist the investor wherever possible.

Information which might help

The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the leading private sector organization in Afghanistan. They can also assist prospective investors to find partners and navigate the exciting Afghan market. Their global partners include:

• Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce (McLean, VA)
• Afghan Business Council in Dubai

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

• Afghanistan is strategically located between the energy-rich republics of Central Asia and the major seaports in South Asia providing a key transit route for central Asian oil and gas to markets in South Asia as well as overseas. Also Afghanistan has natural access to markets of neighboring countries including important fast-growing markets such as China, India and Pakistan.
• The principles of a free market economy are incorporated in the new Constitution {art. 10} just as the growth of the private sector is a cornerstone of the National Development Strategy. Consequently the President as well as the Government has focused intensely on removing obstacles to private sector development.
• Afghanistan is remarkably rich in mineral resources. There are currently more than 1,400 identified mineral deposits. These include energy minerals such as oil, gas and coal as well as iron and copper deposits of world quality. Furthermore known precious and semi-precious stones in Afghanistan include emerald, jade, amethyst, alabaster, beryl, lapis lazuli, tourmaline, ruby, quartz, and sapphire. Finally great opportunities for investments exist within the hydrocarbons industry.
• Following the national privatization program most of the major state-owned enterprises have been slated for international tender 2006-2008 which has made entry into all these sectors easier.

External Links

http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/afghanistan/starting-a-business

http://www.aisa.org.af

http://acbr.gov.af

Others

The applicant is expected to provide all correct information in the application form. Since incorrect information will disable the applicant to acquire license. Furthermore, if incorrectness of the provided information is proved after the issuance of license, the investors' license will be immediately terminated and the right of investment will be lost. All information that will be required including information concerning Govt. tax payments, bank loans and ability of paying for losses shall be based on courts decisions or within legal forum.