How Foreign Companies Can Prepare to Operate in Syria
Before committing capital or signing local contracts, a foreign company should align its intended activity, legal presence, approvals and risk controls.
Last reviewed: 9 September 2026
Begin with the intended activity
The correct legal route depends on what the company will actually do in Syria. Selling, distributing, providing services, employing staff, tendering or maintaining a representative presence may raise different establishment, licence, tax and contracting questions. A short written activity description should be prepared before selecting a structure.
Compare the available presence
A locally incorporated company, foreign-company branch, representative arrangement or contract-only model can have different consequences for liability, management and permitted operations. The choice should follow a documented comparison rather than a template used in another country.
Prepare the foreign corporate file
Registry extracts, constitutional documents, board resolutions, ownership information and powers of attorney may require current copies, legalisation and certified Arabic translation. Preparing the chain early can prevent avoidable delay.
Coordinate contracts, compliance and IP
Market entry is not complete at registration. Authority limits, employment arrangements, commercial contracts, licences, payment controls and trademark protection should be reviewed as one implementation plan.
FAQ
Should the company sign contracts before choosing a structure?
Material commitments should be reviewed first because the proposed signer, permitted activity, tax position and required approvals may affect enforceability and risk.
Can foreign counsel coordinate directly with Syrian counsel?
Yes. A defined local-counsel workstream can cover document review, procedural steps and written reporting.
This guide provides general information only. The applicable route depends on the facts, current law and a formal engagement.