Includes steps involved in establishing a local office.
Last Published: 6/3/2019

A foreigner who would like to establish a business branch in Lebanon must first apply for a residency permit from the Directorate of General Security (Sûreté Générale in French) and a work permit from the Ministry of Labor.  Foreign companies also require a license to operate from the Ministry of Economy and Trade.  U.S. companies may operate through local branches, provided they obtain a “receipt of acknowledgement” from the Ministry of Economy and Trade and register in a local commercial court.  For trade activity, the company must register at one of the four regional chambers of commerce and industry.
The Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL) has a one-stop shop service to issue permits and licenses in investors for all the key sectors.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.