IRAN LEGALEST. 1975

Practice Area

Foreign investment & market entry in Iran

Guidance for international companies and investors establishing and operating a presence in Iran.

A trusted local adviser

International companies considering Iran need a clear understanding of the legal landscape before they commit time and capital. Our lawyers advise foreign investors on the options available for doing business in Iran, the steps involved in each and the practical considerations that affect day-to-day operations.

We work in English with international clients and their in-house teams and advisers, explaining local requirements clearly and coordinating the work needed to put the chosen structure in place.

Choosing the right entry structure

Depending on the nature of the business, a foreign investor may work through a local distributor or agent, establish a representative office or branch, form a subsidiary company, or enter into a joint venture with an Iranian partner. Each route carries different implications for liability, control, tax and regulatory compliance.

We help you compare these options against your objectives and then handle the corporate, contractual and registration work required.

How we assist foreign investors

  • Market entry advice: comparing structures and the legal requirements for each.
  • Company and branch registration: forming subsidiaries and registering branches and representative offices.
  • Joint ventures: structuring and documenting partnerships with Iranian companies.
  • Commercial agreements: distribution, agency, supply and services contracts.
  • Employment and premises: hiring local staff and leasing commercial property.
  • Ongoing compliance: corporate maintenance, changes and periodic filings.

One firm for the whole picture

Investment projects touch many areas of law at once. Because Iran Legal is a full-service firm, our corporate, commercial and employment lawyers can support your project from initial planning through to established operations.

Planning for the long term

A successful investment depends on more than the initial registration. Foreign investors need to plan for how profits will be distributed, how local management will be supervised, how intellectual property and confidential information will be protected and how the investment could be restructured or exited in future.

We help clients address these questions at the planning stage, when the options are widest. Our advice draws on the full range of our practice, so that corporate structure, commercial contracts, employment arrangements and property needs fit together into a coherent whole.

Once the business is operating, we remain available as local counsel, handling corporate maintenance, contract review and new legal questions as they arise.

What to expect when you instruct us

  • Initial review: We read your documents and outline of the matter and confirm whether we can act.
  • Consultation: We discuss your objectives, your legal position and the options available.
  • Engagement: We agree the scope of work, the approach and how we will keep you informed.
  • Delivery: We carry out the work and report on each significant development.

Questions clients ask

Do you advise on international sanctions?

Sanctions questions depend on the laws of several jurisdictions, including the investor's home country. We advise on Iranian law and can work alongside your advisers in other jurisdictions where sanctions compliance needs to be considered.

Can you act as our ongoing local counsel?

Yes. Many international clients retain us as their local counsel in Iran, relying on us for corporate maintenance, contract review and new legal questions as their business develops.

Consultation

Discuss your matter with us

Write to us with a brief outline of your matter. A member of our team will reply to arrange a consultation.