Obtaining an investment license
Obtaining an Investment License and the Services of Saramad Pouyandegan Hagh
Foreign Investment License (FIPPA)
Foreign investors and Iranians residing abroad may benefit from the protections provided under the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Act (FIPPA), provided that they bring in capital of foreign origin and meet the applicable legal requirements.
Main steps for obtaining a license:
- Conducting a legal and economic review of the project and selecting the investment structure;
- Preparing identification documents, documents establishing the origin of the capital, and project information;
- Submitting an application to the Organization for Investment, Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran;
- Review, approval, and issuance of the license;
- Bringing in and registering the capital, and obtaining the permits required to conduct the relevant activities.
Services Offered by the Institute
Saramad Pouyandegan Hagh International Consulting Institute (SPH), within the scope of its professional qualifications and in cooperation with licensed specialists, may provide the following services:
- Legal advice, risk assessment, and due diligence on partners and projects;
- Preparation and follow-up of foreign investment license applications;
- Coordination of company registration and the obtaining of relevant permits;
- Drafting partnership, shareholders’ and commercial agreements;
- Guidance on bringing in and registering capital and legally transferring profits;
- Legal support and coordination of residency matters, taxation, and dispute resolution.
Cooperation process: Receiving preliminary information, presenting a roadmap, entering into a service agreement, preparing and following up on the application file, and providing periodic progress reports.
Important note: Within the framework of the law, a FIPPA license provides investment protection and allows the transfer of investment principal and profits. However, it does not replace company registration or an operating permit, nor does it guarantee profitability or permanent residency. The Institute’s commitment is to provide services and professional follow-up—not to guarantee the issuance of a license or a return on investment.
Principal Authorities for Foreign Investment in Iran
Organization for Investment, Economic and Te
chnical Assistance of Iran (OIETAI)
The principal government body responsible for foreign investment, operating under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance. It is responsible for receiving and reviewing applications and following up on the issuance of foreign investment licenses under the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Act (FIPPA).
Foreign Investment Board
The body responsible for reviewing and deciding on foreign investment applications within the framework of the law. The Board is not an independent organization providing services to the general public.
Provincial Investment Service Centers
Provincial points of contact for presenting investment opportunities, guiding investors, and coordinating with local authorities. They generally operate within the provincial General Directorates of Economic Affairs and Finance.
Related and Supporting Bodies
| Organization | Role in Foreign Investment |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance | Policymaking and overall supervision in the investment sector, and coordination among economic authorities. |
| Secretariat of the Supreme Council of Free Trade–Industrial and Special Economic Zones | Coordination of matters concerning free and special economic zones, and follow-up on investment issues within these zones. |
| Free Zone Organizations | Presenting opportunities, receiving investors, and following up on operating permits within each zone. |
| Trade Promotion Organization of Iran | Facilitating international trade relations, presenting business capacities and opportunities, and establishing connections with trade delegations. It is not the principal authority for issuing FIPPA licenses. |
| Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade and its Provincial Organizations | Permits and sector-specific matters relating to industrial, mining, and commercial projects. |
| Iran Small Industries and Industrial Parks Organization and its Provincial Companies | Presenting industrial establishment opportunities, land, and infrastructure in industrial parks. |
| Securities and Exchange Organization | Regulations and permits relating to foreign financing. |
| Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture and Joint Chambers of Commerce | Establishing connections with business partners, economic delegations, and investors. These chambers are not government authorities that issue investment licenses. |
Provincial Investment Service Centers
For provincial follow-up, the appropriate title to use when searching or corresponding is generally:
“Investment Service Center of … Province”
For searches or correspondence in Persian: «مرکز خدمات سرمایهگذاری استان …»
Provincial Groupings
| Group | Provinces |
|---|---|
| 1 | East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, Ardabil, Isfahan, Alborz |
| 2 | Ilam, Bushehr, Tehran, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, South Khorasan |
| 3 | Razavi Khorasan, North Khorasan, Khuzestan, Zanjan, Semnan |
| 4 | Sistan and Baluchestan, Fars, Qazvin, Qom, Kurdistan |
| 5 | Kerman, Kermanshah, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Golestan, Gilan |
| 6 | Lorestan, Mazandaran, Markazi, Hormozgan, Hamadan, Yazd |
For Correspondence by Pouyandegan Hagh Institute
The best starting point is the Organization for Investment, Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran, followed by the Investment Service Center of the province where the project will be implemented.
If the project is located in a free zone, the organization responsible for that zone should also be included in the coordination process.
