Zimbabwe
Corporate Guide

If there is no requirement to have a local director or shareholder in Zimbabwe, what is a foreigner required to do to register a company for tax purposes and other similar post-incorporation registrations?

All companies, except foreign companies, must have a resident director. While the term "resident director" is not defined in the Companies and Other Business Entities Act, a person is considered resident in Zimbabwe, in terms of the Citizenship Act [4:01] if they have lawfully and voluntarily established their usual place of residence in Zimbabwe, otherwise than as a visitor, to remain therein. The immigration regulations state that “resident” means any person who is lawfully within Zimbabwe otherwise than for:

• journeying through Zimbabwe in direct transit from one country to another; or 
• making a temporary visit.

A foreign company must have a principal officer who will be the person responsible for the management of its business in Zimbabwe. This person must be ordinarily resident in, or a citizen of, Zimbabwe and shall accept on behalf of the company, service of process and any notice required to be served on it. The term “resident director” is not defined in the Companies and Other Business Entities Act, however, a person is considered resident in Zimbabwe, in terms of the Citizenship Act [4:01], if they have lawfully and voluntarily established their usual place of residence in Zimbabwe, otherwise than as a visitor, to remain therein. The immigration regulations state that “resident” means any person who is lawfully in Zimbabwe for anything other than: 

• journeying through Zimbabwe in direct transit from one country to another; or 
• making a temporary visit.