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Saudi Arabia · Company setup

What will it cost to launch your business?

Get an indicative budget in a few steps—MISA and Commercial Registration, office, visas, compliance, and typical monthly operations. Tailored to your activity, structure, and team size. Guidance only; a Motaded advisor can confirm figures for your case.

Understanding setup costs in Saudi Arabia

What affects company setup cost in Saudi Arabia?

Setup cost depends on your business activity, legal structure, ownership profile, workforce and visa needs, and office type. Government fees (MISA, Commercial Registration, municipality) are only part of the picture—professional, compliance, and operational costs often represent a significant share of year-one spend.

Use the estimator above for an indicative range; Motaded advisors can refine figures once your activity and ownership structure are confirmed.

Foreign investor requirements

Foreign investors typically require MISA licensing and may face additional documentation, attestation, and timeline steps compared with Saudi or GCC-owned structures. Ownership rules vary by activity—some sectors allow 100% foreign ownership; others require local partnership or additional approvals.

Office requirements explained

Office solutions range from virtual addresses and coworking to private offices and headquarters facilities. Your choice affects setup cost, ongoing rent, Ejari/commercial address requirements, and how authorities view your operational presence in the Kingdom.

MISA licensing fees

MISA (Ministry of Investment) fees depend on investment type, activity, and structure. Branch and Regional HQ routes have different fee profiles than a standard LLC. Published schedules change—our calculator uses indicative ranges aligned with current public guidance.

Hidden operational costs

Beyond registration: VAT registration, accounting, payroll (Qiwa/GOSI), PRO services, legal review, bank account opening, and GM/dependant visas. Budget for monthly compliance and renewal cycles, not only the initial setup invoice.

How long does registration take?

Simple Saudi-owned LLC setups may complete in a few weeks when documentation is ready. Foreign-investor and complex structures often require 4–12 weeks depending on activity, approvals, and third-party processing times.

Indicative estimate only. Actual government fees, office leases, and professional charges vary by activity, ownership, and service scope. Not legal or tax advice.

Updated: May 2026 Based on published fee schedules and typical Motaded client engagements.

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We will email a summary with breakdown and next steps. Indicative only.

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Motaded setup packages

Fixed one-time packages with government and PRO services. Use the calculator above for an indicative custom range, or choose a package to get started.

Basic Package

SAR 28,500

One-time payment

Included Services

Licensing and Incorporation:

▸  MISA investment license issuance

▸  Trade name reservation

▸  Articles of Association drafting

▸  Articles of Association notarization

▸  Articles of Association publication in the official gazette

▸  Commercial Registration (CR) issuance

▸  Chamber of Commerce subscription (first year)

Government Registrations:

▸  National Address registration (SPL) — first year free

▸  ZATCA registration (Zakat and VAT)

▸  GOSI establishment file opening

Not Included

✗  Investor visa

✗  General Manager Iqama

✗  Bank account opening

✗  Qiwa, Mudad, Muqeem, Etimad, Enjazit, Absher platforms

✗  Trademark registration

Pro Package

SAR 48,600

One-time payment

Included Services

Everything in Starter, plus:

General Manager Visa and Iqama:

▸  Investor visa issuance (via Enjazit)

▸  Appointment letter and employment contract

▸  Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chamber of Commerce attestations

▸  Saudi embassy authorization

▸  Professional Accreditation Exam (PACC)

▸  Medical examination

▸  Work permit

▸  Passport (Jawazat) fees

▸  Medical insurance (Motaded basic package)

▸  General Manager Iqama issuance

Government Platform Activation:

▸  Qiwa platform activation + GM registration

▸  Mudad file opening + WPS activation

▸  Muqeem platform activation (Basic tier, 1-9 employees)

▸  Absher platform — GM linkage

▸  GOSI — GM registration as first employee

▸  Etimad platform — establishment registration

Bank Account:

▸  Corporate bank account opening (standard timeline: 2-3 weeks)

Support:

▸  30-day post-setup support

Not Included

✗  Guaranteed bank account opening within a specific timeframe

✗  Additional employee visas

✗  Physical or virtual office

✗  Trademark registration

✗  Dedicated account manager

Inclusive Package

SAR 77,250

One-time payment

Included Services

Everything in Pro, plus:

Accelerated Bank Account:

▸  Corporate bank account opening within 3 business days

Condition: General Manager physically present in Riyadh.

Premium Support:

▸  90-day post-setup support

▸  Dedicated Account Manager

▸  ON-CALL service during the first 90 days

▸  Strategic pre-setup consultation session

Added Value at No Cost:

▸  Virtual address for the first year — free

Note: Does not include lease contract or municipality license.

On-Demand Preferential Services:

▸  3 additional employee visas and Iqamas — at preferential rates

▸  Trademark registration (SAIP) — at preferential rate

These services are charged separately when requested.

HR & Workforce Support Packages

Additional HR support services for hiring, onboarding, workforce management, payroll setup, and employee compliance in Saudi Arabia.

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HR & Workforce Support Packages

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to open a company in Saudi Arabia?

Most SMEs see indicative setup ranges from roughly SAR 45,000 to SAR 120,000+ depending on structure, visas, and office—use the calculator for a range tailored to your inputs.

Is office rental mandatory?

Requirements depend on structure and activity. Many routes require a valid commercial address; virtual and coworking solutions may be acceptable for certain activities—confirm for your license type.

Can foreigners own 100%?

Many activities allow 100% foreign ownership under MISA; others are restricted or require local participation. Your activity code determines eligibility.

What is MISA?

The Ministry of Investment (MISA) regulates and facilitates foreign investment, including licensing for many company types in Saudi Arabia.

How long does the setup process take?

Maximum 90 days from MISA license submission to bank account opening for foreign investors. Saudi investors complete setup within 180 seconds to 2 business days. GCC investors complete within 2 business days.

Are government fees included in the package price?

Yes. Each package price is end-to-end and includes all government fees for the services listed in that package. Bank fees, sectoral licensing fees outside the scope, and any service explicitly excluded are not included.

Is VAT included in the price?

No. All prices exclude 15% VAT. VAT will be added to the invoice at the time of billing.

Can I upgrade my package later?

Yes. You may upgrade from Starter to Pro, or from Pro to Inclusive, by paying the price difference. Contact us to confirm upgrade terms before initiation.

What documents do I need to provide?

Foreign investors must provide: commercial registration from home country, Articles of Association of the parent company, latest audited financial statements, and a power of attorney for Motaded — all attested by the Saudi embassy in the investor's country or via apostille.

What if I need a custom solution?

For Regional Headquarters (RHQ), entrepreneur licenses, foreign branches, or sector-specific licensing (SFDA, Ministry of Industry, SAMA), please contact us for a custom proposal.