Business Setup in Saudi Arabia | Process Setup Services - Motaded

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Business company formation MISA license Saudi Arabia foreign investment
Set up a company in Saudi Arabia with Motaded. From MISA license to bank account opening — 23 steps managed end to end. Serving 281 establishments from multinationals to SMEs.
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Service overview

Setting up a company in Saudi Arabia :


Setting up a company in Saudi Arabia requires six steps: MISA investment license, commercial registration, ZATCA registration, GOSI registration, Qiwa activation, and bank account opening. Total time: 2 to 6 weeks.

Motaded manages the full setup process :


Motaded manages the full setup process for multinational corporations, regional groups, SMEs, and individual investors. We serve 281 establishments across 8 sectors in Saudi Arabia. Use our setup cost calculator to estimate your total investment.

Foreign investors can own 100% of a company :


Foreign investors can own 100% of a company in most sectors under the Saudi Investment Law effective February 2025. Official fees start from SAR 1,600 for commercial registration plus SAR 500 and 15% VAT. MISA license fees are currently suspended. After setup, our PRO services team manages ongoing compliance across Qiwa, GOSI, Mudad, and ZATCA.
 

Full 23 Steps Reference (For Body and Work Tracks Use)

 

Step 1 — Document Authentication

Attest all investor documents via the Saudi embassy in the investor's home country or Apostille. All documents must be notarized and authenticated before submission to any Saudi government authority.

 

Step 2 — Trade Name Reservation

Reserve the trade name to align with the MISA investment license, the articles of association, and the Commercial Register. The same name must appear consistently across all three documents.

 

Step 3 — Submit MISA Application

After receiving copies of the authenticated documents, submit the application to the Ministry of Investment (MISA). Required documents vary by activity type. Number of years of audited financial statements required depends on the activity — some activities require 1 year, others such as engineering consultancy require up to 4 years. Motaded advises on the exact requirement for your activity before submission.

 

Step 4 — Obtain MISA Approval and Investment License

Receive approval and issuance of the MISA investment license. MISA license fees are currently suspended until further notice. Official SLA: 3–5 business days. With Motaded: 7–10 business days.

 

Step 5 — Draft Articles of Association

Draft the articles of association in accordance with the investor's requirements and the company structure. The articles must comply with the Companies Law and align with the MISA license, trade name, and CR.

 

Step 6 — Issue Commercial Registration

Issue the Commercial Registration (CR) via the Ministry of Commerce. Fees: SAR 1,600 for joint-stock companies and foreign branches, SAR 1,200 for LLC, plus SAR 500 publication fee and 15% VAT. Official SLA: 1–3 business days. With Motaded: 3–5 business days.

 

Step 7 — Chamber of Commerce Registration

Open an account in the Chamber of Commerce. Required for issuing company letters, certificates of origin, and vendor qualification for government tenders.

 

Step 8 — Ministry of Human Resources Account Activation

Activate the company's account with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD). Required before activating Qiwa platform and issuing any work visas.

 

Step 9 — Qiwa Platform Activation

Activate the Qiwa platform under the Ministry of Human Resources. Required for employment contract authentication, work permit issuance, and workforce management. See our Qiwa platform guide for full activation steps.

 

Step 10 — Issue Investor Visa (CEO Position) via Qiwa

Issue the investor visa for the CEO position via Qiwa platform. This visa is issued for the person who will hold the CEO or General Manager position as specified in the articles of association.

 

Step 11 — Visa Authorization via Enjaz Platform

After 3–5 days from visa issuance on Qiwa, authorize the visa via the Enjaz platform. The investor must select the approved office in their home country or the person named as General Manager in the articles of association at the Saudi embassy to collect the visa.

 

Step 12 — Issue Appointment Letter for General Manager

Issue a company letter appointing the investor as General Manager, certified by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce and the Saudi Council of Chambers. Send to the investor or General Manager before their entry into Saudi Arabia.

 

Step 13 — Draft Employment Contract Between Investor and Company

Draft the contractual employment relationship between the investor or General Manager and the Saudi company. Certify through the Saudi Chamber of Commerce and the Saudi Council of Chambers. Send certified copies to the investor or General Manager.

 

Step 14 — GOSI Account Activation

Activate the company's account with the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI). Required for employee social insurance contributions. Free of charge.

 

Step 15 — Mudad Platform Activation

Activate the Mudad platform under GOSI. Required for payroll processing and Wage Protection System (WPS) compliance. See our Mudad payroll service for full management.

 

Step 16 — ZATCA File Activation

Activate the company's file with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA). Required for Zakat, VAT, and Corporate Income Tax compliance. Free of charge.

 

Step 17 — Issue VAT Certificate

Issue the VAT registration certificate from ZATCA. Mandatory before issuing any taxable invoices. Required for companies with annual revenue above SAR 375,000.

 

Step 18 — Issue Zakat Certificate

Issue the Zakat certificate from ZATCA. Foreign investors who are not Saudi or GCC nationals are eligible for Zakat exemption. Motaded confirms eligibility before filing.

 

Step 19 — SPL National Address Activation

Activate the company's national address on the Saudi Post (SPL) Wasl platform. This is the company's official virtual national address in Saudi Arabia. Required for government correspondence and CR documentation. Motaded provides the virtual address as part of the setup service — the investor does not need a physical office at this stage. See our virtual address service.

 

Step 20 — Muqeem Platform Activation

Activate the Muqeem platform under the Ministry of Interior. Required for managing employee residence permits (Iqama), passport updates, and exit/re-entry permits. See our PRO services for ongoing Muqeem management.

 

Step 21 — Issue General Manager Iqama

After the General Manager or investor enters Saudi Arabia, issue their Iqama (residence permit) via Muqeem platform. Managed by Motaded's PRO services team.

 

Step 22 — Open General Manager Personal Bank Account

Open a personal bank account for the General Manager with a Saudi bank. Required before opening the company account. The Iqama is required for personal account opening. Official SLA: 5–10 business days. With Motaded: 2–3 weeks.

 

Step 23 — Open Company Bank Account

Open the corporate bank account with a Saudi bank for capital deposits, payroll via Mudad, and ZATCA payments. Requires the General Manager's personal account to be active. Official SLA: 5–10 business days. With Motaded: 2–3 weeks including document preparation and bank coordination.

Service snapshot

Beneficiary group

Multinational corporations and regional groups entering Saudi Arabia through subsidiary, branch, or RHQ program. Mid-size companies expanding from GCC markets. SMEs and individual investors setting up their first Saudi entity. Companies in regulated sectors requiring sectoral licensing alongside setup.

Service Duration

MISA license: 3–5 business days official | 7–10 days with Motaded. See MISA platform guide. Commercial registration: 1–3 business days official | 3–5 days with Motaded. Full setup: 2 to 6 weeks.

Objectives

Enable foreign investors to set up a company in Saudi Arabia with 100% ownership in most sectors without a Saudi partner, under the Saudi Investment Law effective February 2025.
Ensure full compliance from day one across MISA, Ministry of Commerce, ZATCA, GOSI, and Qiwa — all 23 setup steps managed in parallel to reduce total time to 2–6 weeks.
Handle all document authentication, trade name reservation, articles of association drafting, visa issuance, and government platform activation — from the investor's home country to full operational status in Saudi Arabia.
Support multinational corporations in establishing Regional Headquarters (RHQ) in Riyadh for government contracts and tax exemptions, and qualify companies for the SAR 1 trillion Saudi government market through GRO services after setup.

Work Tracks

New Foreign Company (LLC or Simplified JSC)

Track 1 — New Foreign Company (LLC or Simplified JSC)
The full 23-step path for a foreign investor establishing a new LLC or Simplified Joint Stock Company in Saudi Arabia. Covers: document authentication, trade name reservation, MISA license, articles of association, CR issuance, Chamber of Commerce, HRSD, Qiwa, investor visa via Enjaz, appointment letter, employment contract, GOSI, Mudad, ZATCA, VAT certificate, Zakat certificate, SPL national address, Muqeem, General Manager Iqama, personal bank account, and company bank account.

Branch of a Foreign Company or RHQ

For established multinationals opening a branch or Regional Headquarters in Saudi Arabia. Follows the same 23-step path as Track 1 with adjustments for branch structure: the parent company's articles of association replace the new articles of association step, and the branch fiscal year registration is required at CR submission. RHQ setup includes Etimad registration and government vendor qualification after the CR is issued.

Regulated Sector Setup

For companies in healthcare, food, pharmaceuticals, engineering consultancy, financial services, or industrial sectors that require sectoral licensing in addition to the standard 23-step path. Sectoral licensing runs in parallel after the CR is issued: SFDA for healthcare and food, Ministry of Industry for manufacturing, SAMA for financial services. Engineering consultancy activities may require audited financial statements for up to 4 years from the parent company as part of the MISA application. Motaded advises on the exact requirements before submission.

Advantages

100% foreign ownership permitted in most sectors under the Saudi Investment Law 2024 — no Saudi partner required.
MISA license fees currently suspended — significantly reduces setup costs compared to previous years.
Commercial registration issued within 1–3 business days via the Saudi Business Center digital platform.
No mandatory minimum capital for LLC and Simplified JSC in most sectors.
Equal rights for foreign investors as Saudi investors under the Investment Law — including full profit repatriation.
Access to Saudi Arabia's government market (SAR 1 trillion+ annual budget) through GRO qualification after setup.
Work permits at reduced fees for industrial sector companies — SAR 100 per employee (down from SAR 9,700).

Steps to Obtain

Document Authentication and Trade Name Reservation

Attest all investor documents via the Saudi embassy or Apostille. Reserve the trade name to align with the MISA license, articles of association, and CR — the same name must appear on all three documents.

MISA Investment License

Submit application to the Ministry of Investment (MISA) after receiving authenticated documents. Required documents and financial statement years vary by activity type. Motaded advises on exact requirements before submission. Official SLA: 3–5 business days. With Motaded: 7–10 business days. MISA fees currently suspended.

Commercial Registration and Articles of Association

Draft the articles of association per investor requirements and issue the CR via the Ministry of Commerce. LLC fees: SAR 1,200. Joint Stock and Foreign Branch: SAR 1,600. Plus SAR 500 publication fee and 15% VAT. Official SLA: 1–3 business days. With Motaded: 3–5 business days.

Government Platform Activation and Visa Issuance

Activate GOSI, Qiwa, Mudad, ZATCA, and HRSD accounts. Issue the investor visa for the CEO/General Manager position via Qiwa, then authorize via Enjaz platform after 3–5 days. Issue company appointment letter and employment contract certified by the Chamber of Commerce.

National Address, Iqama, and Bank Accounts

Activate the SPL national address and Muqeem platform. After the General Manager enters Saudi Arabia, issue their Iqama. Then open the General Manager's personal bank account followed by the company bank account. Motaded provides the virtual national address as part of the setup service — no physical office needed at this stage.

Areas of Work

1. LLC formation for foreign investors — most common structure with 100% ownership and no mandatory minimum capital.
2. Simplified Joint Stock Company — for startups and companies planning future investment rounds or incubator programs.
3. Branch of a foreign company — for established multinationals extending their parent company.
4. Regional Headquarters (RHQ) in Riyadh — for multinationals qualifying for government contracts. See GRO services for qualification support.
5. Sectoral licensing — SFDA for healthcare and food, Ministry of Industry for manufacturing, SAMA for financial services. See our sector guides.
6. Post-setup activation — GOSI, ZATCA, Qiwa, Mudad, and bank account after CR issuance.
7. Company amendments — activities, capital, ownership, or management changes. See MISA license amendment service.

Extra data

The Full 23-Step Setup Path — Managed by Motaded
Service

The Full 23-Step Setup Path — Managed by Motaded

Setting up a company in Saudi Arabia involves 23 steps across 9 government entities: the Saudi embassy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Investment, Ministry of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce, Ministry of Human Resources, GOSI, ZATCA, and the Ministry of Interior.

Motaded manages all 23 steps on behalf of the investor — from document authentication in the home country to company bank account opening in Saudi Arabia. The investor's involvement is limited to document signing and entry into the Kingdom for Iqama issuance.

We serve 281 establishments across 8 sectors — from multinational corporations and regional groups entering Saudi Arabia for the first time, to individual investors setting up their first entity.

Who Uses This Service
Service

Who Uses This Service

This service is used by multinational corporations entering Saudi Arabia through a subsidiary, branch, or RHQ — regional companies expanding from GCC markets — SMEs and entrepreneurs registering their first Saudi entity — and companies in regulated sectors including healthcare, food, pharmaceuticals, engineering consultancy, financial services, and industrial who need sectoral licensing alongside the standard setup path.

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FAQs

Q:  How long does company formation take in Saudi Arabia?

A:  Company formation in Saudi Arabia takes 2 to 6 weeks. MISA license: 3–5 working days. Commercial registration: 1–3 days. Bank account opening: 1–2 weeks. Full activation: 2–4 weeks total.

Q:  Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Saudi Arabia?

A:  Yes. Under the Saudi Investment Law 2024, foreigners can own 100% of companies in most sectors including services, technology, and manufacturing. A Saudi partner is only required in specific restricted activities. See Saudi Partners advisory for structured partnership options.

Q:  What is the minimum capital to set up a company in Saudi Arabia?

A:  For an LLC and Simplified JSC there is no mandatory minimum capital in most sectors. Trading licenses require SAR 10 million capital and 4 international branches. Use our setup cost calculator for a full cost estimate.

Q:  What documents are required for MISA license?

A:  Required: company articles of association, board resolution to invest in Saudi Arabia, certificate of incorporation from home country, audited financial statements for last 2 years, passport copies of directors, and power of attorney if applicable. All must be notarized and attested. Our translation services handle certified Arabic translation and MOFA attestation.

Q:  What are the official fees for company formation in Saudi Arabia?

A:  Commercial Registration: SAR 1,600. Publication fee: SAR 500. VAT: 15% on both. MISA license fees currently suspended. GOSI registration free. ZATCA registration free. See setup packages and pricing for Motaded service fees.

Q:  What types of companies can foreigners establish in Saudi Arabia?

A:  Foreign investors can establish: LLC, Simplified Joint Stock Company, Joint Stock Company, or a Branch of a foreign company. The LLC and Simplified JSC are most common. For companies entering free zones, additional structure options apply.

Q:  Is a Saudi partner required for foreign companies?

A:  No. Since the Investment Law 2024, most sectors allow 100% foreign ownership. Exceptions include certain real estate activities and activities on the restricted negative list. See Saudi Partners advisory for when a partner adds commercial value.

Q:  What is the difference between LLC and Simplified JSC in Saudi Arabia?

A:  LLC: suitable for 1 to 50 partners, flexible management, most common for foreign investors. Simplified JSC: unlimited shareholders, easier share transfers, better for future investment rounds. Both allow 100% foreign ownership. After setup, both require HR compliance via Qiwa and payroll via Mudad.

Q:  What is the Regional Headquarters RHQ program in Saudi Arabia?

A:  The RHQ program requires multinational companies to relocate their regional headquarters to Riyadh to continue receiving Saudi government contracts. Companies registered under RHQ get tax exemptions and streamlined licensing. See GRO services for RHQ qualification support.

Q:  What are the Special Economic Zones in Saudi Arabia?

A:  Saudi Arabia has 5 Special Economic Zones offering 5% corporate tax for 20 years, 0% withholding tax permanently, and deferred customs duties. See our Free Zones guide for a full breakdown of each zone and eligibility requirements.