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Complete RHQ license and company formation for multinational corporations in Saudi Arabia

Regional Headquarters (RHQ) Package

RHQ Package — All-Inclusive

SAR 125,000

One-time fee

RHQ Package All-Inclusive SAR 125,000

One-time fee — covers all government fees, attestations, and Motaded service charges

Included Services

Document Preparation and Attestation:

▸  Review and attestation of parent company commercial registration

▸  Verification of commercial registrations from two qualifying countries

▸  Review of audited consolidated financial statements

▸  Power of attorney drafting and authentication

▸  Apostille and Saudi embassy attestation coordination

Licensing and Incorporation:

▸  RHQ License application through MISA — all government fees included

▸  Trade name reservation (RHQ-specific, 60-day validity)

▸  Business plan and activation plan preparation

▸  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)

▸  ZATCA RHQ tax incentive registration

▸  GOSI establishment file opening

General Manager Visa and Iqama:

▸  Investor visa issuance via Enjazit

▸  Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chamber attestations

▸  Saudi embassy authorization

▸  Professional Accreditation Exam (PACC)

▸  Medical examination

▸  Work permit and Jawazat fees

▸  Medical insurance (Motaded basic package)

▸  General Manager Iqama issuance

Government Platform Activation:

▸  Qiwa platform activation

▸  Mudad WPS file opening

▸  Muqeem platform activation

▸  Absher Business linkage

▸  Etimad platform registration

Bank Account and Office:

▸  Corporate bank account opening (accelerated track)

▸  Virtual office for the first year — free

Premium Support:

▸  Dedicated Account Manager

▸  90-day post-setup support

▸  ON-CALL service during the first 90 days

▸  Activation plan support to meet 6-month mandatory activation and 12-month optional activation deadlines

Get Started

To proceed with RHQ setup or request a strategic consultation, schedule a meeting with our team. We will review your parent group structure, target activities, and timeline to confirm eligibility and define the activation roadmap.

Contact us

Prices exclude 15% VAT. VAT added at invoicing.

What is a Regional Headquarters (RHQ)?

A Regional Headquarters (RHQ) is a separate legal entity established in Saudi Arabia by a multinational group for the purpose of supporting, managing, and providing strategic direction to its branches, subsidiaries, and affiliates operating in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The RHQ Program is a joint initiative by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) and the Ministry of Investment (MISA), launched in 2021. By the end of 2025, the program had attracted more than 700 international companies — exceeding its original 2030 target of 500.

Since January 2024, multinational companies bidding for Saudi government contracts must hold an RHQ license. This makes the RHQ a strategic gateway, not just an administrative entity.

Who It's For

Multinational corporations with active operations in at least two countries outside Saudi Arabia and outside the country of their main headquarters, seeking to establish their MENA regional management hub in Riyadh.

Eligibility Requirements

▸  Parent company legally registered with operations in at least two countries other than Saudi Arabia and the country of its main headquarters

▸  Annual audited consolidated financial statements available

▸  Business plan and activation plan aligned with RHQ activities

▸  Willingness to register the RHQ as a separate legal entity in Saudi Arabia (new company or registered branch)

RHQ Program Benefits

As an RHQ license holder, the multinational group becomes eligible for a comprehensive set of incentives provided by the Saudi government and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City. Motaded ensures full activation of these benefits as part of the setup process.

Tax Incentives (30 Years)

▸  0% Corporate Income Tax on qualified RHQ activity income

▸  0% Withholding Tax on payments to non-resident related parties

▸  0% Withholding Tax on dividend distributions to the foreign parent entity

▸  0% Withholding Tax on payments to non-resident unrelated parties for services necessary to RHQ activities

Workforce and Residency Incentives

▸  10-year exemption from Saudization (Nitaqat) requirements

▸  Work permit for spouses of senior RHQ executives

▸  Extended dependent residency up to 25 years of age

▸  Exemption from professional accreditation for select roles

▸  Exemption from visa limits and accelerated visa issuance

▸  Premium Residency for 3 senior executives (1-year, renewable)

Strategic Advantages

▸  Eligibility to bid for Saudi government contracts (mandatory since January 2024)

▸  RHQ Care services — government paperwork, accommodation, logistics support

▸  Strategic positioning as the regional decision-making hub in MENA

Not Included (Available Through Separate Agreements)

  Recruitment of the 15 RHQ employees required within the first year

  Annual MISA compliance evaluation and reporting

  Transfer Pricing Policy drafting and ZATCA filings

  Premium Residency processing for the 3 senior executives

  Physical office lease and municipality license

  Ongoing HR and government relations services (available via Motaded HR packages)

Timeline

PhaseStandard TimelineNotes
Document attestation (parent country)2–4 weeksClient-dependent
MISA RHQ license reviewWithin 30 daysAfter complete submission
CR issuance + platform activation2–3 weeksParallel to MISA process
GM Iqama + bank account3–6 weeksAfter CR + GM entry to KSA
Mandatory activities activationWithin 6 monthsMISA requirement
3 optional activities activationWithin 12 monthsMISA requirement

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all government fees included in the SAR 125,000 price?

Yes. The package is end-to-end and covers all government fees for the services listed, including MISA fees. Currently, MISA fees published in the 9th edition of the MISA Service Manual (2022) are suspended under ministry review with no official announcement of new fees. When MISA fees resume, they remain included in this package price.

Is VAT included in the price?

No. The price excludes 15% VAT. VAT will be added to the invoice at the time of billing.

Can the RHQ engage in commercial activities (buying and selling)?

No. The RHQ license is restricted to RHQ activities — strategic direction, management, and the optional activities approved by MISA. For commercial operations, a separate legal entity with its own license is required. Motaded can support setting up the operating entity in parallel.

What is the parent company eligibility requirement?

The parent multinational group must have active operations in at least two countries other than Saudi Arabia and the country of its main headquarters. This is documented through copies of commercial registrations or licenses from those two qualifying countries.

What documents are required from the investor?

Required documents: parent company commercial registration, commercial registrations from two qualifying countries, latest audited consolidated financial statements, business and activation plan, and a power of attorney for Motaded — all attested by the Saudi embassy in the country of origin or via apostille.

Does the RHQ require a physical office in Saudi Arabia?

Yes. The RHQ must have a physical office in Saudi Arabia for the actual practice of management activities. Motaded provides a virtual address for the first year as part of the package, but the client must secure a physical office before the 12-month activation deadline. Motaded supports physical office search and leasing through separate agreements.

What happens if the RHQ does not activate mandatory activities on time?

MISA conducts an annual evaluation. If mandatory activities are not activated within 6 months or 3 optional activities within 12 months, MISA may issue warnings, suspend incentives, or revoke the license. Motaded provides activation plan support during the first 90 days to ensure compliance.