Your One-Stop-Shop for Business Setup in Saudi Arabia

Foreign investors are indeed permitted to establish commercial entities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The process is administered by the Ministry of Investment (MISA) under the Foreign Investment Law.

However, the specific requirements for licensing, capital, and legal structure are not uniform. They are precisely tailored and contingent upon the nature of the proposed commercial activities and the economic sector in which the business will operate.

The selection of an optimal corporate structure in Saudi Arabia is a strategic decision contingent upon the parent company's objectives regarding liability, governance, and operational autonomy. For foreign investors, the two principal vehicles are the Branch Office and the Limited Liability Company (LLC) subsidiary.

• Branch Office
  A Branch Office operates as a legal extension of the foreign parent company, not as a separate entity. This structure is strategically advantageous for large, multinational corporations where centralized control and brand consistency are paramount. All activities and liabilities of the branch are legally considered those of the parent company.
• Subsidiary (Limited Liability Company - LLC)
  A Subsidiary LLC is a distinct Saudi-registered legal entity that provides a "corporate veil," insulating the foreign parent company from the subsidiarys debts and liabilities. This structure affords greater operational flexibility and more agile local governance, making it the recommended choice for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) or any venture where limited liability and local autonomy are primary considerations.

Other structures are available depending on the business's required structure, like:

• JV: Joint Venture
• JSC: Joint Stock Company
• SJSC: Simplified Joint Stock Company

To complete the business setup, registrations and approvals are required across the following portals:

• Ministry of Investment
• Ministry of Commerce (AOA-CR – COC)
• Ministry of Labor
• Saudi Business Center
• General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI)
• Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA)
• WASEL
• QIWA
• MUQEEM
• MUDAD

Note: Other registrations, approvals, and licenses can be required based on the nature of the activities.

Several critical factors and procedural variables influence the time required to complete the company registration process. Key determinants include, but are not limited to, the General Manager's prompt availability for mandatory in-person procedures, specifically signing at the Chamber of Commerce, initiating the residency permit application, and establishing the corporate bank account.

Empirical data suggests that the overall duration for this comprehensive setup typically ranges from two to four months.

Unlike the other types of licenses, the commercial License's main Requirements:

• A copy of the commercial register in at least (3) regional or international markets.
• The minimum capital required is (30) million Saudi Riyals.
• The company shall comply to invest an amount of no less than (300) million Saudi Riyals (including 30 million Saudi Riyals as the cash capital of the company) over five years starting from the date of obtaining the investment license.

Saudization, officially codified as the Nitaqat Program, is the Saudi Arabian government's national initiative to localize its workforce. Its fundamental purpose is to accelerate the placement of Saudi citizens in private sector employment.

The Nitaqat system operates as a tiered regulatory mechanism, classifying private entities based on the percentage of Saudi nationals employed within their total workforce. The mandatory compliance quota is dynamically determined by:

• Economic Sector and Business Activities: Requirements vary across different industries.
• Entity Size: The total employee headcount dictates the severity of the mandated quota.

A firm's operational privileges and access to governmental services are directly tied to its classification status:

• Platinum - Green: Compliant; meeting or exceeding the required quota. Full access to MHRSD services, including expedited expatriate visa processing and work permit renewals.
• Red: Non-compliant; significantly below the required quota. Imposition of severe statutory restrictions, including suspension of new visa issuances and limitations on work permit renewals.

Non-compliance with Saudization requirements can result in significant and multi-faceted administrative and financial penalties imposed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD).

The primary consequences include the suspension or restriction of essential government services, which critically impede normal business operations. These operational restrictions typically encompass the freezing of the entity's ability to:

• Process new work visas or renew existing work permits (Iqama) for expatriate employees, including the General Manager.
• Modify employee status, such as processing employee transfers.
• Renew vital commercial and operational licenses, including the Commercial Registration (CR).
• Access key government electronic platforms (e.g., Qiwa).
• Participate in or bid on government tenders and projects.

Furthermore, non-compliant firms may be subject to financial penalties (fines), with amounts determined by factors such as the company's size and the severity of the violation.

It is required to update the licenses on an annual basis.

The core taxation for foreign businesses operating in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the Corporate Income Tax (CIT), which is levied at a standard rate of 20% on the entity's net adjusted profit attributable to the non-Saudi ownership portion.

However, a comprehensive overview must acknowledge the broader fiscal obligations:

• Corporate Income Tax (CIT): 20% of net adjusted profit for the foreign shareholder's portion.
• Value Added Tax (VAT): Businesses must comply with the standard VAT rate, currently set at 15% on the supply of goods and services, provided their annual revenues exceed the mandatory registration threshold.
• Withholding Tax (WHT): Applied to payments made by a resident entity to a non-resident entity for services and royalties. Domestic WHT rates vary significantly, typically ranging from 5% to 20% depending on the nature of the payment (e.g., dividends, interest, rent, technical, or management fees).
• Zakat: Saudi and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) national shareholders are subject to Zakat, an Islamic assessment, typically at 2.5% on their share of the company's Zakat base, while the foreign share remains subject to CIT.

In summary, the principal direct tax liability for foreign investors is the 20% CIT on net profit, supplemented by the mandatory compliance with WHT and VAT obligations.

Saudi regulations require businesses to maintain a corporate bank account for commercial transactions and financial activities. Using personal accounts for company transactions is not permitted; a corporate bank account is necessary for payroll, vendor payments, and compliance with tax and financial reporting requirements.

Compliance post-incorporation necessitates a multifaceted, sustained engagement with the Kingdom's regulatory environment.

To ensure continuous adherence to all legal and statutory mandates, your organization must utilize comprehensive post-setup services that strategically cover critical operational domains:

• Human Resources and Workforce Management: This involves meticulous compliance with Saudization quotas, the Wage Protection System (WPS), and all relevant labor regulations. Specialized assistance includes recruitment, processing work visas and residency permits (Iqama), and updating employee status.
• Government Relations (P.R.O. Services): Maintaining regulatory standing requires proficient management of all government and ministerial interactions, documentation filings, and license renewals to avoid service suspension.
• Fiscal and Statutory Accounting: This encompasses full financial fidelity, including accurate payroll management, timely payment processing, rigorous preparation and submission of Value Added Tax (VAT) declarations, and the preparation of mandatory financial statements and audit reports.

Transcend provides integrated support across these essential functions, enabling investors to maintain uninterrupted operations and maintain good standing with all relevant Saudi authorities.

Indeed, you are cordially invited to visit our corporate facilities for a tour of our office.

Our offices are strategically located in key business hubs:

• Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Riyadh, Al Sahafah District, Neo Center, 4794 Al Imam Saud Bin Faisal Rd, Office #7.
• United Arab Emirates: Dubai, World Trade Center, Seraton Grand Hotel, Burj Al Salam (Offices), Floor 36.

We recommend contacting us in advance to schedule your visit and ensure the availability of a dedicated representative.