How To Expand Your Business to Saudi Arabia
May 11, 2025
1. Choose a Legal Structure
The common structures are:
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Branch of a Foreign Company
Joint Stock Company (JSC)
A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is typically recommended.
2. Foreign Company Requirements
Foreigners wanting to expand their Service or Industrial business to Saudi Arabia, should fulfill the following criteria:
Should have 1 Foreign Entity (Outside Saudi Arabia) under their name.
The foreign Entity should be 1 Year Old
The Foreign Entity should have latest Financial Audit Statement of at least SAR 250,000 equivalent.
3. Documents Required:
Holding Company Incorporation Certificate with Apostille
Holding Company Articles of Association with Apostille
Holding Company Latest Financial Audit Statement with Apostille
Owner’s resolution with Apostille
Power of Attorney with Apostille to the Authorized Lawyers/ Consultants in Saudi Arabia
Passport ID scan of the Authorized General Manager for the Saudi Entity.
Apostille is sufficient for countries that are part of the Hague Convention.
For other countries it is required that all above documents have Stamp from Notary + MOFA + Saudi Consulate
4. MISA license
Application through the Ministry of Investment Portal
Submit all Holding company Documents after required attestations.
Processing time: 5-10 business days
Fees & Subscription:
SAR 12, 000 for the 1st Year
SAR 62,000 from 2nd Year Onwards
5. Trade Name Reservation
Names should be either in English or Arabic
Names should have a meaning in English or Arabic
Transliterated Names are not allowed
Processing time: 5-10 business days
Fees: SAR 200 [Arabic name] or SAR 500 [English Name]
6. Commercial Registration
Application through Saudi Business Center
Holding company Documents should be attested by Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Saudi Arabia
Option to make custom Articles of Association for the Saudi Entity or use readymade template.
Processing time: 5-7 business days
Fees: SAR 1775
7. Register Government Portals
Several government portals need to be registered to meet the requirements for Administrative and HR compliance.
Processing time: 7-10 business days
Subscription Fees: SAR 5000 (Approx – Annually)
8. General Manager Visa
Application for General Manager visa needs to be made via Ministry of Labor and Ministry of Investment
Generate invite letter after the visa has been approved
General Manager needs to complete required visa related formalities in country of their Residence
Processing time: 7-10 business days
Annual Fees: SAR 10,350 (Annually)
9. Residence Permit
Medical test and Medical insurance are mandatory after arrival of General Manager in Saudi Arabia.
Apply for General Manager’s Residency Permit (Iqama) via Jawazat
Good to have Saudi Sim card + registration with National Address
10. Hire Saudi National
It is required to hire minimum 1 Saudi Staff to meet nationalization requirements (Nitaqat)
Minimum Salary for Saudi Staff is SAR 4000 + Social Insurance
Timeline and Costs
Overall Timeline: 4-6 months from Start to Full operation
Estimated Costs: SAR 35,000 - 50,000 (excluding Consultant/ Lawyer Fees)
Annual Recurring Fees: SAR 85,000 – SAR 100,000 (Government Fees, Residency Permits etc)
Path to Life-Time Premium Residency
Option to obtain Saudi Premium Residency for Company Owners/Directors via Investor Residency Path
Ready to take the next step toward expanding your business into Saudi Arabia? Our experts are here to guide you through every stage of the process—from handling end to end Saudi company setup to regulatory compliance. Book a consultation call today and start your journey with confidence!
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