Company formation in Saudi Arabia
Setup Your Company in Saudi Arabia as a Foreigner
- Register a private limited company in KSA
- 100% foreign ownership – No local partner needed
- Schedule an initial consultation to discuss your needs and goals
End-to-end support for your market entry in KSA
MISA License & Company Registration
We manage your entire application to the Ministry of Investment (MISA) for your foreign investment license and finalize your company registration (CR) with the Ministry of Commerce.
Visa, Iqama & Relocation Services
Assistance with securing General Manager Visas, and Iqama (Residence Permit) process for your expatriate employees
Bank Account Opening
Assistance with opening corporate bank accounts and setting up initial financial processes.
Tax, Zakat & GOSI Registration
Registration with ZATCA (for VAT and Tax) and the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) for your employees.
Registered Saudi Office (WASEL)
We help you fulfill your mandatory local presence requirement by providing a registered physical office address and completing your WASEL registration
Ongoing Compliance & HR
Post incorporation support to ensure your new entity remains fully compliant with Saudi labor law and financial reporting standards.
Key requirements for company registration in Saudi Arabia
Here is an overview of the requirements for establishing a foreign-owned company in Saudi Arabia.
MISA Investment License
- You must obtain a license from the Ministry of Investment (MISA) before you can register your company.
- Emerhub manages this entire application process.
Minimum Share Capital
- A typical MISA-licensed LLC (Limited Liability Company) requires a minimum capital of SAR 500,000
- This must be deposited into the new KSA bank account after formation.
Mandatory General Manager
- Every KSA company must appoint at least one General Manager (GM).
- This individual will be named on the Commercial Registration (CR) and is the legal representative.
We manage the visa and Iqama (residence permit) process for this role.
Physical KSA Office Address
- A virtual office is not sufficient. You must have a physical office address registered with the municipality and listed on WASEL (the national address system).
Emerhub provides compliant registered address solutions to meet this requirement.
Expert KSA Representation
- While direct engagement is technically possible, navigating MISA and MOC processes without local expertise is exceptionally complex and time-consuming.
We act as your licensed representative, handling all submissions and interactions to ensure accuracy and efficiency on your behalf.
How It Works: From Inquiry to Incorporation
Our streamlined 4-step process makes company registration effortless. Most companies are ready within 48 hours.
01
Initial consultation
We start with a detailed analysis of your business activity and goals. We recommend the optimal legal structure (e.g., LLC, Branch Office) and confirm your MISA eligibility and requirements.
02
MISA License & Document Legalization
We prepare and submit your MISA application. Simultaneously, we manage the time-consuming process of legalizing (attesting) your parent company documents from your home country.
03
Business Formation (CR)
Once MISA approval is granted, our team drafts your KSA Articles of Association, notarizes them, and files with the Ministry of Commerce to obtain your official Commercial Registration (CR).
04
Post-Launch Activation
We finalize your setup by registering your entity with the Chamber of Commerce, GOSI, ZATCA (tax), and commencing the corporate bank account opening process.
Streamlined Process Through Our Web Platform
Use Emerhub web app to setup and manage your business in Singapore.
Select business activities
Choose your company type and activities. Pay online and get started immediately.
Provide Company Details via Our App
Conveniently collect all company requirements via our web application.
Manage Your Corporate Documents
All your corporate documents will be accessible via Emerhub’s Entity Management Software
Trusted by Entrepreneurs Across Industries
Join thousands of successful business owners who chose us for their Saudi company registration.
FAQs About Saudi Company Formation
For most business activities, Saudi Arabia now permits 100% foreign ownership. This is granted via a license from the Ministry of Investment (MISA). We specialize in managing this application to secure full ownership for our clients. Certain sectors, like trading, may still have specific requirements.
MISA stands for the Ministry of Investment. A MISA foreign investment license is mandatory for any foreign entity or individual wanting to establish a commercial presence and own a company in Saudi Arabia. It is the most critical document in the entire process.
The timeline varies, but a realistic estimate is typically 8-12 weeks from the day we have all your legalized documents. This includes MISA approval, MOC registration, and post-launch activations. Beware of any provider promising setup in “days,” as this is not possible for a fully compliant foreign-owned entity.
Before registering your company, it’s important to verify the exact ownership rules based on your intended business activity. Emerhub can help assess your eligibility for full ownership and guide you through any licensing requirements.
The minimum capital requirement in Saudi Arabia depends on your business activity and legal structure. While some activities have no minimum, a MISA-licensed foreign-owned LLC typically requires a minimum capital of SAR 500,000. This capital must be deposited into your new KSA corporate bank account after formation.
No. For most activities, the requirement for a local Saudi partner has been removed. You can establish your entity with 100% foreign ownership.
Saudization (known as Nitaqat) is a national policy requiring companies to hire a certain percentage of Saudi nationals. The required percentage depends on your company’s size and business sector. This is a critical ongoing compliance requirement that we help you manage.
Our partnership doesn’t end with your CR. Emerhub offers a suite of essential ongoing services in KSA, including accounting, VAT filing, payroll processing, and visa/Iqama renewals, to ensure your business remains 100% compliant.
The process of setting up a company in KSA involves different stages with specific ministry approvals. Here’s a quick overview:
- Document Attestation: Legalization of your parent company documents by the Saudi Embassy in your home country.
- MISA License Application: Submission of your investment plan to the Ministry of Investment (MISA) to secure your foreign investment license.
- Company Registration (MOC): Filing Articles of Association with the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) to obtain your Commercial Registration (CR).
- Post-Registration Activations: Registering your CR with the Chamber of Commerce, ZATCA (tax), GOSI (social insurance), and WASEL (national address).
- Operational Setup: Opening your KSA corporate bank account, depositing capital, and initiating visa/Iqama processes for your team.
Schedule a free consultation
Ready to discuss setting up your company in KSA?
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Ready to discuss setting up your company in Saudi Arabia?
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our team of experts. We’ll discuss your needs and how we can help you setup your business.
Email Us
info@emerhub.com
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+65 8750 6516