Business Setup Process in Saudi Arabia

Your step-by-step guide to business setup in Saudi Arabia — from name reservation and MISA licensing to commercial registration and compliance.

This is start-easy.com's consultant guide to the official process. All registrations are issued by independent Saudi government authorities — not by start-easy.com.

Step 1

Name Reservation

Submitted to (External Authority)

Ministry of Commerce

Approx. Gov. Fee — paid directly to authority (SAR)

200 (Arabic) / 500 (English)

Estimated Timeline

≈ 2 days

Step 2

Document Translation & Attestation

Submitted to (External Authority)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Approx. Gov. Fee — paid directly to authority (SAR)

≈ 250 per document (including translation charges)

Estimated Timeline

≈ 5 days

Step 3

Obtain Investment License

Submitted to (External Authority)

Ministry of Investment (MISA)

Approx. Gov. Fee — paid directly to authority (SAR)

No fees (currently waived)

Estimated Timeline

≈ 2 weeks

Step 4

Preparation and Issuance of Articles of Association (AoA) & Commercial Registration (CR)

Submitted to (External Authority)

Ministry of Commerce

Approx. Gov. Fee — paid directly to authority (SAR)

≈ 1,800

Estimated Timeline

≈ 5 days

Step 5

Labor Registration

Submitted to (External Authority)

Ministry of Labor

Approx. Gov. Fee — paid directly to authority (SAR)

No fees

Estimated Timeline

Saturdays

Step 6

General Manager Appointment & Iqama Process

Submitted to (External Authority)

Ministry of Interior / MISA / Ministry of Labor

Approx. Gov. Fee — paid directly to authority (SAR)

≈ 14,000 (if GM is foreigner)

Estimated Timeline

4 – 10 weeks

Step 7

Corporate Essentials (National Address, Stamp, Chamber of Commerce etc.)

Submitted to (External Authority)

Saudi Post / Relevant Chamber

Approx. Gov. Fee — paid directly to authority (SAR)

≈ 1,000

Estimated Timeline

3 – 5 days

Step 8

Portal Registrations (Compliance Setup) – ZATCA (Tax), GOSI (Social Insurance), Qiwa, Mudad, Muqeem, Absher, Balady, Qawaem, Ejar

Submitted to (External Authority)

Multiple Authorities

Approx. Gov. Fee — paid directly to authority (SAR)

≈ 3,000

Estimated Timeline

≈ 1 – 2 weeks (parallel)

Step 9

Update GM Iqama in AoA & Corporate Record Finalization

Submitted to (External Authority)

Ministry of Commerce (MoC)

Approx. Gov. Fee — paid directly to authority (SAR)

≈ 1,800

Estimated Timeline

≈ 1 week

Step 10

Bank Account Opening & Capital Deposit

Submitted to (External Authority)

Any Commercial Bank

Approx. Gov. Fee — paid directly to authority (SAR)

No fee (Minimum deposit required based on bank selected)

Estimated Timeline

≈ 1 week

Once you understand the process, Get Started to receive your instant proposal with the best setup options and eligible activities for your business in Saudi Arabia. Need help at any step? Talk to an Expert for personalized guidance.

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start-easy.com is an independent private consultancy platform that assists businesses in setting up operations in Saudi Arabia and other locations. We are not a government body or do not represent any Government agency

Registered Office

Olaya Towers, Tower B, Intersection of Tahlia Street & Olaya Street, Riyadh, 11523. Saudi Arabia

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Step-by-Step Business Setup Process in Saudi Arabia | start easy.