GET STARTED WITH AN
INVESTMENT LICENSE
Doing business in Saudi Arabia has never been easier, thanks to the recent reforms that have reduced red tape, bureaucracy, and streamlined the clearance process to speed up investment realization.
The Ministry of Investment \(MISA\) is a "one-stop-shop" for companies interested in investing in Saudi Arabia.
Business Day to obtain your investment license
Documents required for an investment license
WHAT TYPE OF
BUSINESSES
CAN APPLY FOR AN
INVESTOR LICENSE?
All licenses are issued based on the principle of fair and equal treatment, allowing international investors to enjoy the same rights and obligations as local investors.
Limited liability company (LLC)
Limited liability one-person company
Joint stock company
Foreign company branch
Solidarity professional company
TYPES OF LICENSES INVESTORS
CAN APPLY FOR IN SAUDI ARABIA
Agricultural license
Agricultural license
This license is issued to companies in the agricultural field.Audiovisual media license
Audiovisual media license
This license is issued to companies in the audio and visual fields.Commercial license
Commercial license
This license is issued to companies in the wholesale and retail trading field.Consulting license for engineering offices
Consulting license for engineering offices
This license is issued to companies providing engineering consultation services within the Kingdom.Consulting license for technical & economic communication offices
Consulting license for technical & economic communication offices
This license is issued to economic and technical country representation offices.Entrepreneur license
Entrepreneur license
This license is issued to entrepreneurs who wish to establish technology and innovative companies with expansion and growth potential within the Kingdom.License for a scientific and technical office
License for a scientific and technical office
This license is issued to companies with offices providing scientific and technical services to agents, distributors and consumers of their products.License for serving agents and providing workers services
License for serving agents and providing workers services
This license is issued to companies providing domestic labor placement services and temporary employment agencies for households.Industrial license
Industrial license
This license is issued for all types of industrial activities, such as heavy and light industries and manufacturing.Mining license
Mining license
This license is issued to companies in the mining field.Printing & publishing license
Printing & publishing license
This license is issued to companies in the printing and publishing fields.Professional license with Saudi shareholder
Professional license with Saudi shareholder
This license is issued to companies conducting professional services in the Kingdom with a Saudi partner.Real estate license
Real estate license
This license is issued to companies in the real estate field.Services license
Services license
This license is issued for service activities including: construction, administrative investment, information technology, tourism, training, healthcare, insurance and re-insurance, education, advertising and media, logistic services, organizing exhibitions, catering and food services, financial services, aviation and handling services.Transport license
Transport license
This license is issued for bus public transportation within cities, metro public repetition , and other public transport activities.ONLY 2 DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED
TO RECEIVE AN INVESTOR LICENSE
Only documents are needed to acquire an investor license
Copy of the commercial registration of the entity in its original country, authenticated by a Saudi Embassy
Financial statements for the last year, prepared by an internationally acclaimed legal office and authenticated by a Saudi Embassy
*Additional documents may be required depending on the business activity and the required license type.
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
DEPENDING ON THE LICENSE ACTIVITY
Services for public buses or metros within cities license
- 3 additional documents required
- Licensing entity: Ministry of Transport
Audiovisual media license
- 1 additional document required
- Licensing entity: General Commission for Audiovisual Media
Printing and publishing license
- 1 additional documents required
- Licensing entity: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Entrepreneurship license
- 2 additional documents required
- Licensing entity: Ministry of Investment
Consulting license for engineering offices
- 1 additional documents required
- Licensing entity: Ministry of Investment
Temporary licenses for the execution of a government/semi-government contract
- 1 additional documents required
- Licensing entity: Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs
Temporary certificate to submit proposals for government projects
- 5 additional documents required
- Licensing entity: Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs
INVESTOR JOURNEY
STAGE
Issuance of Investment License
The Company's commercial registration certified by the Saudi Embassy
The last year financial statements for certified by the Saudi Embassy
STAGE
Documentation of Memorandum of Association
Branches of foreign companies must submit a decision to open the branch in the Kingdom only to complete the issuance of the Commercial Register.
STAGE
Issuance of commercial Registration
Commercial registration of the parent company
Decision of the Board of directors of opening a branch ( branches of foreign companies only)
Memorandum of Association (for new companies)
Appointing the general director
Proof of the owners and general director's ID
STAGE
Open Files
Obtaining a file of the General Authority of Zakat and Tax
Obtaining a file of Saudi Ministry of Labor and Social Development
Obtaining a file of The General Organization for Social Insurance
STAGE
Issuance of General Directors Visa
A letter of appointing the general director
Proof of the general director's ID