Understanding how to get a commercial registration in Saudi Arabia is paramount to maximizing the odds of having a sustainable, profitable market expansion.
This article is designed to take you through the whole process, from choosing the right structure to completing the necessary documentation.
Step 1: Choose Your Business Entity
Step 2: Address Pre-Registration Requirements
Step 3: Register with the Saudi Ministry of Commerce
Step 4: Submit Articles of Association
Step 5: Pay the Registration Fees
Step 6: Collect the Commercial Registration Certificate
What Does the Saudi Commercial Registration Process Look Like?
Obtaining a commercial registration certificate is an authorization for a company to start operating in the Saudi market according to the country’s regulatory frameworks.
Below is a breakdown of the company registration process in Saudi Arabia:
Step 1: Choose Your Business Entity
The first step in setting up a company in Saudi Arabia is to determine the business entity that best serves your needs and objectives.
There are several business entities to choose from in Saudi Arabia, including subsidiaries of a foreign company—the most common business form in Saudi Arabia—a limited liability company (LLC), a joint stock company, a regional headquarters (RHQ), and a technical and scientific services office (TSSO).
Step 2: Address Pre-Registration Requirements
- MISA License
Foreign companies must first obtain a business license from the Ministry of Investment (MISA). The license typically takes 5-7 working days.
Related read: How to Get a MISA License in Saudi Arabia: 2025 Guide for Foreign Businesses
- Name Reservation
Depending on the business structure, selecting a name that’s unique to your organization is a prerequisite to company formation in Saudi.
As per the updated Trade Names Law in Saudi, businesses are now allowed to use non-Arabic names, granting them more flexibility in name selection.
Step 3: Register with the Saudi Ministry of Commerce
After obtaining a MISA license and choosing a business name, companies must complete an online application form on the Ministry of Commerce portal.
This form requires essential company information, such as trading name, structure, activities, and supporting documents like owner details, capital proof, and the parent company’s commercial registration.
Step 4: Submit Articles of Association
Businesses have to submit their Articles of Association (AoA) as part of the registration process. The document clearly defines how the company is structured, owned, and managed.
Step 5: Pay the Registration Fees
After submitting the application, companies must pay registration fees, which vary by business type and size.
Step 6: Collect the Commercial Registration Certificate
Upon successful completion of the review process, businesses will receive a notification of approval and then obtain the commercial registration certificate.
Besides helping companies acquire their commercial registration number, AstroLabs’ on-ground team manages the whole renewal process on behalf of foreign businesses.
Get in touch to discover more about our post-business setup support toolkit
What comes after the commercial registration process in Saudi Arabia?
Right after having the CR ready, companies then have to register with the Chamber of Commerce (CoC), marking the end of the first stage of the Saudi market expansion roadmap.
The second phase typically involves completing registrations with relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Labor, the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI), and the General Authority of Zakat and Tax (GAZT) for tax compliance.
At this point, securing office space is mandatory to register a national address and later to be able to renew their commercial registration on a yearly basis.
NOTE: Under the new commercial registration regulations, if a company stops operating in Saudi, its registration will be canceled after one year, instead of the previous 30 days.
In the soft landing phase, businesses ought to issue Iqama for the general manager of the Saudi entity and register on important government portals such as Muqeem, Absher, Qiwa, and Mudad. As a final step, opening a bank account is crucial for the company to conduct a wide range of financial operations.
Backed by a decade of expertise in foreign business setup in Saudi Arabia, AstroLabs’ on-ground team can provide a full gamut of services for its clients; these range from acquiring a CR, opening a corporate bank account, and managing payroll and accounting.
FAQs About Commercial Registration in Saudi Arabia
- How long does it take to complete a company registration in Saudi Arabia?
The process usually takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the size of the company and the necessary documentation. With AstroLabs, the entire company registration can take up to six months, provided the required documents are submitted promptly.
- How much does it cost to register a company in Saudi Arabia?
The initial registration fee is SAR 6,000, and the annual renewal fee is SAR 1,200.
If you are looking to expand to Saudi, reach out to discuss your company incorporation needs.