Limited Liability Company (LLC)
The most common form — one or more shareholders, limited liability and, in most sectors, 100% foreign ownership under a MISA investment licence.
Business Setup In
Saudi Arabia
Enter the GCC's largest economy. We set up a MISA-licensed company with 100% foreign ownership — from the investment licence and Commercial Registration to banking, Saudization and visas — aligned to Vision 2030 and, where it fits, the Regional Headquarters (RHQ) programme.
- 100% Ownership
- MISA Licensed
- Vision 2030
- RHQ Programme
- Largest GCC Economy
From Vision 2030 to a Registered Company
Foreign investors set up in Saudi Arabia by obtaining a MISA (Ministry of Investment) licence and then a Commercial Registration (CR) with the Ministry of Commerce, with 100% foreign ownership available across most activities. Corporate tax is 20% on the foreign-owned share of profits (Zakat applies to the Saudi/GCC share), there is no personal income tax, and VAT is 15%.
Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the Gulf and, under Vision 2030, is opening to foreign investment at pace — diversifying beyond oil into tourism, logistics, technology, manufacturing and entertainment, anchored by mega-projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea and Qiddiya. For most activities a foreign investor can now own 100% of a Saudi company. The journey begins with an investment licence from the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA, formerly SAGIA), followed by a Commercial Registration (CR) with the Ministry of Commerce and the downstream registrations — municipality (Balady) licence, Chamber of Commerce, GOSI social-insurance and ZATCA tax/Zakat.
The most common vehicle is the Limited Liability Company (LLC); branches of foreign companies and joint-stock companies are also used. On tax, a foreign-owned company pays corporate income tax at 20% on its share of profits, while the Saudi/GCC-owned share is subject to Zakat at 2.5%; there is no personal income tax, and VAT applies at 15%. Companies seeking Saudi government contracts must base their Regional Headquarters (RHQ) in the Kingdom — and an approved RHQ enjoys a long-term incentive package, including relief on corporate tax and withholding tax for eligible activities. Employment is governed by Saudization (Nitaqat). Avyanco handles the MISA licence, CR, banking, GOSI/ZATCA registration, Saudization planning and visas, and aligns the Saudi entity with your UAE and wider GCC structure.
Saudi Company Structures
The common vehicles for foreign investors in the Kingdom.
Branch of a Foreign Company
A registered branch of an overseas parent, operating under its identity — used by established groups extending into Saudi Arabia.
Regional Headquarters (RHQ)
A dedicated entity directing a group's regional operations from the Kingdom — required to win Saudi government contracts and eligible for a 30-year incentive package.
How a Saudi Company Is Formed
A MISA-led process, then the downstream registrations.
- 01
Activity & Eligibility
We confirm the activities, the ownership cap (100% for most sectors) and the right structure for your objectives.
- 02
MISA Investment Licence
We prepare and file the application for the Ministry of Investment (MISA) licence — the foreign investor's entry permit.
- 03
Articles & Name
We draft the Articles of Association, reserve the company name and prepare shareholder and manager details.
- 04
Commercial Registration (CR)
We register the company with the Ministry of Commerce to issue the Commercial Registration — the licence to trade.
- 05
Government Registrations
Municipality (Balady) licence, Chamber of Commerce, GOSI social insurance and ZATCA (tax/Zakat and VAT where applicable).
- 06
Bank, Saudization & Visas
We assist with the corporate bank account, a Saudization (Nitaqat) plan and investor and employee visas.
Documents Required for a Saudi Company
A KYC-driven set for shareholders, managers and any parent company.
- Passport copies of all shareholders and managers (valid at least 6 months)
- For corporate shareholders: audited financial statements, the certificate of incorporation and Articles — attested
- A board resolution approving the Saudi investment and appointing the manager
- Proposed company names and the planned activities
- Shareholding split and manager / general-manager appointment
- Business plan where the activity or MISA requires it
Why Choose Saudi Arabia
Scale, reform and incentives in the Gulf's largest market.
The largest economy and consumer market in the GCC
100% foreign ownership across most activities
No personal income tax
Vision 2030 diversification and mega-project demand
RHQ incentives for regional headquarters
Government procurement access via an in-Kingdom RHQ
Strategic location bridging three continents
A deep, young and growing talent pool
Common Sectors in Saudi Arabia
Where foreign investors are most active under Vision 2030.
Trading & Retail
Manufacturing & Industry
Logistics & Transport
Technology & Digital
Construction & Real Estate
Professional Services
Tourism & Entertainment
Financial Services
The Avyanco Advantage
Avyanco sets up your Saudi entity and connects it to your UAE and GCC strategy.
Vision 2030 Market Entry
We advise how a Saudi entity fits your regional plan — standalone, or alongside a UAE hub feeding into the Kingdom.
MISA & CR Handled
The investment licence, Articles, Commercial Registration and downstream registrations, managed end-to-end.
Tax & Zakat Clarified
We explain the 20% corporate tax / 2.5% Zakat split, 15% VAT and withholding tax, so your position is clear before you commit.
Saudization Planned
We build a realistic Nitaqat (Saudization) plan so your workforce stays compliant from day one.
RHQ Structuring
Where you target government contracts, we structure and license a Regional Headquarters to unlock the incentive package.
Visas & Residency
Investor and employee visas, plus Premium Residency guidance, processed alongside the setup.
Meet Our Specialists
Partner-level advisors covering Saudi setup, MISA licensing, tax & Zakat, Saudization, banking and GCC strategy.
Why Founders Choose Avyanco for Saudi Arabia
Three things that come up in every Saudi engagement.
Built for Vision 2030
We position your entity for the sectors Vision 2030 is actually opening — not a generic, off-the-shelf setup.
Tax & Zakat Clear
The 20% tax / 2.5% Zakat split, VAT and WHT explained up front — no surprises after incorporation.
Set Up Cleanly
MISA licence, CR, GOSI/ZATCA, Saudization, banking and visas handled end-to-end, in coordination with your UAE base.
Compare Other Expansion Markets
Saudi Arabia suits scale and Vision 2030 demand. Other markets fit different goals — compare here.
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Read moreWhat Clients Say
A slice of recent feedback from founders who expanded across the GCC through Avyanco.
In so far as the emigration process can ever be made easy, Avyanco achieves exactly this.
Read more — Sheru George's review on GoogleS
Sheru George12 May 2026
We are very satisfied with Avyanco's support for Nanasu Realty — especially across AML compliance, accounting, and company setup.
Read more — Purushottam Mukkundi's review on GoogleP
Purushottam Mukkundi6 May 2026
I've used the services of Avyanco twice over the past 3 years for visa processing, and they have never failed to impress me.
Read more — Dominic Pinto's review on GoogleD
Dominic Pinto11 May 2026
I had an excellent experience with Avyanco Business Setup Consultancy for both my company formation and family dependent visa process in the UAE.
Read more — Eder Schaphauser Ziomek's review on GoogleE
Eder Schaphauser Ziomek29 April 2026
We had an excellent experience working with this company for our ADGM company setup in Abu Dhabi.
Read more — Nikhil Nadanga's review on GoogleN
Nikhil Nadanga25 May 2026
I have been dealing with Akshta for more than a year now and she has been very professional.
Read more — Sherif Ayub's review on GoogleS
Sherif Ayub24 May 2026
Saudi Arabia Company Formation — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about forming a company in the Kingdom.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Saudi company?
Yes, across most activities. A foreign investor can own 100% of a Saudi company under an investment licence from the Ministry of Investment (MISA), without a local partner, in the great majority of sectors. A limited set of restricted activities still carry conditions, so we confirm that your specific activity qualifies before setup.
What is a MISA licence?
MISA — the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (formerly SAGIA) — issues the foreign investment licence that lets an overseas investor establish and own a Saudi entity. It is the first approval; the Commercial Registration (CR) with the Ministry of Commerce and the downstream registrations follow.
How is a Saudi company taxed?
A foreign-owned company pays corporate income tax at 20% on the foreign-owned share of its profits, while the Saudi/GCC-owned share is subject to Zakat at 2.5%; mixed-ownership companies apportion the two. There is no personal income tax, and VAT applies at 15%. Withholding tax also applies to certain cross-border payments. We confirm the exact position for your structure.
What is the RHQ programme?
The Regional Headquarters (RHQ) programme encourages multinationals to base their regional management in the Kingdom. Since 1 January 2024, a company generally needs an in-Kingdom RHQ to be awarded Saudi government contracts, and an approved RHQ enjoys a long-term incentive package — including relief on corporate income tax and withholding tax for eligible RHQ activities. We advise whether an RHQ fits your plans and set it up if so.
What is Saudization (Nitaqat)?
Saudization, administered through the Nitaqat system, sets targets for employing Saudi nationals based on a company's sector and size. Meeting your band unlocks government services and visa quotas. We build a realistic Saudization plan into the setup so the company is compliant as it grows.
Can I run my Saudi company alongside a UAE company?
Yes, and many groups do. A common pattern is a UAE company as the regional hub with a Saudi entity (or RHQ) for direct access to the Kingdom's market and government contracts. We structure the UAE and Saudi entities together so the combination is coherent and tax-efficient.
Verification & independence
Content verified against MISA (Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia), the Ministry of Commerce, ZATCA and public reporting as understood in June 2026. Avyanco Business Consultancy LLC provides advisory and administrative services and is independent of MISA and all Saudi government authorities.
Saudi investment rules, ownership conditions, tax and Zakat, the RHQ programme, Saudization bands and registration procedures evolve, and investors may have tax obligations in their countries of residence. Always confirm the current rules with MISA, ZATCA and qualified advisors before acting on any fact on this page. No pricing is quoted; fees depend on activity and scope.
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Ready to Set Up in Saudi Arabia?
Speak to an Avyanco advisor about a MISA-licensed Saudi company — licence, Commercial Registration, tax & Zakat, Saudization, banking and visas, coordinated with your UAE and GCC structure.
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