Registering a Company in Saudi Arabia from the UK: A Complete Guide

Step 1: Define Your Business Activity

Selecting the precise commercial activity is critical. Each activity must be declared for your Commercial Registration (CR), influencing license type, capital requirements, and Saudization quotas.

Step 2: Choose the Right Legal Structure

Common legal entities for foreign investors include:

• Limited Liability Company (LLC): Ideal for SMEs; requires at least one shareholder and a minimum capital determined by activity.

• One-Person LLC: A single-founder structure with the same capital threshold as an LLC.

• Joint Stock Company (JSC): Suited for large ventures; requires a minimum share capital of SAR 500,000 or more.

• Branch of a Foreign Company: Extends your UK entity into Saudi under the parent company’s name.

• Representative Office: Limited to marketing and research; cannot conduct direct sales.

Step 3: Reserve Your Trade Name

Submit up to three name options via the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) portal. Ensure compliance with naming rules—avoid religious terms, offensive language, and trademark conflicts. Names must be in Arabic or accompanied by an approved Arabic translation.

Step 4: Obtain Your Foreign Investment License

Register with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) to secure a Foreign Investment License. Required documents typically include:

• Certified and legalized Memorandum and Articles of Association (with official translation)

• Audited financial statements of the UK parent company

• Passport copies and identification of shareholders

MISA approval grants 100 % foreign ownership rights and establishes your capital commitments.

Step 5: Submit Your Incorporation Application

With MISA clearance, file your company incorporation request on the MoC’s online portal. Upload:

• Foreign Investment License

• Memorandum and Articles of Association

• Reserved trade name certificate

• Shareholder and director identification documents

After verification, you’ll receive your Commercial Registration certificate.

Step 6: Appoint a General Manager or Local Agent

Nominate a Saudi national or GCC resident as General Manager. For branches and representative offices, appoint a local agent via a notarized Power of Attorney to handle in-country formalities.

Step 7: Secure Sector-Specific Approvals

Certain activities—such as healthcare, education, and finance—require additional clearances from regulatory bodies like:

• Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)

• Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA)

• Ministry of Health (MoH)

Launch Saudi can guide you through these specialized processes.

Step 8: Pay Fees and Receive Your Commercial Registration

Settle incorporation fees and register with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority. Upon payment, the MoC issues your CR, valid for one year and renewable online.

Step 9: Open a Saudi Corporate Bank Account

Use your CR and MISA license to open an account with a bank that caters to foreign businesses. Many banks offer remote onboarding, though some may request a virtual meeting or local signatory.

Step 10: Apply for Visas and Iqamas

Leverage your company’s visa quota to sponsor:

• Owner and shareholder residencies

• Employee work visas

• Dependent family visas

Process applications through the Ministry of Interior’s Absher platform and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

Comparing Legal Entities

• LLC: 100 % foreign ownership; minimum capital varies by activity; broad commercial services; no local partner required.

• One-Person LLC: 100 % foreign owned by a single founder; same capital threshold as LLC; professional services; no local partner required.

• Joint Stock Company (JSC): 100 % foreign ownership; minimum capital of SAR 500,000+; large-scale ventures; no local partner required.

• Branch of Foreign Company: Owned by parent company; no separate capital requirement; mirrors parent activities; no local partner required.

• Representative Office: Owned by parent company; no capital requirement; limited to marketing and research; no local partner required.

Essential Document Checklist

• Certified and translated Articles of Association and Memorandum of the UK entity

• Passport copies and national IDs for shareholders and directors

• Reserved trade name certificate from the MoC

• Foreign Investment License from MISA

• Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement)

• Notarized Power of Attorney for local manager or agent

• Saudization compliance plan (if applicable)

Partnering with Launch Saudi

Launch Saudi simplifies your Saudi registration journey with tailored support:

• Jurisdiction and legal structure advisory

• End-to-end licensing and approvals management

• Bank account facilitation and tech integrations

• Visa and Iqama processing

• Ongoing compliance and renewals