SAUDI ARABIA
What foreign investors should know before setting up in Saudi Arabia
A practical guide to ownership structures, MISA licensing and the realistic timeline for foreign investors, UK companies and international corporations setting up in the Kingdom.
Why Saudi Arabia
Why set up in Saudi Arabia?
For foreign investors, UK companies and international corporations, Saudi Arabia has moved from a restricted market to one of the most open and incentivised places in the region to build. Vision 2030 rewrote the rules — and understanding them before you commit capital is what separates a smooth entry from an expensive one.
- The world’s largest Arab economy, with GDP exceeding $1 trillion.
- 100% foreign ownership is now available across most sectors.
- Vision 2030 is directing more than $1 trillion into new infrastructure.
- Tax advantages: 0% personal income tax and a 20% corporate rate.
- A strategic position bridging Europe, Asia and Africa.
Structures
Ownership structures.
Three routes cover almost every foreign entry. The right one depends on your sector, your appetite for liability and how fast you need to be operational.
100% Foreign-Owned LLC
The most common structure: limited liability, fully foreign-owned, with no Saudi partner required.
Requires a MISA licence and SAR 500,000 minimum capital.
Branch Office
An extension of your foreign parent company. Faster to establish and lighter on capital.
The parent, however, retains full liability for the branch.
Joint Venture
A shared-ownership structure with a Saudi partner.
Used where a sector remains partly restricted to foreign control.
The Process
From consultation to operational.
Consultation & Strategy
We assess your objectives, sector and structure, and map the licence path before anything is filed.
Document Preparation
Corporate documents are notarised, legalised and translated ready for submission.
MISA License Application
We manage the foreign-investment licence application from start to approval.
Commercial Registration
The Commercial Registration (CR) is issued and your entity is formally established.
Secondary Registrations
ZATCA, GOSI, HRSD, Chamber of Commerce, Qiwa, Muqeem and Mudad are all set up.
Bank Account & Operations
Corporate banking is opened and the business becomes fully operational.
UK Companies
UK company entering Saudi Arabia?
Alpha Oak Partners runs a dedicated London office, so UK companies are supported on both sides — legalisation and structuring handled in the UK, MISA licensing and registration handled in Riyadh, as one coordinated process.
- UK document preparation, notarisation and legalisation.
- LLC subsidiary versus branch assessment.
- MISA foreign-investment licence management.
- Post-registration compliance and PRO services.
Start a conversation
Ready to set up your business in Saudi Arabia?
Schedule a confidential consultation. No obligation, and no generic advice — just a clear view of the smartest route into the Kingdom.
Book a confidential consultation