Saudi Arabia is undergoing the most ambitious economic transformation in its history. Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom has opened virtually every sector to foreign investors — with 100% ownership now available through a MISA registration. Melqart guides you through every step of Saudi market entry.
The Opportunity
Saudi Arabia's GDP exceeds USD 1 trillion — the largest in the Arab world. Under Vision 2030, the government has committed hundreds of billions to economic diversification, creating massive demand for international expertise, technology, services, and infrastructure. Non-oil activities grew 4.6% year-on-year in 2025 — the diversification narrative is now in the national accounts, not just press releases.
Over 14,300 foreign investment licences were issued in 2024 — a 67% increase year-on-year. This is the most open Saudi Arabia has ever been to international business — and the window will not stay this wide forever.
Key Consideration
Saudi Arabia's Nitaqat programme requires foreign-owned companies to employ a minimum percentage of Saudi nationals. The quota varies by sector, company size, and activity. Compliance directly affects your ability to issue and renew work permits for all foreign employees — including your General Manager.
Melqart builds your Saudization compliance plan into the formation process so your hiring strategy is structured correctly before you start operations.
Corporate Tax — What to Know
Evaluating Saudi Arabia for your business?
Melqart provides a free market entry assessment — no commitment required.Entity Types
Saudi Arabia offers four main paths for foreign investors. Your choice determines governance requirements, liability exposure, capital commitments, and long-term scalability. Melqart advises on the right structure before any paperwork begins.
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Most common structure for foreign investors
Most PopularThe go-to structure for most foreign investors in Saudi Arabia. Allows 100% foreign ownership via MISA registration across most commercial, professional, and industrial sectors. Minimum 1 shareholder. The most flexible structure for SMEs, consultancies, and service businesses entering the Saudi market.
Choose LLC if: You're establishing a permanent, commercially active Saudi presence with full ownership and operational flexibility.
* First year total includes MISA licence, CR, municipality, Chamber, advisory, and initial visa costs. Working capital and office lease are additional.
Branch of a Foreign Company
For established companies with a Saudi contract
Established CompaniesA registered presence of your existing foreign company in Saudi Arabia — operating under the parent company's name and legal identity. Best for companies executing a specific Saudi contract or project, or MNCs wanting fast market presence without incorporating a new local entity.
Choose Branch if: You have an existing foreign company and a specific Saudi contract to execute — and won't need local partners or Saudi equity later.
* A branch cannot add local Saudi investors later. If localisation is possible in your growth path, an LLC is the safer long-term choice.
Entrepreneur Licence
Early-stage foreign startups — MISA programme
Startups OnlyLaunched specifically for early-stage foreign startups. 100% foreign ownership at the lowest possible cost — approximately SAR 2,000/year. Over 550 foreign startups licensed by mid-2025, a 118% increase year-on-year. Activity restrictions apply — designed for genuine early-stage businesses, not established companies.
Choose Entrepreneur Licence if: You're an early-stage foreign startup testing the Saudi market before committing to a full LLC structure.
Special Economic Zone (SEZ)
Qualifying activities in designated zones
Tax AdvantagedSaudi Arabia's SEZs offer a 5% flat corporate tax rate versus the standard 20% — plus customs duty exemptions. SEZs are active in Riyadh, King Abdullah Economic City, Jazan, Ras Al-Khair, and Cloud Computing zones. The 15% tax differential often outweighs all other structuring decisions combined.
Consider SEZ if: Your activity qualifies — the 15% tax differential often outweighs all other structuring decisions combined.
* SEZ eligibility is activity-specific. Melqart assesses eligibility as part of your initial consultation before any structure is recommended.
Not sure which structure fits your Saudi plans?
We assess your activity, growth plans, and SEZ eligibility — then give you a clear recommendation.The Formation Process
Saudi company formation follows a strictly sequenced multi-agency process. Every step builds on the one before — delays typically trace to incorrect activity codes, incomplete documents, or mismatched information across registrations.
Most Saudi companies are operational within 10–14 weeks of engaging Melqart. The process begins with a free consultation where we map your activity codes, confirm SEZ eligibility, and give you a clear cost breakdown before anything is filed.
Start the Process →Activity code mapping, entity selection, document preparation and legalisation. MISA registration completed via the Invest Saudi platform — days for simple cases, 2–6 weeks for complex activities.
Company registered with the Ministry of Commerce. Trade name reserved, Articles of Association drafted in Arabic, CR number issued. All fields must exactly match the MISA registration.
Registration with ZATCA (tax), GOSI (social insurance), Chamber of Commerce, and activation of Qiwa and Muqeem labour portals. Office lease uploaded to the Ejar platform.
Corporate bank account submitted to Al Rajhi, SNB, or SABB. Investor visa and Iqama processed for the General Manager. Melqart coordinates banking pre-approval in parallel with registration steps.
Ready to enter the Saudi market?
Most Saudi companies are operational within 10–14 weeks of engaging Melqart.Start Your Saudi Company
Tell us about your business — activity, team size, and timeline — and a Melqart advisor will come back within 24 hours with a specific structure recommendation, SEZ eligibility assessment, and cost breakdown. No paperwork, no commitment.