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A strategic step for managing international capital
Establishing a company in Saudi Arabia opens a rapid route into Middle Eastern markets. Since April 2025, a unified commercial registration system has been in effect across the entire country.
Special economic zones offer a reduction of corporate tax to 5% and exemption from customs duties. The registration procedure runs through the Ministry of Investment platform, with the investment licence issued in a short timeframe.
Saudi Arabia sits at the crossroads of three continents, giving access to markets in Asia, Africa and Europe with a combined population of over 2 billion people.
A zero corporate rate on profits up to USD 100,000 per year, and no capital gains tax.
State-level guarantees of capital safety, protection of assets from confiscation, and equal rights with local investors.
Government support programmes under Vision 2030, backed by more than USD 500 billion of investment in infrastructure and economic diversification.
Direct access to Gulf Cooperation Council markets with a combined GDP exceeding USD 2 trillion.
Founders who want a licensed base inside the largest economy in the Middle East.
Companies that expect to draw work from the state investment programmes.
Principals who need a tax-efficient structure for holding and managing family wealth.
Groups that need access to the wider GCC market from a base in the region.
A local company is a legal entity with the right to trade across the entire country. Since 2021, full foreign ownership has been available in most sectors.
An enterprise in one of the special economic zones with maximum benefits for international business.
A parent company for managing a group of enterprises with tax optimisation and asset protection.
A specialised structure for managing family capital and inheritance planning through licensed Family Offices.
An investment licence from the Ministry of Investment.
Passports and identification documents for all founders.
A business plan with a description of the intended activity.
A physical office address in Saudi Arabia.
Commercial registration with the Ministry of Commerce.
Cross-border decisions with clarity — from relocation and structuring to long-term planning, risk reduction, and private coordination.
Speak with a partnerMirsatori's corporate lawyers analyse your business and determine the optimal structure and jurisdiction, weighed against the tax position.
We secure the licence from the Ministry of Investment, preparing the full document package and liaising with the government bodies.
We process commercial registration at the Ministry of Commerce and select the licence type matched to your activity.
We prepare the account documentation and guide you through KYC verification.
We arrange the investor visa with family sponsorship rights, and Premium Residency where long-term residence is the objective.
| Category | Saudi Arabia | Qatar | UAE | Bahrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum share capital | USD 6,660 | From USD 55,000 | USD 0 | USD 0 |
| VAT | 15% | From 0% | 5% | 10% |
| 100% foreign ownership | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Audit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Corporate tax | 0–20% | 0–10% | 0–9% | 0% |
| Personal income tax | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend tax | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Double taxation treaties | 80+ | 80+ | 130+ | 40+ |
| Currency control | No | No | No | No |
Minimum capital is USD 6,660 for an LLC, and approximately USD 8 million for a trading company under 100% foreign ownership. Commercial registration carries an initial fee of approximately USD 1,600. Free zone registration costs less than a mainland LLC.
Yes. Since 2021, 100% foreign ownership has been permitted in most sectors, including technology, healthcare and tourism; the exceptions are strategic industries — oil and gas, telecommunications and banking.
Corporate tax reduced to 5%, exemption from customs duties, reduced obligations for hiring Saudi nationals, and expedited registration.
Yes. Company ownership grants an investor visa for 2–3 years with renewal, and the Premium Residency programme allows sponsorship of a spouse, children up to 25 and parents.
Three principal types: trade for buying and selling, professional for services, and industrial for manufacturing. The requirement follows the activity.
In most free zones physical presence is not mandatory. To maintain a visa, spending at least one day in Saudi Arabia every six months is recommended.
Send a one-paragraph brief on the decision in front of you. You will have a considered reply within one business day, under signed NDA — the first conversation carries no fee. Where the structure is complex, we scope a written memo from there.
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