Foreign Company Registration in Saudi Arabia

MISA license is the common name for the investment registration issued by the Ministry of Investment. Since February 2025 the official term is Investment Registration, and it replaced the old per-activity licence. Foreign-owned companies need it before applying for the CR, so it is still the first mandatory step.

Usually, foreign investors must provide the foreign partner’s commercial registration and latest financial statements, both certified by the Saudi Embassy. However, Premium Residency holders are exempt from these corporate requirements. Startups may also apply through the Entrepreneurial route by obtaining a support letter from an approved Saudi university or business incubator.

Yes, foreign investors can generally own 100% of a company in Saudi Arabia, depending on the business activity and applicable regulations. However, sectors such as retail, professional services, engineering consulting, legal services, and communications may have specific ownership, capital, experience, or licensing requirements.

Registration is only available for activities open to foreign investment under the national ISIC4 classification. Some sectors are restricted, and others need sector approvals. Check your exact activity code before starting, because a mismatched activity is a common cause of delays.