1. Comprehensive Government Cost Table for Setting Up a Foreign Service Company (100% Foreign LLC / SJSC)
| Phase | Item and Government Authority | Estimated Cost (SAR) | Nature and Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Documents abroad | Attestation of the CR and financial statements by the Saudi embassy and the chamber | Approx. SAR 2,000 – 5,000 | Varies by the parent company’s country and mission fees |
| Phase 2: Ministry of Investment | Fee for issuing registration in the National Investor Register | Approved payment notice fees | Paid once within 15 days of electronic acceptance |
| Phase 3: Commercial Registration | Issuance of the unified CR and articles of association (Saudi Business Center) | SAR 1,200 per year + SAR 500 publication + 15% VAT (~SAR 1,955) | Issued electronically within 24-72 hours |
| Phase 3: Chamber of Commerce | Chamber of Commerce subscription in Riyadh or Jeddah | Included in the CR invoice | Varies by capital and company category |
| Phase 4: Business address | Registration of the unified national address for establishments (SPL) | SAR 500 – 1,000 per year | Mandatory to complete bank accounts |
| Phase 5: General Manager | Work visa, medical check, iqama and temporary work permit | ~SAR 2,500 – 3,500 | Includes passport and visa fees |
| Phase 5: Medical insurance | Mandatory health insurance policy for the General Manager (Council of Health Insurance) | SAR 600 – 3,500 per year | Depends on age group and hospital network |
| Phase 6: Qiwa platform | Establishment’s annual subscription to the Qiwa platform | SAR 1,265 – 2,645 for small establishments | Rises as the workforce grows |
| Phase 7: Balady licence | Commercial and office activity licence and signboard (Balady platform) | SAR 500 – 2,500 per year for offices | Depends on premises area and the electronic lease |
| Phase 7: Civil Defense | Safety certificate for administrative office premises (Salama platform) | SAR 100 – 500 for offices | Issued electronically together with the Balady licence |
2. Updated Comparison Matrix of the Five Legal Forms
| Criterion | Limited Liability Company (LLC) | Simplified Joint Stock Company (SJSC) | Foreign Branch | Entrepreneur Licence (Startups) | GCC Investor Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best use | Operating companies and stable joint ventures | Tech startups and VC-backed projects | Direct expansion of large global companies | Innovative entrepreneurs and incubated projects | GCC entrepreneurs and companies |
| Foreign ownership | Up to 100% | Up to 100% | 100%, belongs to the parent company | Up to 100% for individuals | 100% for GCC nationals and entities |
| Minimum capital | No general minimum (per the articles) | None (starts from SAR 1) | None as an independent entity | None | None, like a Saudi citizen |
| Documents required | CR and audited financial statements of the parent company | CR and financial statements (if the founder is a company) | CR and two years of audited financial statements of the parent company | Endorsement letter from a Saudi business incubator | National ID and GCC passport only |
| Share / quota classes | Equal fixed-value quotas | Multiple classes (preferred, ordinary, redeemable) | Not applicable (dependent branch) | Simplified quotas or shares | Depends on the chosen entity |
| Tax and Zakat treatment | 20% income tax on the foreign share | 20% income tax on the foreign share | 20% income tax on net profits | 20% income tax on net profits | Zakat only 2.5% (exempt from income tax) |
| Initial application gateway | Ministry of Investment (National Register) | Ministry of Investment (National Register) | Ministry of Investment (National Register) | Ministry of Investment (Invest portal) | Saudi Business Center directly |