RHQ and Entrepreneur route
Regional Headquarters (RHQ) and Entrepreneur Licences in Saudi Arabia
Two 100% foreign-owned routes: the Entrepreneur licence for tech startups, and the RHQ licence for multinational companies.
Who is this route for?
Tech startups
Innovative digital platforms and apps
Patent holders
Multinational companies
Regional management of groups
Entrepreneur licence
The Entrepreneur licence gives technology and innovation startups 100% foreign ownership, with an exemption from having an existing parent company abroad and from submitting certified financial statements (based on an endorsement letter from a licensed Saudi incubator or accelerator or a Saudi university). The registration fee is whatever MISA’s payment notice sets on approval.
Wholesale and retail trading (including online stores selling goods directly) is subject to the rules and capital of the trading activity (SAR 30 million for 100% ownership, or SAR 26,666,667 with a 25% Saudi partner). The Entrepreneur licence is reserved for technology and innovation startups and innovative digital platforms holding an endorsement letter from a licensed Saudi incubator or accelerator, a Saudi university, or a patent. It is not granted for conventional trading.
Regional Headquarters (RHQ) licence
A Regional Headquarters (RHQ) licence for multinational companies (with at least two branches or subsidiaries in two different countries other than Saudi Arabia and the parent’s home country) gives a 0% rate of income tax and withholding tax on qualifying activities for 30 years, a 10-year exemption from Saudization (Nitaqat) quotas, and work visas for RHQ staff with no preset numerical cap (based on actual need and the approved business plan). The RHQ must employ at least 15 full-time staff, including 3 executive-level managers, within the first year of the licence.
The RHQ does not carry out revenue-generating commercial operations other than qualifying regional management activities.
Government fees
Under the previous system, the investment licence cost SAR 2,000 as a basic licence fee plus a SAR 10,000 Investor Services subscription in the first year, rising to SAR 60,000 in the following years. Under the current Investment Law: the process has become registration in the National Investor Register, collection of the former high annual subscriptions (SAR 10,000 and SAR 60,000) has been suspended, and the registration fee is set officially by the Ministry of Investment in the payment notice issued when the application is approved, according to the activity classification.
Commercial Registration for an LLC: SAR 1,200 a year + SAR 500 to publish the articles of association + 15% VAT, through the Saudi Business Center. Under the new Commercial Registration Law, branch registrations and the traditional expiry date were abolished and replaced by an annual data confirmation.
Next step
We review your company: does it meet the Entrepreneur conditions, the RHQ conditions, or the standard service route? Then we prepare the file and follow it through to Commercial Registration.
Sources: Ministry of Investment Investor Guide (13th edition, 2026), the Commercial Registration Law, the Saudi Business Center, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the Saudi Industrial Development Fund. Last checked: 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Entrepreneur licence conditions?
The Entrepreneur licence gives technology and innovation startups 100% foreign ownership, with an exemption from having an existing parent company abroad and from submitting certified financial statements (based on an endorsement letter from a licensed Saudi incubator or accelerator or a Saudi university). The registration fee is whatever MISA’s payment notice sets on approval.
Does the Entrepreneur licence cover online stores?
Wholesale and retail trading (including online stores selling goods directly) is subject to the rules and capital of the trading activity (SAR 30 million for 100% ownership, or SAR 26,666,667 with a 25% Saudi partner). The Entrepreneur licence is reserved for technology and innovation startups and innovative digital platforms holding an endorsement letter from a licensed Saudi incubator or accelerator, a Saudi university, or a patent. It is not granted for conventional trading.
What are the RHQ benefits?
A Regional Headquarters (RHQ) licence for multinational companies (with at least two branches or subsidiaries in two different countries other than Saudi Arabia and the parent’s home country) gives a 0% rate of income tax and withholding tax on qualifying activities for 30 years, a 10-year exemption from Saudization (Nitaqat) quotas, and work visas for RHQ staff with no preset numerical cap (based on actual need and the approved business plan). The RHQ must employ at least 15 full-time staff, including 3 executive-level managers, within the first year of the licence.
Start your RHQ or Entrepreneur licence
Send us your activity details and we will reply with a legal assessment and a clear quote.