Service investment route
Service Company Setup for Foreign Investors in Saudi Arabia (100% Ownership)
Set up a 100% foreign-owned service company in Saudi Arabia, with no fixed minimum capital in most activities.
Activities covered
IT and software
Management and financial consulting
Contracting and construction
Logistics and transport
Tourism, hospitality and restaurants
Healthcare
Education and training
Maintenance and operations
Conditions and capital
- Ownership: 100% foreign.
- Documents: the parent company’s commercial registration and its financial statements for the last fiscal year, attested by the Saudi embassy, plus the requirements of the registered activity.
- Capital: no fixed minimum capital in most activities under the new Companies Law, subject to the conditions of some restricted activities such as transport, real estate and classified contracting.
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.
A Chamber of Commerce subscription also applies, based on the company’s category.
Timeline and staff
- Investment registration with MISA: within up to 10 working days of a complete application.
- Articles of association and Commercial Registration through the Saudi Business Center: within 72 hours.
- General manager’s visa: issued after the company’s files are opened with Qiwa, Muqeem and GOSI.
Exemptions
Premium Residency holders are exempt from submitting the foreign commercial registration and attested financial statements for investment 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
Do I need a set amount of capital for a foreign service company?
There is no fixed minimum capital in most service activities under the new Companies Law, subject to the conditions of some restricted activities such as transport, real estate and classified contracting.
Can I set up without a parent company abroad?
The standard route asks for parent company documents. Premium Residency holders are exempt from the foreign commercial registration and financial statements, and the Entrepreneur licence allows this for technology and innovation startups.
Has the SAR 62,000 foreign investment licence fee been cancelled?
Its collection has stopped. Under the previous system the cost was a SAR 2,000 basic licence fee + a SAR 10,000 Investor Services subscription in the first year, then SAR 60,000 in following years (SAR 62,000 a year with the licence fee). Under the new Investment Law the process became registration in the National Investor Register, the SAR 10,000 and SAR 60,000 subscriptions were suspended, and the registration fee is set in MISA’s payment notice on approval according to the activity classification.
Start your service company setup
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