Includes steps involved in establishing a local office.
Last Published: 1/22/2020

The procedures to establish an office in Saudi Arabia differ according to the type of business undertaken.  To open an office in Saudi Arabia, a foreign company must submit a copy of its articles of association as incorporated in the country of origin; a copy of its commercial registration; a written approval by the board of directors of the company, its chief executive officer/president, or a similar entity related to their decision to open a subsidiary office; the name of the city where the office will be established; and the name of the subsidiary’s manager to the Ministry of Commerce and Investment .  All the aforementioned documents must be attested by the Saudi Embassy in Washington, D.C.  The most common and direct method is simply to appoint an agent/distributor who can set up the office under its own commercial registry.  The agent/distributor agreement should be registered with the Ministry of Commerce and Investment. The Commercial Agency regulations govern the conduct of the agent/distributor.

Types of offices:
Technical and Scientific Service Office: This type of office requires a license from the Ministry of Commerce and Investment.  This approach preserves the independence and identity of the foreign company and provides more leeway in managing and marketing the company’s products and/or services.  Technical and scientific service offices are not allowed to engage directly or indirectly in commercial activities, but they may provide technical and advisory support to Saudi distributors, as well as conduct market surveys and product research.

  • Branch Office:  Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Investment Law permits international companies to own 100 percent of projects and property required for the project itself, while enabling them to retain the same incentives given to national companies.  A branch office involves a more direct presence than a commercial agent.  Branch offices are largely restricted to an administrative role and may not engage in trading activities.  Nevertheless, a branch office can be very useful as a liaison presence for a U.S. company.  A branch office offers the benefits of a physical presence without the formal requirements of a joint-venture company.  A U.S. company can open an independent branch office without a Saudi partner.  Its parent company must accept full responsibility for all work undertaken by that branch office.
  • Liaison Office: Establishing a liaison office is normally granted only for companies that have multiple contracts with the government and require a local office to oversee contract implementation. Representative offices are not allowed to engage in direct or indirect commercial activities in the Kingdom.Joint Venture:  A company can establish a joint venture with a legally registered Saudi firm.  Usually, the Saudi business community refers to limited liability partnerships as joint ventures.  These partnerships must also be registered with the Ministry of Commerce and Investment and the partners’ liabilities are limited to the extent of their investment in the partnership.  Finally, foreign companies can get a license from the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) to set up an industrial or a non-industrial project.  The SAGIA will license projects under the new Foreign Investment Act, which allows for 100 percent foreign ownership.  In addition, foreign investors can open a sales/administration/marketing office to complement their industrial or non-industrial project.  The SAGIA has a broad mandate on all matters relating to foreign investments in industry, services, agriculture, and contracting.

The Saudi Companies Law, which came into effect in 2016, is the principal body of legislation governing the conduct of companies in the Kingdom.  The law recognizes eight forms of companies.  The most common forms are limited-liability companies (LLC), joint stock companies, general partnerships, and limited partnerships.  The less common company forms are partnerships limited by shares and joint ventures.  Apart from the above, Shari’a Law specifies several other types of companies but these cannot be used by foreign investors. Foreign companies usually establish LLCs, which are a popular corporate vehicle because they are simple to establish and administer and the personal liability of each of the partners is limited to the individual partner’s contribution to the company’s share capital.

Partnerships and joint stock companies are established only in exceptional cases because of their complexities, the purposes for which they are suited, and associated costs.  The costs of doing business in Saudi Arabia are substantially lower than those in the West.  Commercial and industrial rents average $5.33$-26.67 per square meter per year.  The rate is much lower in industrial cities, where it  ranges from $0.27-$1.33 per square meter per year.  Rentals for residential accommodation can vary immensely depending on location and quality of housing.  Utilities and electricity costs are at $0.048 per KwH for industrial use.  Water costs range from $0.040-$ 2.40 per cubic meter.. Adding to these costs is the five percent value-added tax (VAT) imposed on January 1, 2018.  Employee costs vary based on the employee’s status, position, relevant skills, and experience.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.