Business Licenses Offered by MISA to Foreign Investors
Types of Business Licenses Offered by the Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia (MISA) to Foreign Investors You want to expand your business into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but you know nothing about the procedures. Don’t worry! The business setup in Saudi Arabia is not a hard nut to crack. All you need is proper guidance about the available license options. We will provide you with detailed information through this blog. Move forward to the next step with Al Taasis. Foreign Direct Investment on the Rise in Saudi Arabia Foreign investment is at its peak in Saudi Arabia, reaching a historical high in Q1 2022 with a record-breaking number of new licenses. Saudi Arabia marks the seventh consecutive quarterly rise, the first quarter witnessing 9,383 new foreign investment licenses. The Number of Newly Issued Foreign Investment Licenses (quarterly) 9383, new licenses issued in Q1 2022 (total) 19x increase compared to Q1 2021 350% quarterly increase in licenses Get an Investor License in Saudi Arabia The Ministry of Investment caters to local and international investors equally with the same rights and obligations. The Ministry of Investment, along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce, has accelerated the issuing of investment licenses as per international best practices. List of Business Licenses Offered by MISA Services License Industrial License Real Estate License Commercial License Transport License Consulting License Entrepreneur License Agricultural License Mining License Regional Headquarters License Audiovisual Media License License for Scientific and Technical Office Printing and Publishing License Professional License with Shareholder License for Serving Agents and Providing Workers Services Services License A service activity license covers the following activities: Constructions Administrative Investment Information Technology Tourism Training Health Insurance and Re-Insurance Education Advertising and Media Logistic Services Organising Exhibitions Catering and Food Services Financial Services Aviation and Handling Services Required Documents 1. You will provide these: a) A copy of the commercial registration of the shareholding partner certified by the Saudi Embassy. b) A copy of the national identity, if one of the partners is a natural person holding the nationality of one of the GCC countries (in case his data is not registered in the ABSHAR system). 2. You will provide the foreign company’s financial statements for the last financial year certified by the Saudi Embassy. Rules and Restrictions 1. There should be consistency between the total percentage of the Saudi shareholder(s) and the capital as per the financial limits stated for the type of activity. 2. Premium residence holders have an exemption for the above documents. 3. If one of the partners was previously licensed by the Ministry of Investment, it must be mentioned in the partners’ data while filling out the electronic application. 4. The applicant must enter the data of the Saudi national identity / Premium residence/residence if one of the partners holds any of them or the commercial registration data for the participating Saudi companies while filling out the electronic application. 5. In case the license is a health activity, the following shall be required: – The legal entity must be a company. – The health facility must have accreditation from a recognised health organisation. – Have at least three years of experience in the country of the establishment. Industrial License You can get industrial licenses for heavy and light industries and transformative industries. Required Documents 1. You will provide these: a) A copy of the commercial registration of the shareholding partner certified by the Saudi Embassy. b) A copy of the national identity if one of the partners is a natural person holding the nationality of one of the GCC countries (in case his data is not registered in the ABSHAR system). 2. You will provide the foreign company’s financial statements for the last financial year certified by the Saudi Embassy Rules and Restrictions 1. If one of the partners was previously licensed by the Ministry of Investment, it must be mentioned in the partners’ data while filling out the electronic application. 2. Premium residence holders have an exemption from providing the above documents. 3. The applicant must enter the data of the Saudi national identity / Premium residence/residence if one of the partners holds any of them or the commercial registration data for the participating Saudi companies during the electronic application submission. 4. The licensee must rehearse the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources to obtain an industrial license and the General Presidency of Meteorology and Environmental Protection to acquire an environmental approval. License for a Scientific and Technical Office This license is for the foreign companies that distribute their company products through Saudi agents across the Kingdom and intend to open an office for providing scientific and technical services to agents, distributors and consumers of their products. Required Documents You will provide: 1. A copy of the commercial register of the participating entity authenticated by the Saudi Embassy. 2. A copy of the agency authorising the agent or distributor. Rules and Restrictions 1. The scientific and technical office will be required to conduct market feasibility studies on the company’s activity and prepare reports for the main centre. An annual summary of its activities must be submitted to the Ministry of Investment. 2. The office is prohibited from performing any contracts, commercial activities, or investments in the Kingdom directly or indirectly. It is also prohibited from charging fees for training Saudi technicians. Real Estate License This license is provided to foreign companies in the property field if: The total cost of the project, including both land and construction, is not less than 30 million Saudi riyals. The investment is established outside the cities of Mecca and Medina. Required Documents 1. You will provide these: a) A copy of the commercial registration of the shareholding partner certified by the
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