FAQ

How to apply for investment registration?

You can view the required documents and apply through the following link: https://investsaudi.sa/ar/login

Who can get an investment registration?

The Ministry of Investment shall issue registration for legal entities (foreign companies) and individuals holding the Special Residency Permit.

Does the application require attendance at the Ministry's Business Center?

It is not necessary to attend the Ministry's headquarters, and you can submit an application for issuance of registration electronically through the following link: https://investsaudi.sa/ar/login

Is the presence of a local partner required? And can a local individual participate in the project for which registration is sought?

It depends on the type of activity specified, as some activities require the presence of a local partner, while others can be carried out without such a requirement.

When establishing a foreign company electronically from abroad, and where the partners are nationals of two different countries, is it required that authentication be completed separately in each respective country?

The service of authenticating documents shall be applied for through the Kingdom's representations abroad for each partner in the company to be established, regardless of the countries to which the partners belong, provided that the service is available in the Kingdom's representations in the partner's country.

What is meant by having a unified center to help with registration, is the unified center the Comprehensive Service Centers or the Saudi Business Center?

What is meant here is the Comprehensive Service Center, which does not itself carry out the registration but rather provides assistance and guidance. The registration is completed through the Ministry’s electronic portal.

Is the Gulf investor a local investor?

Yes, the Gulf investor is considered a local investor unless there are foreign investors under the ownership of the Gulf company in its country.

What are the restrictions for transferring money abroad in the current and new law?

Money transfer is made subject to the laws and regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

What is the meaning of ownership freedom for foreigners and locals, and does it extend to the boundaries of the Two Holy Mosques?

It does not include the boundries of the Two Holy Mosques, and this is subject to the law of foreign ownership and investment of real estate.

What are the paths of investment registration ?

There are two paths :

Available Activities
Restricted activities

The duration of the examination of the application shall be a maximum of 10 days

Is the investor allowed to obtain an (Entrepreneurial) registration?

Yes, as the Ministry of Investment undertakes this by studying the submitted documents and approving the registration accordingly

With the new registration system, are there restrictions on adding activities to some of the current types of licenses, such as professional activities and law ?

Professional activities are registered on their own and non-service activities cannot be combined with them, but the registration certificate will not be called professional registration

What is the difference between a national registry and an investor registry?

The National Registry is the responsibility of the Ministry and is not related to the investor. Investor Registry, however, is a procedure that the investor is required to complete before commencing investment. The information from this registration feeds into the National Registry, along with additional information provided by other authorities.

What documents are required to apply for registration?

The required documents depend on the type of registration and activity chosen by you, and can be viewed when submitting the application.

Can a Gulf investor get an investment registration?

Investors who are citizens of the GCC countries and their 100% owned companies enjoy the same systems and features provided directly to Saudi citizens, and the application is made through the Ministry of Commerce.

How many activities are allowed to be added in the registration certificate?

There is no specific number, but activities shall be practiced after addition.

Is it necessary to translate the documents submitted to the Ministry of Investment?

Translation of documents submitted to Misa is not required but some other ministries may require translation of documents.

Can any activity be selected to apply for a temporary certificate for the purpose of bidding on government projects?

It is not allowed, as the certificate is for contracting projects only.

Is it possible to register one email for two companies?

Each company shall have a different email address in the Ministry's system.

Can I get a copy to register in English?

The investment registration is issued in Arabic only and the company can translate the certificate by one of the certified translation offices.

Who is entitled to obtain the power of attorney on behalf of the partner in the service of establishing foreign companies electronically from outside the Kingdom?

A copy of the foreign entity’s commercial registration, certified by the Saudi Embassy.

If one of the partners is a Saudi national, is it possible to benefit from the service of establishing the foreign company electronically?

Saudi partners may benefit from the service, provided that their information is verified as follows:
If the partner is an individual, their identity shall be verified through the National Information Center.
If the partner is a legal entity, the identity of the authorized representative/agent of the entity shall be verified based on the data registered with the Ministry of Commerce.

What are the documents required in the investment law?

A copy of the commercial registration of the foreign entity, certified by the Saudi Embassy.
A copy of the ID, if one of the partners is a natural person (individual) holding the nationality of one of the GCC countries (in case their information is not registered in the Absher system).
The financial statements for the last fiscal year of the foreign company applying for registration, certified by the Saudi Embassy.
Provision of the requirements related to the type of activity to be registered.
Holders of the Special Residency Permit are exempt from submitting the commercial registration and financial statements.

Is the Memorandum of Association issued electronically or manually to serve the incorporation of the foreign company from abroad?

The Memorandum of Association and the issuance of the Commercial Register shall be documented electronically after registering and opening a file on the website of the Ministry of Commerce

Who is the person authorized to apply to the Ministry of Commerce to benefit from the service of establishing the foreign company electronically from abroad?

Registration is made on the Ministry of Commerce portal to obtain the service through the facility's liaison officer who is registered with the Ministry of Investment.

Can the customer obtain the service of issuing the investment license separately only in the service of establishing the foreign company electronically from abroad?

Yes, the customer can obtain the service of issuing the investment license only and complete the rest of the application to document the contract and obtain the record.

What are the Ministry's communication channels?

investorCare@misa.gov.sa Email
8002449990 Telephone number from inside the Kingdom:
Telephone number from outside the Kingdom: 00966115065777

Are contracting or service companies entitled to import special technology equipment from outside the Kingdom to implement their projects? Do contracting or service companies have the right to import materials?

It is allowed for service investment companies in the contracting sector to implement contracts to import goods and materials after matching the actual incoming with what is mentioned in the contracts in force, provided that its purpose shall be consistent with commercial and investment activity, and does not require the owners of those licenses and commercial records to add the word import and export to their licenses or commercial records, and those who face problems in clearing their imports shallreview the Department of Entries in the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority.

Are there specific activities to invest in Saudi Arabia?

There are no specific activities and any authorized activity can be invested in, provided that its requirements shall be met.

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