How to Register a Company in Saudi Arabia: Fees & Steps

Entrepreneurs and investors in Saudi Arabia can set up a company fully online through the Saudi Business Center at business.sa, where applicants choose a legal form and submit the incorporation application electronically before moving to municipal licensing.

For a limited liability company, the Ministry of Commerce charges SAR 1,200 for the commercial registration and SAR 500 for publication, plus 15% VAT, with the service issued immediately. A simple company costs SAR 1,000 for the registration and SAR 500 for publication, plus 15% VAT, also issued instantly. A sole establishment can obtain its commercial registration electronically for a published fee of SAR 500. Applicants may select a registration period of one to five years where the service allows, and pay invoices through SADAD or bank card.

Annual renewal fees vary by legal form: SAR 1,600 for a joint-stock or simplified joint-stock main registration, SAR 1,200 for an LLC, and SAR 800 for a simple or joint limited partnership. Branch registrations are set at SAR 800, SAR 600, and SAR 400 respectively.

Municipal Licensing via Balady

After obtaining or entering the commercial registration, businesses apply for the municipal commercial license through Balady. Applicants select the activity and area, identify the location, enter shop or mobile-cart details, and pay the calculated fees. The license may cover business, environmental, industrial, medical, food, tourism, professional, and Civil Defense safety permits.

Instant-eligible licenses are issued after payment, while other activities require municipal review, with a stated processing period of one to ten days. Balady accepts SADAD, Visa, Mastercard, Mada, and Apple Pay. Renewals are available electronically and may be instant or non-instant depending on the activity and location. The exact license fee is activity- and location-specific, so no single universal amount applies.

The streamlined digital process reflects wider efforts to make it easier for residents, expats, and investors to launch businesses across the Kingdom.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving