- Foreign owners register with MISA first, then get a CR. A complete MISA file takes about 10 working days to review.
- Plan on about 2–4 months from apostilled documents to an open Saudi bank account.
- Government fees are small. An LLC's CR costs SAR 1,200 plus SAR 500 publication, plus VAT.
- Adviser packages run about SAR 5,000–80,000, depending on scope. Get the government fees and the adviser's fee as separate lines.
- Never accept a borrowed CR or a nominee owner. That's tasattur, and it can mean prison, a SAR 5 million fine and deportation.
Saudi Arabia is the biggest ecommerce market in the Gulf. And it's never been easier for a foreign owner to set up there.
Since 2025, foreign investors register with MISA online instead of applying for a licence. One CR now covers the whole Kingdom.
Still, the process has a lot of moving parts. There's an apostille, MISA, the CR and five or six government accounts before you can open a bank account.
That's where a Saudi company formation consultant earns its fee. Below you'll find the steps, what they cost in SAR, the red flags and 5 independently researched firms. For the regional picture, including UAE options, see our main list of business setup consultants in the Middle East.
Do you need a company formation consultant in Saudi Arabia?
If you're a foreign owner, almost certainly yes. The MISA portal is online, but the files, Arabic documents and government visits are easier with a local team.
It depends on who you are:
- Saudi citizen selling online. You can register a sole establishment yourself on the Saudi Business Center for SAR 500. No consultant needed.
- Saudi or GCC founders forming an LLC. You can file online too. Many still hire an adviser for the articles of association and the government accounts.
- Foreign company or individual. You need MISA registration, then a CR. Most foreign owners use a consultant or a law firm.
What type of adviser should you hire?
Four kinds of firm set up Saudi companies. They overlap, but each has a sweet spot.
| Saudi setup consultancy | Law firm | Regional setup agent | Do it yourself | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examples | Motaded, Analytix, Corprights | Saudi corporate law firms | Creative Zone, Commitbiz | Saudi Business Center, MISA portal |
| Best for | A standard foreign-owned LLC | Joint ventures, complex shareholder deals, regulated activities | Sellers who set up in the UAE first | Saudi citizens and simple GCC-owned companies |
| Handles MISA and the CR | Yes | Yes | Yes, often through a Saudi team or partner | You file yourself |
| Government accounts and PRO work | Usually included | Sometimes, or through a partner | Usually included | You do it |
| Accounting and tax after setup | Often offered | Rarely | Often offered | Separate firm |
| How they charge | Fixed package or milestones | Hourly or fixed legal fee | Package price | Government fees only |
Most online sellers with a standard LLC use a setup consultancy. A law firm earns its fee when a Saudi partner is involved or the activity needs a sector licence.
What does a Saudi setup consultant actually do?
They take you from your home-country documents to a Saudi company that can trade, hire and get paid. Here are the steps they'll run for a foreign-owned LLC:
- 1
Apostille your parent documents
Your company registration, articles and latest accounts need an apostille and an Arabic translation. Saudi Arabia joined the Apostille Convention on 7 December 2022.
- 2
Register with MISA
The adviser opens an establishment account on the Invest Saudi portal and submits your file. MISA reviews a complete file in about 10 working days.
- 3
Pay the MISA fee
MISA sets the fee on approval. You have 15 business days to pay, or the registration lapses.
- 4
Draft the articles and get the CR
The Ministry of Commerce decides within 10 days of a complete application. The CR covers the whole Kingdom.
- 5
Open the government accounts
Chamber of Commerce, ZATCA (VAT and zakat), GOSI, Qiwa and Muqeem. Your National Address goes on file too.
- 6
Open a bank account and go live
Banks run their own checks, which often take the longest. Once you're live, add your online store to the CR within 30 days.
The whole run usually takes 2–4 months. Apostilles and the bank account are the slow parts, not MISA.
Want the portal, documents and fee rules in detail? Read our MISA investment registration guide. The CR rules for Saudi founders are in our guide to Saudi business registration.
Which activities can a foreign owner register?
Your activity decides your capital, and that matters more than any consultant's fee. Under MISA's 2026 rules:
- 100% foreign-owned trading. Selling goods needs SAR 30 million in capital and a presence in at least three other markets.
- Trading with a Saudi partner. At least 25% Saudi ownership and about SAR 26.67 million in capital.
- Many service activities. Software, app development and marketing services often have no minimum capital.
So a small online shop selling physical goods rarely fits a 100% foreign trading company. Your consultant should check the activity codes with you on day one, before any fees are paid.
What do company formation consultants in Saudi Arabia charge?
Government fees are a small share of the bill. The adviser's own fee varies most, so ask for the two as separate lines.
| Line | Who you pay | Typical 2026 amount |
|---|---|---|
| CR registration, LLC | Ministry of Commerce | SAR 1,200 + SAR 500 publication, plus 15% VAT |
| Trade name | Ministry of Commerce | SAR 200 (Arabic) or SAR 500 (English) |
| Chamber of Commerce | Chamber | About SAR 300–3,000 a year, by city and class |
| MISA registration | MISA | Set on approval, not published |
| Adviser's setup fee | The consultant | About SAR 5,000–80,000, by scope |
| Annual CR confirmation, LLC | Ministry of Commerce | SAR 1,200 a year |
The adviser fees in our list fall inside that range. Analytix's FAQ puts its legal and consultancy fees at SAR 20,000–50,000. Corprights gives an indicative first-year cost of SAR 25,000–45,000 for a standard foreign-owned business.
What moves the price? Mostly scope:
- The structure. An LLC costs less to set up than a branch, a joint venture or a regional headquarters.
- Sector licences. SFDA approval for cosmetics or food adds work.
- What's bundled. Visas, iqamas, a virtual office and the first year of accounting all add to the package.
CorpSec puts a first-year total of about SAR 30,000–50,000 on a company with no staff. A resident manager, staff and an office push that much higher.
Worked example: year one and year two for a services LLC
Say a UK agency registers a 100% foreign-owned marketing LLC in Riyadh. It picks an English trade name and an entry-level Chamber class. Marketing has no minimum capital, so the bill is fees only:
| Line | Year one (SAR) | Year two (SAR) |
|---|---|---|
| CR + publication, with 15% VAT | 1,955 | – |
| English trade name | 500 | – |
| Annual CR confirmation | – | 1,200 |
| Chamber of Commerce | 300 | 300 |
| Adviser's fee (Analytix range) | 20,000–50,000 | Retainer, if you keep one |
| Total | 22,755–52,755 | 1,500 + retainer |
Year two costs a fraction of year one. The adviser's fee is the line to negotiate, so get it fixed in writing.
The MISA fee, an office and any visas sit on top of both columns.
Company formation consultants in Saudi Arabia
Five firms on this list file Saudi setups for clients: three local consultancies and two regional agents. MISA is here too, as the official registry rather than a paid service. All were independently researched, in no particular order.
Creative Zone
Best for: Sellers planning UAE first and Saudi second who want one agent for both
- Says it has helped 75,000+ startups and SMEs over 15 years
- Setup packages for UAE, KSA and Qatar 'from AED 5,750'
Commitbiz
Best for: Sellers wanting licence plus ongoing VAT/corporate tax compliance from one firm
- 20,000+ clients, 19+ years, 200+ team members, 4.8 Google rating from 900+ reviews
- Renewals from AED 5,760 (free zone) and AED 18,000 (mainland)
- Explicitly states it is a private consultancy, not a government entity
MISA / Invest Saudi (official)
Best for: Foreign (incl. Chinese) sellers setting up a 100%-owned Saudi entity - use with a local agent or law firm
- Government ministry; mandatory registration step for foreign-owned Saudi companies
- Promotes 15 priority sectors and an online Investment Registration Check
- Hosts Chinese investor delegations and has China-facing promotion (Invest Saudi)
Motaded Consultancy
Best for: Foreign sellers wanting a step-by-step Saudi LLC setup with published government-fee guidance
- the firm says MISA licence fees are currently suspended and CR costs SAR 1,775
- quotes MISA licence 7-10 days and CR 3-5 days with its service; full setup 8-12 weeks (max 90 days)
- advises on MISA capital rules for trading licences
Analytix (Saudi Arabia)
Best for: Foreign companies wanting a multi-city Saudi consultancy that also runs accounting and tax after setup
- the firm says it has helped 2,500 companies from 14 countries over 17+ years
- standard LLC in about 3-7 weeks (MISA licence 3-7 business days)
- publishes indicative cost ranges and a setup cost calculator
Corprights
Best for: Foreign sellers wanting setup plus ongoing Saudi compliance from one local firm
- the firm gives an indicative first-year cost of SAR 25,000-45,000 for a standard foreign-owned business
- five Saudi offices
- covers post-setup compliance (VAT, zakat, payroll)
How do you choose a Saudi company formation consultant?
Choose on local presence, a clear timeline and a fee split you can check. Then put the milestones in the contract.
- 1
Write a one-page brief
Your activities, ownership, capital, visa count, city and whether you'll hold stock. Send the same brief to every firm.
- 2
Shortlist three firms with a Saudi team
Ask where their staff sit and who files with MISA and the Ministry of Commerce. A regional agent should name its Saudi partner.
- 3
Ask for an activity check first
A good adviser confirms your activity codes and capital rule before you pay a setup fee.
- 4
Compare written quotes line by line
Government fees, the adviser's fee, visas, translation and the year-two retainer. Ask what isn't included.
- 5
Agree milestones and a refund rule
Tie payments to MISA approval, the CR and the bank account. Ask what you get back if a step fails.
- 6
Plan the year after
Decide who handles VAT, zakat, e-invoicing, GOSI and the CR confirmation once you're live.
Need tax help once you're live? Compare VAT and tax advisors in Saudi Arabia.
What should you ask a Saudi setup consultant?
These questions separate a firm with a real Saudi team from a reseller. Put them to every shortlisted firm in writing:
Curious how we researched these firms? Here's how we vet service providers.
Notes for foreign and Chinese sellers
- Apostille, don't legalise. Since 7 November 2023, Chinese documents for Saudi use need only an apostille from China's foreign affairs office. Private documents such as accounts are notarised first.
- Test demand before you form. Marketplaces, an importer of record or a 3PL partner let you sell in Saudi Arabia without a company. Compare 3PL and fulfilment companies in Saudi Arabia.
- A UAE hub is a common first step. Many brands start in a UAE free zone and add Saudi Arabia later. See company formation consultants in the UAE.
- Chinese founders have a full route. Our guide to company setup in Saudi Arabia for Chinese businesses covers documents, capital and banking.
Notes for Saudi founders
- A sole establishment is the cheapest start. It costs SAR 500 to register and SAR 500 a year to confirm, issued instantly online.
- The Freelance Document doesn't cover goods. It suits services such as design or app development. To sell products, you need a CR.
- Register your store. Add your online store to the CR within 30 days of launch, and show the CR number on the site.
- Upgrade when you grow. An LLC makes sense once you add partners, take investment or need a bigger team.
Get company formation quotes for Saudi Arabia
Share your plans once. We'll match you with Saudi advisers that fit your activities, budget and timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. MISA lets foreign owners hold 100% in most activities. Adding a Saudi partner doesn't make goods trading cheap, though: with 25% Saudi ownership the capital floor only drops to SAR 26.67 million. That's why most small product sellers use marketplaces, or supply a Saudi company that sells under its own CR.
Sources & further reading
- Investor Guide (13th edition, March 2026) — Ministry of Investment (MISA)
- Updated Investment Law and Implementing Regulations — Ministry of Investment (MISA)
- Commercial Register Law — Ministry of Commerce, Saudi Arabia
- CR registration e-service and fees — Ministry of Commerce, Saudi Arabia
- Anti-Commercial Concealment Law — Ministry of Commerce, Saudi Arabia
- How much does it cost to set up a company in Saudi Arabia? — CorpSec
- Apostille Convention enters into force for Saudi Arabia — HCCH
- Business setup in Saudi Arabia — Analytix
- Business setup in Riyadh — Corprights
- Business setup services — Motaded Consultancy
This guide is for general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change — always confirm with the official source or a licensed advisor.
Maya is MiddleEastEcom's lead guide and editor. She researches GCC marketplaces, payments and regulations and turns them into practical playbooks for sellers.
Meet Maya