Investment License
Your MISA investment license, handled end to end
The investment license issued by the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia is the legal foundation of every foreign-owned business in the Kingdom. We manage eligibility, attestation, submission and issuance.
Eligibility
Who needs an investment license?
Any non-Saudi party intending to own and operate a business in the Kingdom requires a MISA license before incorporation.
Foreign corporate investors
Overseas companies establishing a subsidiary, branch or joint venture in the Kingdom.
Individual foreign investors
Non-Saudi individuals seeking to own a Saudi commercial or professional entity.
Regional headquarters
Multinationals consolidating regional leadership functions in Riyadh under the RHQ programme.
Documents
Required documents
- Commercial registration of the parent company (attested)
- Audited financial statements for the last financial year
- Board resolution appointing an authorised representative
- Passport copies of shareholders and managers
- Lease or national address confirmation
- Certified Arabic translations of all corporate documents
Timeline
Expected timeline
- Week 1Eligibility assessment, fixed-fee scope and document checklist issued.
- Weeks 1–3Home-country documents attested, translated and assembled.
- Week 3MISA application submitted and fees settled.
- Weeks 3–4Regulator queries resolved and license issued.
Benefits of a licensed entity
- 100% foreign ownership in most activities
- Legal standing to sponsor employees and open bank accounts
- Access to government tenders and incentive programmes
- Eligibility for Premium Residency and investor visas
Authorities
Government authorities involved
We represent you before every authority in the chain, so you deal with one point of contact.
Ministry of Investment (MISA)
Issues and renews the investment license and approves activity scope.
Ministry of Commerce
Reserves the trade name and issues the Commercial Registration.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Attests home-country corporate documents for use in the Kingdom.
ZATCA
Registers the entity for corporate income tax, VAT and e-invoicing.
Ministry of Human Resources
Opens the labour file and sets Saudization obligations.
Sector regulators
Grant second-tier approvals for regulated activities such as health and finance.
Process
The application process
- 1
Eligibility and activity assessment
We confirm ownership eligibility, ISIC activity codes and any second-tier regulator approvals.
- 2
Document attestation
Corporate documents legalised through the Saudi embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with certified translation.
- 3
MISA submission
Application filed on the MISA portal with fee settlement and authorised representative details.
- 4
Regulator liaison
Queries and clarification requests answered on your behalf until approval.
- 5
License issuance
License delivered with a post-license roadmap for CR, banking and registrations.
FAQs
Investment license questions
Consultation
Apply for your investment license
Book a free consultation and receive a document checklist, timeline and fixed-fee quotation within 24 hours.