How to Open a Saudi Company as a GCC National

Citizens of the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman have a more direct route to company formation in Saudi Arabia than many other foreign investors.  Under GCC agreements, eligible investors can generally establish a business without separate MISA investment registration or a Saudi shareholder.

Nonetheless, the requirements will depend on the shareholding, type of business, and structure of the business. This guide explains who qualifies for registration, how the registration process is carried out, what documentation is required, and what fees and obligations should be taken into account. 

What Is a GCC National?

A GCC national is a citizen of one of the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the regional union formed in 1981. The members are:

• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates
• Kuwait
• Qatar
• Bahrain
• Oman

Indeed, Saudi Arabia is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and is home to the GCC headquarters in Riyadh. Citizenship is what counts here, not residence. For the purposes of company formation, an expat with a UAE resident visa residing in Dubai is not considered a GCC national. An Emirati, Kuwaiti or Qatari citizen is, wherever they live.

Your GCC national ID, such as an Emirati, Kuwaiti or Qatari ID card, is the main proof of nationality, along with your passport.

Who Can Register a Company in Saudi Arabia Under the GCC Route?

The GCC company formation route generally applies to:

• Individual GCC Citizens: Nationals of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman.
• Wholly GCC-Owned Companies: Businesses owned entirely by qualifying GCC nationals, subject to the applicable registration requirements.
• Existing GCC Businesses: Companies looking to establish a Saudi branch or a separate entity, depending on their ownership and proposed activities.

A GCC residence visa or a company registration in a GCC country does not automatically qualify someone for these benefits. If a GCC-registered company has non-GCC shareholders, different investment-registration requirements may apply.

Some sectors also require separate regulatory licences or approvals, even where the investor qualifies for GCC treatment.

Benefits of Saudi Company Formation for GCC Nationals 

Saudi Arabia grants GCC nationals close to national treatment in business within the framework of the common market created by the Gulf Cooperation Council. Below mentioned are some of the five benefits of starting a business in Saudi Arabia that nationals from GCC may enjoy.

1. No Separate MISA Investment Registration: GCC nationals and fully GCC-owned businesses may usually apply directly with the Ministry of Commerce without the requirement of going through the normal foreign investment registration procedure. Specific approvals may still apply to certain sectors.
2. Zakat Treatment: Companies owned by qualifying GCC nationals typically incur Zakat on the relevant ownership percentage. Zakat is assessed at a standard rate of 2.5% based on the relevant Zakat base for the Hijri financial year, and may require modifications from time to time. In case the company is owned by a non-GCC national, income tax treatment could be different.
3. Full ownership:  In most activities, a company may be 100% owned either by the GCC partner(s) or by another GCC national. Hence there is no need for a Saudi partner or sponsor to hold any shares in the company.
4. Wider choice of sectors: In contrast to other foreign investors, Gulf citizens have wider access to various sectors. However, there are also activities that are prohibited or subject to regulation in this respect.
5. Digital Company Registration: Most of the registration procedure is conducted online via the Saudi Business Center including the application process, document verification and Commercial Registration issuance. Some cases may still require additional approvals.

Here’s how that compares at a glance:

One thing to keep in mind: if you bring in a non-GCC partner later, that partner’s share is taxed under the income tax rules, and the company may need a MISA licence.

How to Register a Saudi Company as a GCC National 

Much of the company registration process can be completed online through the Saudi Business Center. The exact steps depend on your business activity, shareholders and required approvals. 

1. Choose Your Legal Structure and Business Activity 

Start with the legal form. A limited liability company is one option for GCC investors, but the right structure depends on the number of owners and the proposed activities. 

Already trading from Dubai, Doha or Kuwait City? Weigh a branch against a new LLC. A branch stays part of the parent company, while an LLC is a separate Saudi entity, which some clients and tenders prefer.

Then pick your activities from the Unified Economic Activities Guide. Most commercial, industrial, service and contracting work is open to GCC nationals, but not all of it.

Activities with Special Restrictions 

GCC nationals are generally treated similarly to Saudi citizens; however, the provisions of some activities still involve nationality, ownership, or professional licensing restrictions. Such activities may include:

• Hajj and Umrah services
• Legal and other regulated professions
• Hiring and employment of people
• Security services
• Certain types of businesses

GCC individuals’ eligibility depends on the specific business activity and rules governing it. Please verify the requirements with the Saudi Business Center and the sector authority before submitting your application.

Activities Requiring Additional Approval 

Others are open but come with a separate licence, and sometimes a Saudi partner. The approving body depends on the sector:

Some activities also set a minimum capital or require a licensed professional on the team. Lists like these change from time to time, so confirm your exact activity code before you reserve a name. It saves you from amending the Articles of Association later.

2. Reserve your trade name

Put forward a few name options on the platform. Each needs to work in Arabic and can’t copy or come too close to a name that’s already registered. Once it’s approved, the name is held for you while you finish the rest.

3. Prepare the Required Documents

The exact documents depend on whether you are registering as an individual, forming a company with partners or opening a branch of an existing GCC business.

For Individual GCC Investors

• Valid GCC national ID and passport details, as required
• Shareholder and manager information
• Proposed company name and business activities
• Articles of Association for a company structure that requires them
• Power of Attorney if an authorised representative submits the application

For GCC Corporate Shareholders or Branches

• Parent company’s commercial registration
• Memorandum or Articles of Association
• Resolution approving the Saudi company or branch
• Details and approval of the appointed manager
• Authorised representative’s documents, where applicable
• Authentication, translation or additional approvals where required

The Saudi Business Center may also request activity-specific information. Check the current document requirements before arranging attestations or submitting an application.

4. Obtain the Commercial Registration (CR)

Once the application is approved and the required fees are paid, the Commercial Registration is issued electronically.

Under the Commercial Register Law effective from April 2025, CRs no longer have a conventional expiry date. Businesses must confirm their registration details annually. Failure to complete this confirmation within 90 days of the due date can lead to suspension.

5. Complete Operating Requirements and Registrations

Although obtaining your Commercial Registration is significant, you must fulfill several other registrations and permissions before doing business.

• National Address: Verify the address of the company with Saudi Post.
• ZATCA: Verify your tax and Zakat registration statuses and see if you are required to register for VAT.
• Chamber of Commerce: Verify your registration and licensing status.
• Municipal and Sector Licenses: Get all necessary approvals for your operation.
• GOSI and Qiwa: Get familiarized with all requirements that refer to hiring employment according to guidelines.

Some processes may be automatically started during establishing a business. Be sure to check what has already been done and submit your application accordingly.

6. Apply for a Corporate Bank Account

Once your business starts running legally, it’s time to get a Saudi business bank account. The banks will check your Commercial Registration documents, details about your company and its shareholders, nature of your business and what business transactions you are going to carry out.

The approval of your account depends on how well the bank completes its verification. You will also have to meet all bank requirements for your bank account that are related to your Commercial Registration.

How Long Does Saudi Company Registration Take? 

With a standard LLC, complete papers and no regulated activity, the CR can be ready in a few working days. Attesting corporate documents, waiting on a sector approval or correcting errors in the Articles can push that to several weeks.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Company in Saudi Arabia?

There is no single company formation cost for GCC nationals in Saudi Arabia. Government registration fees depend on the legal structure and required services, while office rent, regulated-activity approvals, document authentication and professional support can increase the total.

Eligible GCC investors generally avoid the separate MISA investment-registration requirement, but they still need to budget for company registration and operating expenses.

• The company type, since a sole establishment is cheaper to form and maintain than an LLC or joint stock company
• Your activity, as regulated work adds approval fees and sometimes a capital requirement
• Office space, which varies by city and by whether your activity needs physical premises and a municipal licence
• Corporate shareholders, because their documents need attestation and translation
• Hiring, which brings GOSI contributions, work visa costs and Saudization obligations
• Running costs after setup, including bookkeeping, Zakat and VAT filings and the yearly CR confirmation

Settle your activity and structure first. Once those are fixed, every other cost becomes much easier to pin down.

How Express Business Service Helps GCC Nationals

GCC nationals have a more direct company registration route, but choosing the right activity, preparing Arabic documents and completing government procedures still require attention.

Express Business Service supports investors with company structure selection, document preparation, Commercial Registration applications and the relevant post-registration services.

• Advising on the right structure and activity codes before anything is filed
• Reserving your trade name and drafting the Articles of Association in Arabic
• Coordinating attestation for corporate shareholders
• Managing the CR application through to issue
• Completing the National Address, ZATCA, Chamber, GOSI and Qiwa registrations
• Supporting your corporate bank account application
• Reminding you of the annual CR confirmation and other compliance dates

Planning to set up in the Kingdom? Connect with our team and get guidance on your Saudi company registration. 

Conclusion

For GCC nationals, starting a business in Saudi Arabia can involve fewer investment-registration steps than the standard foreign-investor route. However, your company structure, business activity and ownership details still determine the approvals you need.

Before applying, confirm your eligibility, prepare the required documents and understand the costs and ongoing obligations. Express Business Service can help you organise these steps and move forward with your company registration.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Do GCC nationals need an iqama to run their Saudi company?

No. GCC citizens can live and work in Saudi Arabia without a residence permit, so you can manage your own company without an iqama. Non-Saudi employees you hire are a different matter and need work visas.

Is there a minimum capital for a GCC-owned LLC?

There’s no general minimum for an LLC. Even so, set the capital at a level that matches your plans, because banks and some government bodies look at it when you apply for accounts, contracts or visas.

Do I need a separate CR for each branch or city?

Not anymore. Under the current Commercial Register Law, one national CR covers your company’s activities and branches across the Kingdom.

Can My GCC-Owned Company Hire Foreign Employees?

Yes. A registered Saudi company can apply to recruit eligible foreign employees, subject to work permit, visa and applicable Saudization requirements. The company’s activity, workforce status and government registrations can affect its eligibility.

Can I change a sole establishment into an LLC later?

Yes. The Ministry of Commerce allows a sole establishment to be converted into a company as the business grows. You’ll need new Articles of Association and an updated CR.

Ready to Start Your Company in Saudi Arabia?

Opening a Saudi company as a GCC national can be straightforward with the right guidance. From choosing your business activity to preparing documents and completing registration, every step matters.

Express Business Service helps GCC nationals navigate the company formation process, understand the requirements and move forward with confidence.