Business Growth in Saudi Arabia
Understanding the GOSI System in Saudi Arabia
A Compliance Guide for Foreign Companies
Get Compliant with Saudi Labor Laws Through the GOSI Portal
What is the GOSI System?
GOSI, or the General Organization for Social Insurance, is Saudi Arabia’s official social security system responsible for managing employee contributions and providing benefits. Any company operating in the Kingdom is required to register with GOSI as soon as it begins hiring staff. The system applies to both Saudi and expatriate employees, though with different coverage. Saudi nationals are eligible for pension and unemployment benefits under GOSI, while expatriate employees are covered only under occupational hazard insurance. Holding a valid GOSI certificate is essential for a range of business functions. It is required to process Iqamas (residency visas), run compliant monthly payroll, and participate in government bids or contracts. Additionally, GOSI registration is a prerequisite for accessing key government platforms such as Muqeem, Qiwa, Absher, and Mudad, all of which are integral to employee and compliance management in Saudi Arabia.
1. How to Register with GOSI
Registering with GOSI is a straightforward process that businesses need to complete to comply with Saudi labor laws. Follow these steps: Create an Account: Go to the official GOSI portal (gosi.gov.sa) and set up an account for your business by providing essential company details. Submit Required Documents: You’ll need to submit key business information and documents, including your company’s registration, tax ID, and details about your employees (both Saudi and non-Saudi). Employee Enrollment: Once your company is registered, enroll your employees into the system by adding their personal details, such as employment status, salary, and identification information. Verify Contributions: GOSI automatically calculates the contributions based on the employee’s salary. These contributions must be paid monthly to ensure compliance. Obtain the GOSI Certificate: After registering and making the necessary contributions, you can generate your GOSI certificate electronically through the portal. This certificate is valid for 30 days and must be regularly updated.
2. Why the GOSI Certificate Matters
1. Required to sponsor employees and issue visas. 2. Enables monthly payroll compliance and access to WPS (wage protection) 3. Necessary for government bidding and public sector contracts 4. Integrated with Qiwa, Muqeem, Absher, and Mudad 5. Without an active GOSI certificate, your business operations can face serious disruption.
3. AstroLabs' GOSI Compliance Services
We take full ownership of your GOSI lifecycle, including: 1. Company registration on GOSI portal 2. Monthly salary uploads and payment reconciliation 3. Employee additions, removals, and updates 4. Certificate generation and deadline monitoring 5. Full integration across all government platforms
Company Formation in Saudi Arabia for Foreign Companies: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Prepare Company Documents
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Memorandum and Articles of Association (MoA and AoA)
- Audited financial statements
- Board resolution to expand into Saudi Arabia
Step 2: Obtain MISA License
Step 3: Register with Government Entities
- Ministry of Commerce (MoC) - for commercial registration
- Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority - for tax compliance
- General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI)
- Chamber of Commerce
- Saudi Post - to obtain a national address
Step 4: National Address Management:
Step 5: Appoint a General Manager and Obtain an Iqama
- Muqeem: employee sponsorship management
- Absher: government services portal
- Qiwa: workforce management
Step 6: Open a Corporate Bank Account
Step 7: Hire and Issue Visas
Avoid Common Cases of Non-Compliance in Saudi Arabia with AstroLabs’ GRO Solutions
Missed Deadlines
Operational Interruptions
Amendment Needs
Portal Issues
AstroLabs Advantage
| Offering | AstroLabs | Corporate Services Companies offering PRO & GRO | Law Firms | In-House |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40+ on-ground local team of experts |  |  | | |
| Government portal management and compliance support | | | | |
| Full management of your company licenses and certificates | | | | |
| Management of registered employees across the employee journey, from hiring to ongoing management | | | | |
| Full suite of support: PRO, GRO, HRs support and access to a pool of Saudi talent | | | | |
| National Address Registration with varied coworking and private office locations | | | | |
| Seamlessly manage GRO services online using a digital platform | | | | |
| Corporare bank account opening | | | | |
| Access to a community of 700+ high-growth businesses in Saudi Arabia | | | | |
| Extended media and exposure support through press releases, social media coverage and articles | | | | |
| Opportunity-matchmaking with potential partners in governmental entities and corporates | | | | |
| Access to global and regional events such as BIBAN, LEAP, Seamless, etc | | | | |