Industrial License in Saudi Arabia
Set up your manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia with the Industrial License. 100% foreign ownership, incentives, and a turnkey setup journey with AstroLabs.
Launch & Scale Manufacturing Operations with 100% Foreign Ownership in KSA
An Industrial License in Saudi Arabia allows companies to legally carry out manufacturing and industrial activities across the Kingdom spanning heavy, light, and transformative industries. The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIMR) is the government body responsible for issuing industrial licenses in Saudi Arabia.This license is essential for any business planning to produce or process goods locally and ensures compliance with Saudi regulatory frameworks. As the Kingdom pushes forward with Vision 2030, the industrial sector is central to economic diversification, making Saudi Arabia a prime destination for global manufacturers looking to access the GCC and broader MENA region to set up their business. An industrial license not only safeguards your operations legally but also unlocks a wide range of government incentives, streamlined regulations, and support services.
Categories of Industrial Licenses in KSA
There are three main categories of industrial licenses based on the nature and scale of your operations:
1. Heavy Industry License
For large-scale industrial operations with high capital and infrastructure requirements (e.g., metal production, energy, heavy machinery).
2. Light Industry License
Suited for smaller manufacturing units that require lower capital and limited space (e.g., textiles, small electronics).
3. Transformative Industry License
For companies transforming raw materials into finished goods through processes like refining, assembling, or packaging.
Company Formation in Saudi Arabia: Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Prepare Company Documents
Start by gathering essential documents, including:
- 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
Apply for an investment license from the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA). This step officially allows your foreign entity to operate in the Kingdom.
Step 3: Register with Government Entities
You'll need to complete registration with multiple Saudi governmental bodies:
- 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:
Ensuring accurate updates and renewals on the SPL portal.
Step 5: Appoint a General Manager and Obtain an Iqama
Foreign companies in Saudi Arabia must register on core platforms to ensure legal compliance:
- Muqeem: employee sponsorship management
- Absher: government services portal
- Qiwa: workforce management
Step 6: Open a Corporate Bank Account
Once your business is legally registered and operational, open a Saudi corporate bank account to handle transactions, payroll, and vendor payments.
Step 7: Hire and Issue Visas
Hire local employees in line with Saudi Arabia’s Saudization (Nitaqat) quota system. For international hires, you’ll need to issue work visas under the company’s sponsorship.
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 | | | | |