Madinah: Your Business Gateway to Saudi Arabia
Learn how to navigate the setup process, tap into strategic growth projects like Rua Al Madinah, and establish your footprint in one of Saudi Arabia’s fastest-growing regions
Madinah: Your Business Gateway to Saudi Arabia
Over 213 development projects valued at SAR 210 billion ($56 billion) are currently underway in Al Madinah, driving the growth of its tourism, hospitality, and real estate infrastructure. At the heart of this transformation is Rua Al Madinah, a major mixed-use development featuring luxury hotels, commercial spaces, and an innovative tunnel network. These strategic initiatives create lucrative opportunities for international companies setting up a business in Saudi Arabia.
How to Legally Establish Your Business
First Stage: Legal Entity Establishment (1 Month)
- Obtain a MISA Investor License (valid for one year)
- Reserve company name
- Draft & notarize Articles of Association (AoA)
- Secure Commercial Registration (CR) from the Ministry of Commerce
- Register with the Chamber of Commerce (CoC)
Second Stage: Authorization & Hiring (2–3 Months)
- Obtain the official company seal
- Register with the Ministry of Labor
- Enroll with GOSI for employee insurance
- Register the business National Address
- Issue a General Manager (GM) visa
- Register with ZATCA for VAT compliance
Rua Al Madinah: Transforming Madinah’s Urban Future
Massive Scale & Vision
Rua Al Madinah covers around 1.5 million m², making it one of the largest hospitality and real estate developments in the region.
Hospitality Powerhouse
The project is expected to deliver 47,000 hospitality units, designed to accommodate up to 149,000 visitors by 2030.
Economic Impact
At full build-out, Rua Al Madinah is projected to contribute $37 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP.
Vision 2030 Alignment
The development supports Saudi Arabia’s ambition to host 30 million pilgrims by 2030, enhancing the visitor journey with integrated transport, sustainable infrastructure, and world-class services.
Post‑Registration Compliance
Tax Filing with ZATCA
File your annual tax returns through ZATCA (formerly GAZT) to remain compliant with Saudi tax regulations.
Business License Renewals
Be vigilant about renewing your Commercial Registration (CR), MISA license, and the GM’s Iqama, as well as any other required approvals.
Government Platform Management
Keep your accounts active and updated on Muqeem, Qiwa, and Mudad platforms to ensure smooth compliance and reporting
Payroll and HR Compliance
Regularly report payroll and social insurance obligations, keeping salary records and GOSI registrations current.
Saudization (Nitaqat) Requirements
You must meet local hiring (Saudization) targets based on your industry and company size. Failing to comply can lead to restrictions or operational penalties.
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 | | | | |
| Corporate 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 | | | | |