Obtain a Commercial Registration (CR) in Saudi Arabia
Whether you're establishing a subsidiary or a foreign branch, a commercial registration (CR) certificate is your official authorization to operate and conduct business activities in the Kingdom.
Commercial Registration (CR) in Saudi Arabia
Steps to Obtain a Commercial Registration (CR) in Saudi Arabia
Reserve a Trade Name
Submit your desired company name through the Ministry of Commerce’s online portal.
Prepare Articles of Association
Draft and notarize the Articles of Association (AoA) in compliance with Saudi legal requirements.
Get your Investment License (MISA)
Secure an investment license from the Ministry of Investment (MISA).
Obtain the CR
Once approved, your CR will be issued digitally via the Ministry of Commerce platform.
Company Registration in Saudi Arabia: Step-by-Step Guide
First Stage: Legal Entity Establishment
- 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
- 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
2025 Regulatory Updates
Saudi Arabia introduced significant reforms to the Commercial Registration Law, which include:
Single National Commercial Registration (SNCR)
Companies now receive one national CR that covers all branches, eliminating the need for separate registrations for each location.
No Expiration Date
Commercial registrations no longer expire but require annual electronic confirmation of data.
Extended Cancellation Period
CRs are now cancelled one year after suspension (previously 30 days), giving businesses more flexibility.
Enhanced Trade Name Options
Companies can now use Arabic, non-Arabic, and Arabized words in their trade names.
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 | | | | |
| 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 | | | | |