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From France to Saudi Arabia

How to Set Up a Business in Saudi Arabia from France

A Blueprint for French Companies

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Launch and grow your French business in Saudi Arabia with confidence and comfort. AstroLabs provides hands-on support throughout every stage of the company formation process and beyond. From securing licenses and registering your entity to ensure your potential profitability, making your entry into the Saudi market smooth, strategic, and aligned with local regulations.

Company Formation from France to Saudi Arabia in Sector-Specific Markets

Saudi Arabia is fostering international investment, and French companies are increasingly making their mark across high-growth sectors. Bilateral trade between the two nations exceeded $10 billion in 2023, with 30+ French companies establishing regional headquarters in the Kingdom. As part of this momentum, global French brands have created over 13,500 jobs in Saudi Arabia, contributing to the Kingdom’s economic growth. With Vision 2030 driving diversification, now is the time for French businesses to establish a strong and strategic presence in Saudi Arabia.

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1. Industrial Manufacturing & Mobility

French companies are actively expanding across transport, mobility, and aerospace. Airbus, Alstom, and Valeo are leading examples of French brands with deep operations in the Kingdom.

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2. Energy Transition & Sustainability

France is a leader in clean energy, and Saudi Arabia has committed over $180B to renewables by 2030. Companies like EDF and TotalEnergies are capitalizing on joint sustainability ventures.

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3. Tech, AI & Innovation

Saudi Arabia’s booming tech and digital economy aligns with France’s expertise in innovation. French IT companies are leveraging Saudi initiatives like smart cities, AI clusters, and cloud infrastructure.

Company Formation in Saudi Arabia from France: Step-by-Step Guide

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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
These documents must be legalized and translated into Arabic.
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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.
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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
You’ll also need to choose a physical office space to meet the national address requirement.
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Step 4: National Address Management:

Ensuring accurate updates and renewals on the SPL portal.
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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
Mudad: wage protection and payroll compliance
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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.
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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.
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Avoid Common Cases of Non-Compliance in Saudi Arabia with AstroLabs’ GRO Solutions

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Missed Deadlines

Fines and delays from late renewals or submissions
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Operational Interruptions

Incomplete or outdated official documents causing business interruptions
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Amendment Needs

Challenges in updating business activities, management structures, or shareholder details
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Portal Issues

Delayed updates to key government platforms like SPL or CoC

AstroLabs Advantage

AstroLabs Advantage
OfferingAstroLabsCorporate Services Companies offering PRO & GROLaw FirmsIn-House
40+ on-ground local team of experts
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Government portal management and compliance support
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Full management of your company licenses and certificates
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Management of registered employees across the employee journey, from hiring to ongoing management
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Full suite of support: PRO, GRO, HRs support and access to a pool of Saudi talent
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National Address Registration with varied coworking and private office locations
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Seamlessly manage GRO services online using a digital platform
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Corporare bank account opening
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Access to a community of 700+ high-growth businesses in Saudi Arabia
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Extended media and exposure support through press releases, social media coverage and articles
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Opportunity-matchmaking with potential partners in governmental entities and corporates
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Access to global and regional events such as BIBAN, LEAP, Seamless, etc
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Frequently Asked Questions