From The UK to Saudi Arabia
How to Set Up a Business in Saudi Arabia from the UK
Set up your business in Saudi Arabia with a step-by-step guide tailored for UK companies. This page breaks down the process for company formation, registration, and compliance – tailored for UK businesses ready to expand.
Why British Companies Are Expanding to Saudi Arabia
UK-to-Saudi company formation is gaining momentum. As of 2024, over 1,300 British firms are already operating in the Kingdom, and 50 have established their Regional Headquarters (RHQs) to anchor long-term growth. Leading British firms from our expansion network like Footballco, Checkout.com, and ASITE are already operating on the ground, supported by growing trade ties and government incentives. With over 50 UK companies securing Regional Headquarters (RHQs) in the Kingdom and more than 1,100 active construction licenses, Saudi Arabia has become a key destination for UK multinationals seeking long-term growth.
Construction & Infrastructure
British architecture, engineering, and industrial players are landing large-scale contracts in giga projects like NEOM and Red Sea Global. Recent UK-Saudi forums have accelerated collaboration in sustainable building and critical materials.
Technology & Innovation
Saudi’s digital transformation opens the door for UK firms in AI, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and fintech. Programs like the Saudi-UK Tech Hub and R&D agreements on clean energy and food security are already in motion.
Tourism & Hospitality
Saudi Arabia is scaling to 150M annual visitors by 2030. British firms in design, hospitality, and aviation services are building premium experiences across the Kingdom. Airlines, developers, and government entities are actively onboarding UK partners.
Company Formation in Saudi Arabia from the UK: 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
These documents must be legalized and translated into Arabic.
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
You’ll also need to choose a physical office space to meet the national address requirement.
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
Mudad: wage protection and payroll compliance
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 | | | | |