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IT Business Setup in Saudi Arabia

Start your IT business in Saudi Arabia with 100% foreign ownership. Discover the registration requirements and key steps to navigate the bidding process in the Kingdom’s rapidly growing IT market.

Starting an IT Business in Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom is accelerating toward a smart digital economy, and global IT companies are at the center of this transformation. Enterprises delivering specialized IT solutions can tap into abundant opportunities within the Kingdom's expanding technology sector, paving the way for many to set up a business in Saudi Arabia.



Why is Saudi Arabia Considered a Global IT Hub?

$135 Billion

AI’s projected contribution to Saudi GDP by 2030

$76.1 Billion

Forecasted IT market value by 2029

#2 Ranking

Saudi Arabia’s position in the GUN ICT Development Index

$131.9 Billion (SR 495 Billion)

Total value of the digital economy in 2024

$750 Million (SAR 2.8 Billion)

VC funding raised by Saudi startups in 2024

The 20-Step Roadmap to IT Business Setup in Saudi Arabia

Establishing Legal Foundations ( Projected timeline: 1 month)

  1. Firstly, obtain a service license from MISA
  2. Reserve a Company Name
  3. Draft Local Articles of Association (AoA)
  4. Obtain a Commercial Registration (CR) Certificate
  5. Register with the Chamber of Commerce (CoC)

Authorization and Hiring (Projected timeline: 2 months)

  1. Obtain a Company Seal
  2. Register with the Ministry of Labor (MoL)
  3. Sign up with the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI)
  4. Secure a National Address Registration
  5. Issue a General Manager Visa
  6. Register for Tax Compliance

Residency and Banking (Projected timeline: 3 months)

  1. Activate Chamber of Commerce (CoC) Membership
  2. Arrange Health Insurance for Employees
  3. Complete a Medical Check-up for the General Manager
  4. Obtain a Residence Permit (Iqama)
  5. Register on the Muqeem Portal
  6. Sign up for the Absher Portal
  7. Register on the Qiwa Portal
  8. Utilize the Mudad Platform
  9. Lastly, Open a Corporate Bank Account
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How to Bid for Government IT Projects

The Etimad Portal is Saudi Arabia’s official government procurement platform, where IT companies can bid for public tenders and contracts. To participate, businesses must:

Secure a MISA Investment License and Commercial Registration

Maintain a local bank account, GOSI, and Zakat certificates

Submit technical and financial proposals in Arabic

Obtain a Bid Bond (1–2% of project value) and comply with Saudization quotas

AstroLabs Advantage

AstroLabs Advantage
OfferingAstroLabsCorporate Services Companies offering PRO & GROLaw FirmsIn-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

Frequently Asked Questions