Tourism Business License in Saudi Arabia
Discover the essentials of a travel and tourism license in Saudi Arabia with AstroLabs. Learn the step-by-step process, requirements, and how to launch your tourism business in the Kingdom.
License Essentials: Obtaining a Travel and Tourism License In KSA
Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector has become a hotspot for international recognition and investment, recognized as the fastest-growing among G20 countries and forecasted to welcome over 150 million visitors annually by 2030. If you're looking to tap into this vibrant market, understanding how to get a tourism license in Saudi Arabia is essential. Securing a Tourism License from the Ministry of Tourism is a mandatory step for foreign companies aiming to set up a business within the Kingdom’s tourism and hospitality ecosystem.
Define Your Tourism Offering and Market Focus
Before starting the licensing process, it’s crucial to define a clear business model aligned with Saudi Arabia’s tourism strategy and regulatory framework. Identifying the specific segment you’ll serve whether in religious, adventure, cultural, or luxury tourism, ensures you’re meeting market demand while remaining compliant with Ministry of Tourism requirements. Here are some examples.
Religious Tourism
Supporting pilgrim services to Makkah and Madinah.
Adventure and Experience-Based Travel
Delivering curated outdoor activities such as desert safaris, hiking, and diving in the Red Sea.
Cultural and Heritage Tourism
Showcasing historical sites and traditional Saudi experiences.
Luxury and Eco-Tourism
Catering to premium travelers with bespoke, sustainable experiences.
Tourism Licensing Process in KSA: The 3-Stage Market Entry Roadmap
Step 1: Legal Entity Establishment (Projected timeline: 1 month)
The setup journey begins with establishing your legal foundation, securing the MISA license, reserving your name, drafting the Articles of Association (AoA), obtaining the Certificate of Registration (CR) and Certificate of Compliance (CoC), all of which are legalized and translated into Arabic.
Step 2: Authorization and Hiring (Projected Timeline: 2 months)
Next, authorize operations by obtaining a company seal, registering with the Ministry of Labor, GOSI, and National Address, issuing a GM visa, and completing GAZT and VAT registration.
Step 3: Residency and Banking (Projected timeline: 3 months)
Finally, complete residency procedures and activate your corporate presence by issuing the GM’s Iqama, registering with key government platforms (Muqeem, Absher, Qiwa, Mudad), and opening a corporate bank account.
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 | | | | |