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  • Form of entity

    Limited liability company

    A limited liability company is a popular corporate vehicle among foreign investors in Saudi Arabia. The personal liability for each of the partners/shareholders is limited to the individual partner's contribution to the company's share capital.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Entity set up

    Limited liability company (LLC)

    • LLC is one of the most common forms of legal entity chosen by foreign investors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

    • Establishing an LLC is a multistep process. Incorporating an LLC may take up to several months from the date of submission of application to the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia  (MISA)

    • The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) subsequently issues a commercial registration certificate before the LLC is considered fully registered in KSA

    • After the incorporation, various governmental files and documents must be applied for in order for the LLC to be fully operational. This post-incorporation phase can take a couple up to several months

    Branch of a foreign company

    • Foreign investors may also choose to establish a branch instead of an LLC to do business in the KSA
    • A branch operates on behalf of the parent company (foreign registered company) and has no separate legal existence in KSA

    • Registration of a branch in relation to issuance of the foreign investment license by MISA and the commercial registration certificate by MOC follows the same general procedure as that of an LLC

    • Incorporation of a branch may take up to several months from the date of submission of application to MISA (subject to any delays caused by government authorities)

    • The parent company of the branch has liability for the branch's activities that it undertakes in KSA
    • The paid-up capital for a branch does not confer limitation of liability as compared to an LLC. The capital in a branch simply serves as a security for the Saudi market and
    • With regard to tax and a number of other matters, a permanent branch is treated in the same manner as a 100 percent foreign-owned LLC

    • After the registration, various governmental files and documents must be applied for in order for the branch to be fully operational. This post-registration phase can take up to a couple to several months

    For future consideration, please note that an LLC can add shareholders if the company intends to expand in KSA. On the other hand, a branch cannot add shareholders as it is an extension of its foreign parent company.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Minimum capital requirement

    Limited liability company

    Although there is no statutory minimum capital requirement, in practice, MISA often requires foreign LLCs to have a capital of at least SAR500,000. In certain types of activities, specific minimum capital is prescribed by MISA:

    • Service/property investment project: SAR30 million

    • Service/property financing projects SAR200 million with 40 percent Saudi shareholding

    • Service/transport: SAR500,000

    • Contracting: SAR500,000 (but have revenue/asset value requirements)

    • Commercial (with minimum 25 percent Saudi partner): a minimum contribution from the foreign shareholder of SAR20 million and a pro rata contribution from the Saudi shareholder

    • Commercial (100 percent foreign): SAR30 million and commitment to invest at least SAR200 million – SAR300 million (subject to certain criteria) over the first 5 years.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Legal liability

    Limited liability company

    Shareholders of an LLC are generally not liable for the debts of a corporation aside from their financial contribution to the corporation. Certain circumstances may pierce this limitation of liability.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Tax presence

    Limited liability company

    A 15- percent value-added tax (VAT) is currently applied on most goods and services. Depending on the circumstances, corporate income tax, zakat, capital gains tax and withholding tax may also be applicable.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Incorporation process

    Limited liability company

    Foreign investors are required to obtain a foreign investment license from MISA and then complete the incorporation process at MOC and other government departments. Incorporation process also includes notarization of the company's articles of association at the local notary public in Saudi Arabia. Specific licenses are required for certain activities.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Business recognition

    Limited liability company

    Well regarded and widely used.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Shareholder meeting requirements

    Limited liability company

    Required to hold at least one annual meeting for LLCs within 4 months after the closing date of the financial year of the LLC.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Board of director meeting requirements

    Limited liability company

    There is no requirement for a board of directors or with regard to the nationality of directors. The company may be managed by a General Manager or by a Board of Directors. If a board of directors is formed, there is no requirement for frequency of meetings.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Annual company tax returns

    Limited liability company

    Required to annually file tax returns at the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Business registration filing requirements

    Limited liability company

    LLCs have to renew their foreign investment license issued by MISA and their commercial registration certificate issued by MOC upon expiry, and renew subscription to chamber of commerce annually.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Business expansion

    Limited liability company

    An LLC cannot have more than 50 shareholders, in which case it will have to be converted into a joint-stock company.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Exit strategy

    Limited liability company

    Appointment of a liquidator either from shareholders or third parties to carryout dissolution.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Annual corporate maintenance requirements

    Limited liability company

    A shareholder meeting shall be convened at least once a year. Managers of the company shall prepare company's financial statements, a report on its operations and financial position, and their proposal for appropriation of net profits within 3 months from the end of the financial year (Report). The managers shall also be prepared to submit a copy of their report to MOCI within 1 month of the date of preparation of the Report.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Director / officer requirements

    Limited liability company

    Shareholders may appoint a manager, executive managers and/or a board of directors.

    For more information on directors’ duties, see our Global Guide to Directors’ Duties.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Local corporate secretary requirement

    Limited liability company

    No local corporate secretary requirement.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Local legal or admin representative requirement

    Limited liability company

    None beyond the required managers or directors.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Local office lease requirement

    Limited liability company

    A local office lease and local address is required.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Other physical presence requirements

    Limited liability company

    Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Sufficiency of virtual office

    Limited liability company

    A virtual office is not sufficient.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Provision of local registered address by law firm or third-party service provider

    Limited liability company

    Registered address must be an address where the office is leased by the company.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Provision of local director or corporate secretary by law firm or third-party service provider

    Limited liability company

    Use of local law firm for incorporation is common. Companies usually conduct their own secretarial functions once established.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Nationality or residency requirements for shareholders, directors and officers

    Limited liability company

    The general manager needs to be a resident in the KSA. Directors are not required to be nationals or residents. There are specific requirements regarding the nationality of shareholders in certain activities such as:

    • Trading activities: Saudi partner to own at least 25 percent of shareholding (unless the foreign investor meets the qualification to set up a 100 percent foreign owned trading company)

    • Services/transport Saudi shareholding requirements – bus 30 percent / metro 25 percent

    • Property financing projects 40 percent

    • Communications value added – 30 percent Saudi shareholding requirement

    • Insurance and reinsurance – 40 percent Saudi shareholding requirement

    • Engineering design and professional consultancy: Saudi partner to own at least 25 percent of shareholding

    There are certain types of activities that are reserved for Saudi nationals only. The list is issued by MISA and amended from time to time.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Restrictions regarding appointment of nominee shareholders or directors

    Limited liability company

    Restrictions apply as described in Nationality or residency requirements.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Summary of director's, officer's and shareholder's authority and limitations thereof

    Limited liability company

    Directors are appointed by shareholders, either in the company's Articles of Association or a separate contract. Directors have the required authority to run day-to-day operations to the extent granted to them by the shareholders in a shareholders resolution or the Articles of Association.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Public disclosure of identity of directors, officers and shareholders

    Limited liability company

    There is no requirement to publicly disclose the identity of directors and shareholders (although such information may be available through searches at MOC)

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Minimum and maximum number of directors and shareholders

    Limited liability company

    At least one shareholder is required for an LLC, up to a maximum of 50 shareholders. Directors: There is no minimum or maximum requirement.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Minimum number of shareholders required

    Limited liability company

    At least one shareholder is required for an LLC.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Removal of directors or officers

    Limited liability company

    Company may remove directors appointed in the Articles of Association or a separate contract without prejudice to the officers' right to compensation if required.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Required and optional officers

    Limited liability company

    An LLC must have a resident general manager.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Board meeting requirements

    Limited liability company

    If a board of directors was formed, requirements will be as provided in the Articles of Association of the company.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Quorum requirements for shareholder and board meetings

    Limited liability company

    Quorum requirements will be as provided in the Articles of Association of the company.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Must a bank account be opened prior to incorporation, and must the bank account be local?

    Limited liability company

    Opening a local bank account to deposit the capital is a requirement, although can occur after issuance of the commercial registration certificate.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Auditing of local financials. If so, must the auditor be located in local jurisdiction, and must the company's books be kept locally?

    Limited liability company

    Company's accounts must be audited annually by an auditor licensed to operate in KSA and filed with MOC.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Requirement regarding par value of stock

    Limited liability company

    Shares have to be equal in value.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Increasing of capitalization if needed

    Limited liability company

    Effectuated by amending the Articles of Association and the MISA license. A unanimous consent of shareholders is required.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Summary of how funds can be repatriated from your jurisdiction (ie dividends or redemption)

    Limited liability company

    Funds to be taken as dividends, subject to statutory requirements to maintain a reserve, and local tax.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Restrictions on transferability of shares

    Limited liability company

    There is a statutory right of first refusal on the transfer of shares to parties other than the shareholders.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Obtaining a name and naming requirements

    Limited liability company

    The proposed name must be approved by MOC.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Summary of "know your client" requirements

    Limited liability company

    Not required by law.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Approval requirements for amending charter document

    Limited liability company

    Amendments have to be approved by a majority of shareholders representing at least 3/4 of the capital. However, amending the company's nationality and increasing shareholders financial obligations need a unanimous vote from all shareholders.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Licenses required to conduct business in jurisdiction

    Limited liability company

    Foreign companies or companies with foreign shareholders must obtain a license from MISA. Certain types of activities require specific licensing from the relevant government departments. For example, pharmaceutical companies require a license from the Saudi Food and Drug Association.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Process of purchasing and utilizing a shelf company

    Limited liability company

    Shelf companies are not common in Saudi Arabia due to the difficulty and time consuming purchasing process.

    Last modified 25 May 2023

  • Key contacts
    Tim Sunar
    Tim Sunar
    Partner DLA Piper [email protected] T +966 13 813 9966 View bio
    Dr. Ehab Elsonbaty
    Dr. Ehab Elsonbaty
    Chair, US/Middle East Initiative DLA Piper [email protected] T +1 212 335 4835 View bio
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Nationality or residency requirements for shareholders, directors and officers

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Saudi Arabia

Limited liability company

The general manager needs to be a resident in the KSA. Directors are not required to be nationals or residents. There are specific requirements regarding the nationality of shareholders in certain activities such as:

  • Trading activities: Saudi partner to own at least 25 percent of shareholding (unless the foreign investor meets the qualification to set up a 100 percent foreign owned trading company)

  • Services/transport Saudi shareholding requirements – bus 30 percent / metro 25 percent

  • Property financing projects 40 percent

  • Communications value added – 30 percent Saudi shareholding requirement

  • Insurance and reinsurance – 40 percent Saudi shareholding requirement

  • Engineering design and professional consultancy: Saudi partner to own at least 25 percent of shareholding

There are certain types of activities that are reserved for Saudi nationals only. The list is issued by MISA and amended from time to time.

Last modified 25 May 2023

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