Documents required for company registration in Saudi Arabia: the full checklist
Most delays come from a document that is missing, too old or not properly legalised. This is the list of what to gather, group by group, from the parent company through to the registrations that follow the commercial registration, with the current apostille and translation rules.
- Apostille accepted since
- 7 December 20223
- Accounts required by MISA
- last financial year1
- MISA certificate validity at MC filing
- 30 days minimum2
In brief
- To form a company in Saudi Arabia, a corporate shareholder gives the Ministry of Investment (MISA) its commercial register extract and its financial statements for the last financial year, both authenticated.
- Saudi Arabia has applied the Hague Apostille Convention since 7 December 2022: a public document issued in another contracting state and bearing an apostille no longer needs consular legalisation.
- According to MISA, documents submitted to the ministry do not need to be translated; an Arabic translation by a certified office is still often required later (bank, notary, some authorities).
- The Ministry of Commerce requires an investment registration certificate valid for at least 30 days and shareholders aged at least 18 to form the company.
- After the commercial registration come the Chamber of Commerce, ZATCA, GOSI, Qiwa, Muqeem, the bank account and, every year, confirmation of the CR details.
The document checklist, group by group
The exact list depends on the activity and entity: the MISA portal shows the required documents when you apply. This list covers the most common case, an LLC owned by a foreign company.
1. Parent company documents (corporate shareholder)
- Recent commercial register extract or certificate of incorporation, authenticated
- Financial statements for the last completed financial year, authenticated
- Current articles of association of the parent company
- Board, shareholder or manager resolution approving the Saudi subsidiary, its capital, the appointment of the general manager and the signatory
- Power of attorney for the person who files and signs applications in Saudi Arabia
- Details of the ultimate beneficial owners, requested by the bank when opening the account
2. Individual shareholders and general manager
- Valid passport for each individual shareholder and the general manager, with comfortable remaining validity
- Full contact details (address, email, phone) for each shareholder and the manager
- Confirmation that each shareholder is at least 18 and is not a Saudi government employee (Ministry of Commerce conditions)
- For a professional company (engineering, accounting and similar): valid professional licence of the relevant shareholders
- ID photo and visa documents for the general manager, for the residency steps that follow
3. Legalisation and translation
- Apostille on each foreign public document, if the issuing country is party to the Hague Convention
- Without an apostille: the legalisation chain (authority of the issuing country, then the Saudi embassy or consulate)
- Check that company and personal names are spelled identically on every document
- Arabic translation by a certified translation office for documents that require it (bank, notary, some authorities)
- Clear colour scans of each document and its apostille
4. Saudi side, for the commercial registration
- Investment registration certificate issued by MISA, valid for at least 30 days on the filing date
- Chosen trade name (plus one or two alternatives), in Arabic and English
- Selected activities with their national classification codes
- Head office city and address
- Articles data: capital, share split, management, powers, financial year
- Sector licence or prior approval where the activity requires it (for example, a Saudi Central Bank licence for a financial activity)
5. After the commercial registration (CR) is issued
- Chamber of Commerce membership in the head office city
- National address and a lease registered on the Ejar platform
- Municipal licence (Balady) if the activity or premises require it
- ZATCA registration (zakat and tax) and VAT registration if taxable supplies exceed SAR 375,000 a year (voluntary from SAR 187,500)
- GOSI (social insurance) registration and Qiwa (labour) and Muqeem (foreign residents) accounts
- Bank account pack: CR, articles, MISA certificate, beneficial owner documents
- Visa and then residence permit (iqama) for the general manager
- Annual confirmation of the CR details on each anniversary
What changed: the apostille replaces consular legalisation
How do you get your documents apostilled?
The apostille is issued by a designated authority in the country that issued the document, never by Saudi Arabia. Each state lists its competent authority on the Hague Conference (HCCH) website. In the UK it is the Legalisation Office of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; in France, since 1 May 2025, it is the notarial profession.
A private document (power of attorney, shareholder resolution) usually has to be signed before a notary or have its signature certified first, so that it becomes an apostillable public document. Order recent extracts too: banks and authorities usually expect a register extract less than three months old.
If the issuing country is not party to the Convention, classic consular legalisation applies: authentication by the local authority, then by the Saudi embassy or consulate.
Do you need a certified Arabic translation?
Not always, and not at the same stage. According to MISA's official FAQ, documents submitted to the Ministry of Investment do not need to be translated, and the registration certificate is issued in Arabic only.
The rest of the process runs in Arabic: the articles generated on the Saudi Business Center platform, the bank's paperwork and some notarial acts. When a translation is required, it must come from a certified translation office; an uncertified translation is not accepted.
To avoid paying twice, your personalised list states which documents need translating, by whom and at which stage.
The mistakes that most often delay a file
Next steps for your file
Frequently asked questions
What documents are required to register a company in Saudi Arabia?
For a corporate shareholder: commercial register extract, last year's financial statements, articles, a resolution approving the subsidiary and a power of attorney, all authenticated. For each individual shareholder and the manager: a valid passport and contact details. The MISA portal shows the exact list for the chosen activity.
Does Saudi Arabia accept apostilles?
Yes. The Hague Apostille Convention has been in force for Saudi Arabia since 7 December 2022. A foreign public document apostilled in a contracting state no longer needs legalisation by the Saudi embassy.
Do documents have to be translated into Arabic?
Not for filing with MISA, according to the ministry's official FAQ. An Arabic translation by a certified office is, however, often requested later by the bank, the notary or other authorities.
Do I need audited accounts?
MISA asks for the foreign company's authenticated financial statements for the last financial year. Depending on the activity and the bank, audited accounts may be required; we check this for your case.
Can an individual without a foreign company set up in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, an individual investor can be a shareholder. They provide identity documents and, depending on the activity, further evidence. Conditions vary by sector: see our guide to the requirements for foreigners.
How long does it take to gather the documents?
Usually one to three weeks in the home country, depending on apostille and notary lead times. Start this step first, as it depends only on you.
Which documents come after the commercial registration?
Chamber of Commerce membership, national address and Ejar lease, ZATCA, GOSI, Qiwa and Muqeem registrations, the bank pack, and the manager's visa and iqama. Since April 2025, CR details must also be confirmed every year.
Notes and sources
- 1.MISA: FAQ (required documents, translation)
- 2.Ministry of Commerce: company formation under an investment certificate (conditions)
- 3.HCCH: Apostille Convention status table (Saudi Arabia, in force 7 December 2022)
- 4.SAMA Rulebook: approval of apostille authentication for foreign public documents
- 5.ZATCA: VAT registration thresholds
- 6.MISA: Investor Guide, 13th edition (02-2026)
Information verified in September 2026. Amounts and timelines are observed ranges provided for information only. Government fees are set by Saudi authorities and may change: we confirm them in writing before you commit to anything.
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