Licensing Types
The MISA Investor License is a company license category, designed to attract established international companies to expand into Saudi Arabia.
Trading
Includes trading plus all other commercial sectors (Services, Industrial, Agriculture, Real Estate Development) in one registration certificate.
Key Benefits
- Flexibility to invest across multiple sectors
- Access to local and international markets
- Possible fee exemptions in industrial sector
- Legal recognition and credibility
- Rights to import/export goods
- 100% Foreign Ownership allowed
- Ability to open multiple branches
Service
Covers all investment activities except trading, including services, industrial, agriculture, and real estate development.
Key Benefits
- No minimum capital required (for most service activities)
- Quick licensing and official recognition
- 100% Foreign Ownership allowed
- Cost savings on work and residence levies in the industrial sectors
Commercial Sectors
Non-Commercial Sectors
Trading Sector
For import, export, wholesale, and retail trading activities.
Key Benefits
- Access to local and international markets
- Rights to import/export goods
- Ability to open multiple branches
Service Sector
For consultancy, IT, marketing, construction, and other service-based activities.
Key Benefits
- 100% Foreign Ownership allowed
- No minimum capital required (for most service activities)
- Eligible to apply for executive visa
- Invest across multiple sectors
- Ability to open multiple branches
Industrial Sector
For manufacturing, heavy industry, and production facilities.
Key Benefits
- Customs exemptions on machinery and equipment
- Allocation of industrial land and factories through MODON
- Utility cost support/subsidies
- Exemption from work and residence levy
- Eligible to apply for executive visa
Note: Name reservations handled by Ministry of Commerce (MoC) typically take 2-7 working days. Company names should be in Arabic or Arabized words, but foreign companies have exceptions to use their parent company names.
Required Documents
In order to initiate the setup process and to be eligible for a MISA Investor License, the below documents are required. All documents must be signed by an authorized signatory who has Power of Attorney (PoA) from the parent company.