For US companies and founders
Set Up a Company in Saudi Arabia from the USA
Enter the Saudi market with an LLC, a branch of your US company or a regional headquarters in Riyadh. Expandway runs the MISA registration, commercial registration and post-setup steps on the ground, so your team can stay focused on the business.
Choose the right structure for a US business
US investors usually choose between three routes. The right one depends on your activity, your liability planning and whether you plan to bid for Saudi government work.
Saudi LLC
A separate Saudi company with limited liability. Up to 100% foreign ownership is available in many activities. Best for long-term operations and local hiring.
Branch of your US company
An extension of the parent, not a new legal entity, so the parent stays responsible for it. Suits project work in the parent’s existing line of business. Branch vs LLC explained.
Regional headquarters
For groups managing several countries from Riyadh. Since January 2024 an RHQ in the Kingdom matters for Saudi government contracts, with defined exemptions. RHQ setup.
How the setup works, step by step
- Activity and structure review. We confirm your activity is open to foreign investment and choose the right legal form.
- Home-country documents. Certificate of formation or incorporation, operating agreement or bylaws, recent financial statements and a board or member resolution, apostilled by the relevant US Secretary of State and translated into Arabic by a licensed translator.
- MISA investment registration. We file with the Ministry of Investment and track it to approval.
- Commercial registration (CR). Company name, articles of association and CR issued through the Ministry of Commerce.
- Ready to operate. National address, Chamber of Commerce, ZATCA tax and VAT, GOSI, Qiwa, Muqeem and your corporate bank account.
What US investors should know
| Topic | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Document certification | Saudi Arabia joined the Apostille Convention in December 2022, so US state-issued documents can usually be apostilled instead of embassy-legalised. They still need a certified Arabic translation. |
| Tax planning | The US and Saudi Arabia do not have a comprehensive income tax treaty. Plan US reporting, foreign tax credits and withholding with your US CPA before you inject capital. |
| Saudi taxes | Corporate income tax of 20% applies to the foreign-owned share of profits, Zakat applies to the Saudi/GCC-owned share, and VAT is 15%. |
| Time zone | Riyadh is 7–8 hours ahead of US Eastern time, so plan a short morning overlap for approvals. |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to travel to Saudi Arabia to register?
Most steps can be handled under a power of attorney. Travel may be needed later for residency, biometrics or bank onboarding, depending on the bank and your role.
Can a US LLC be the shareholder?
Yes. A US corporation or LLC can be the foreign shareholder or the parent of a branch, provided its documents show its existence, ownership and authority to invest.
How long does it take?
It depends mainly on how quickly your home-country documents are ready. See our registration timeline guide for a stage-by-stage view.
Plan your Saudi entry from the USA
Get an activity check, a document list for your US entity and a written cost estimate before you commit.
Related: business setup in Saudi Arabia · foreign company registration · MISA requirements. This page is general guidance, not tax or legal advice. Government fees are paid to the authorities separately from Expandway’s service fee.