Our Mission & VISION

Our mission is to facilitate seamless business establishment with precision and care. Through meticulous planning,expert execution, and unwavering dedication to excellence, we aim to exceed client expectations in every aspect of business setup.

Empowering entrepreneurs and businesses by providing comprehensive, reliable, and innovative solutions for seamless business setup

Why Saudi Arabia?

Apart from the obvious advantages of the Kingdom’s geographical location and its easy access to Africa, Asia, and Europe, there is a lot of effort being made by the Saudi government to drive business to the Kingdom. The Saudi Arabian government launched the Vision 2030 initiative in 2016 to improve the Kingdom’s investment climate, attract increased foreign investment ,and encourage greater domestic and international private sector participation in its economy. The Kingdom is outlining some key business incentives and opportunities to attract investors.The Vision 2030 initiative is seeking to increase private sector's contribution from 40% to 65% of GDP.

Saudi Arabia ranks 13th for future workforce with young Saudis making up 44% of population and 78% of workforce.

Our process

Company Formation Process in Saudi Arabia

Set up a 100% foreign owned company in Saudi Arabia. We provide expert company formation solutions that will safeguard and maintain control of your company and group’s presence in Saudi Arabia. Save time and money by setting up your business in Saudi Arabia.

01
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Prepare Company Incorporation Document

02
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REGISTER WITH MINISTRY OF INVESTMENT OF SAUDI ARABIA (MISA)

03
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Finalize Company Documentation - Articles of Association

04
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Receive Commercial Registration (CR) License for the company.

05

Select Business Premises & Register National Address

06
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Complete Post Incorporation Registration

07
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General Manager(GM) Visits KSA to complete Residency (Iqama) Visa.

08
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Register GM on the company books & with Government Authorities.

09
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Meet with bank to sign & apply for KSA Corporate Bank Account.

Different Types of Systems in Saudi Arabia

Portal Systems in Saudi Arabia

There are a large number of portal systems in Saudi Arabia.It is required for all companies to be registered and familiar with these portals for different processes and submissions. GOFICO can assist clients with portal maintenance to be able to remain compliant.

QIWA

Merged with Ministry of Human Resoursesand Social Development to manage issuing work permits, issuing visas, employeescontracts, manage workforces, Nitaqat (Quota), Iqama transfer etc. (Similar toMoHRE in the UAE)

General Organization Social Insurance (GOSI)

GOSI portal is used to manage SocialInsurance (Pension/End of service/ Medical claims and expenses/Unemployment)

Absher & NAFATH

An electronic authenticator for Government systems (Similar to UAE Pass)

Mudad

Mudad portal is used for Wage Protection System (WPS) and salary releasing

Zakat

Islamic law 2.5% net profitfor Saudi & GCC shareholders

GeneralAuthority Zakat & Tax (GAZT)

Tax and Zakat Filing

Saudi Arabia Business Setup

Our Services in Company Formation:-
•     100% Foreign Ownership
•     Limited Liability Company(LLC), One PersonLLC
•     Closed Joint Stock Company (CJSC) andSimplified CJSC
•     Branch Office, Regional Headquarters (RHQ),Visa and Licenses:
•     General Manager Iqama Application
•     Visa processing ,renewals and cancellations  
•     MISA License applications & renewals
•     Regulatory licenses (subject to assessment)
•     Commercial registration renewals

All Corporate Services:
•   Accountancy & Bookkeeping
•   VAT registration and Tax advisory   HR Consultancy Services
•   Nitaqat Quotas
•   Payroll and WPS assistance
•   Company Secretarial Services
•   Compliance Services - AML, KYC and DD   Bank Account Opening Assistance
•   Interim General Manager Services
•   Document Attestation and Legal Drafting &Translation   Regulatory Approvals
•   Saudization requirements
•   KSA Government Portal Maintenance - GOSI,QIWA etc.  Company Secretarial Services

Company Formation Services

Registration through the Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia (MISA) is the first step insetting up a foreign-owned business in Saudi Arabia. MISA is the gateway to permission to operate in the Kingdom with the primary goal to facilitate and encouraging foreign investment. Local and fully owned GCC national companies are set up directly through theMinistry of Commerce. The principal business entities in the Kingdom include Limited Liability Company (LLC), Branch of a foreign entity and a Regional Head Quarters (RHQ). However, the most common is the Limited Liability Company (LLC) for which100% Foreign Ownership is permissible throughMISA and is applicable from day one. This makes it appealing to foreign investors and applies to many business activities. However, there are some activities which require a Saudi National Shareholder to be active in the business and become a true 25% Shareholder, e.g.Engineering & Consultancy.
It is essential to obtain independent tax and legal advice, specific to your companies operations in Saudi Arabia before setting up in the Kingdom.

Before Setting Up in Saudi Arabia

MISA typically will only consider a foreign business if it has:   Profitable accounts- The company has an established track-record (minimum one year) and can demonstrate profitable, audited accounts in the last financial year.  

Parent Company Trade License - MISA requires submission of the parent company trade license which should be legalised and attested in the home country, as well as submitting other documents such as Articles of Association (AoA). Appoint a General Manager- The business must also be willing and able to appoint an individual as General Manager who will obtain residency in Saudi to open/operate a Bank account, amongst other mandatory formalities.

1st Hire - The first hire after the GM must be a SaudiNational. Saudization is measured on a scale through the Nitaqat(Quota) rating system and business should be willing to embrace “Saudization”initiatives as bad Saudization scores have operational implications.

Ownership of companies

LLC & Foreign Ownership

A LLC is one of the most common forms of legal entity opted for by foreign investors when making market entry to the Kingdom and is well regarded and widely used. The Ministry ofInvestment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) offers foreign ownership of a company in theKSA without a local partner and minimal government restriction. MISA registration/license is required for a business to establish with 100% foreign ownership in Saudi Arabia.

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Business Setup Made Easier

Share Capital Requirement

MISA generally requires foreign LLCs to have a minimum of SAR 500,000 share capital. Once the corporate bank account is open, the share capital will need to be deposited, it appears on the balance sheet of the business and can be used as working capital. For certain type sof activity, MISA prescribes differing minimum capital:  Property investment projects – SAR30 million  Contracting – SAR500,000 (other revenue/asset value requirements)  Trading - SAR30 million LLCs must set aside minimum 10% net profits until the statutory reserve reaches 30% of the LLCs original capital. GOFICO can advise you further on permissible LLC activities as some activities still remain withSaudi Nationals only or require a Saudi partner/shareholder.

FreeZones or Economic Zones are still in the very early stages of development inKSA, but will be sector targeted when launched.

Key steps in the company formation process: 
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Mergers & Acquisations

Regional Head RHQ

An RHQ is an entity of a multinational corporation used as the regional headquarters to support, manage, and provide strategic direction to its branches, subsidiaries, and affiliates in MENA region.
Previously, an RHQ was a non-operational company separate to the operating entity in Saudi. Now, the company must establish the LLC and then apply for the RHQ, making it an operational RHQ.

RHQ function as a distinct division/branch

Companies must operate in at least two other countries in MENA

Operations within six months of obtaining the RHQ license

Licenses

License Types in Saudi Arabia

There are a number of license types in Saudi Arabia

Service License
Trading License
Professional License
Real Estate License
Industry / Manufacturing License

Timelines

1.  Attestation of documents - 2-6 weeks for local attestations
2. Legal Translation if needed - 5-7 working days
3. Incorporation with MISA - 25-30 working days
4. Trade name reservation - 3-5 days
5.  Articles of Association (AoA) & Commercial Registration (CR) - 5-7 days
6.  Portals registrations for ZATCA - VAT - SPL (National address) - 5-7 days
7.  Visa issuance - 7-10 working days
8.  Iqama Issuance - 5-7 working days
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PRO/ GRO Services

PRO/GRO Services

We provide expedient, reliable and cost-effective services for large corporations and SMEs, making us the choice PRO company in Saudi Arabia. Our PRO consultants have years of local industry experience and have built enduring relationships with key government bodies, allowing us to offer our clients a seamless and efficient process for all their company and visa requirements.

WHAT TYPE OF PRO SERVICES DO WE PROVIDE

PRO services are essential for conducting business operations in KSA, serving as a crucial liaison between your company and government entities. We specialize in managing your business’s continuous regulatory and compliance needs, ensuring efficient business operations

DOCUMENT CLEARING & PROCESSING
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COMPANY FORMATION ASSISTANCE
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IMMIGRATION SERVICES
LICENSE RENEWALS & AMENDMENTS
ATTESTATION &DOCUMENTATION
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TRADEMARK REGISTRATION
GOVERNMENT APPROVALS

Considerations in KSA Business Opening

An LLC company trade name can be the same as the parent company with a slight variation as it must include an Arabic word. A branch can have the exact same name as the parent company
Saudization typically follows a 1 in 3 rule in Saudi Arabia. The Saudization requirements will be based on your businessactivity. Poor Saudization scores can have implications for the company when reporting and will have implication on being awarded work, Government contracts, visa issuanceand renewals, license renewals/ accessto government portals.
Employers are required to provide mandatory health insurance fortheir employees.
Cost Considerations may include: requirements for external approvals, annual licensesrenewal fees, office rent, VAT Return requirements every 3 months,20% Corporation Tax rate, GOSI (21.5% (9.75% employee contribution, 11.75% employer contribution) for Saudis – 2% fornon-Saudis) employees benefit as per employment contract and labour law.
There are office space requirements which will depend on the business activities. For example, Consultancy services will require approximately 100 sqm and above office space.

Visa Services

General Manager Iqama Application
Visa processing, renewals and cancellations  
MISA License applications & renewals
Regulatory licenses (subject to assessment)
Commercial registration renewals

our additional Services

Corporate Services

GOFICO offers wide range of corporate services and secretarial services to help keep our clients on top of corporate governance and overall company operations

Interim General Manager

GOFICO offer clients an Interim General Manager service, whereby GOFICO act as the General Manager for a short term period of 3-6 months, to bridge the gap and allow the company incorporation process to proceed without delay and to allow the entity to become operational while ensuring important documents and actions are executed properly, in order to proceed with the company set up process.The Interim GM service is a fixed 3-6month period in which allows the company to progress with incorporation.