Company Registration (CR) in Saudi Arabia: Process + Timeline
Quick Definition
The Commercial Registration (CR) (or Sijil Tijari) is the official “Identity Card” of your business. Issued by the Ministry of Commerce (MC), it allows you to sign contracts, hire employees, and open a bank account. It is valid for 1 to 5 years.
In our previous guide, we covered Step 1: The MISA License. Once MISA approves your investment, you legally “exist” as a foreign investor, but you do not yet “exist” as a company.
To become a legal entity (LLC or Branch), you must obtain your CR. Without it, you cannot rent an office or issue a visa.
Anatomy of a Saudi CR
The 3 Prerequisites
Before you log into the Ministry of Commerce portal, you must have:
2. AoA
Articles of Association notarized by Ministry of Justice or MISA notary.
3. Name Reservation
You must have confirmed your trade name in Arabic/English.
The Step-by-Step Process (2026)
Name Reservation
You submit 3 options for your company name. English names are allowed but must be transliterated. Example: “Tech Solutions” becomes “تيك سوليوشنز”.
Drafting the AoA
The Articles of Association (AoA) outline shareholders and powers. This is uploaded to the Saudi Business Center (SBC).
Issuance & Payment
Once signed (via OTP), a SADAD bill is generated. Upon payment, the CR is issued instantly as a PDF.
Cost Breakdown: CR vs. MISA
| Document | Official Fee | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| MISA License | 2,000 SAR (Yr 1) | 1-5 Years |
| Commercial Registration (Main) | 1,200 SAR | 1-5 Years |
| Chamber of Commerce | ~2,200 SAR | Annual |
| General Manager Visa | ~2,000 SAR | One-Time |
What Happens After CR Issuance?
Many investors think they are done here. You are not. A CR alone does not allow you to work. You must immediately register with:
- ZATCA: For tax. (Read Tax Guide)
- Qiwa: For labor files. ( Qiwa Portal)
- National Address: To verify location.
Stuck on the AoA Drafting?
Drafting a compliant AoA is the #1 reason for rejection. Our legal team ensures your Articles protect your ownership rights.