SAGIA's Investor Service Center provides investors with a number of services categorized as pre-licensing services and post-licensing services. It has therefore prepared a guidebook which provides the investor with all the information regarding the documents required and procedures to be followed, be it pre-license or post-license
Pre-Licensing Guidebook:
This section provides details of the procedures and documents required for obtaining an Investment License thereby enabling the potential investor to have complete information before visiting any SAGIA Investor Service Center
1. Documents required to obtain an investment license for Companies and Establishments
Filling out the license application, signed by the applicant or his authorized representative.
Power of attorney for the agent showing his name and identity card (attested by the chamber of commerce).
For foreign companies, resolution by the company board of directors, the executive president or whoever is legally authorized, for investment, provided that the said resolution includes the name of partner or other partners if any and rate of shares (attested by competent authorities in their country and the Saudi embassy).
A copy of commercial registration(CR) for Saudi companies and establishments and CR certificate for foreign companies from their original country endorsed by the concerned authorities in the investor's country and the Saudi embassy).
2. Documents required to obtain an investment license for Individuals
Filling out license application form, signed by the applicant or his authorized representative.
Power of attorney for the agent showing his name and identity card (attested by the chamber of commerce ).
Copies of passports for foreign investors and a copy of civil registration for Saudis (family card).
If the investor is resident in the Kingdom, he shall submit a copy of his residence permit and a release letter from his current sponsor to transfer his sponsor-ship to the project when it is licensed (attested by chamber of commerce).
3. Documents required for license modification of existing projects for (Addition/withdrawal) of partners (individuals and companies)
Resolution of the partners or the chairman of board of directors in case he is authorized, or others representing them, duly stamped by the company's stamp.
A copy of the last budget of the company.
A copy of a valid payment certificate from Department of Zakat and Income.
Power of attorney for the applicant or his representative, attested by the company.
A copy of commercial registration or an affidavit from the Department of Companies at Ministry of Commerce that the company is not registered in the commercial register.
Sale contract: It shall include signatures of vendors and vendees (attested by Chamber of Commerce) attaching a power of attorney in case of signing on behalf of others.
Board of directors' decision for investment and participation or withdrawal and assignment, attested or stamped by company's stamp for Saudi companies and attested by responsible authorities and Saudi embassies for foreign companies.
A copy of (C.R) for Saudi companies and establishments and the registration certificate of the foreign company in its country of origin attested by responsible authorities and Saudi embassies.
A copy of family card for Saudi individuals and a copy of passport or residence permit for new foreign partners along with a release letter if the foreign investor is resident in the Kingdom. The release letter shall be attested by Chamber of Commerce.
Approval from Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF) on the required modification (for industrial projects).
4. Documents required for license modification of existing projects for Ownership alteration in case heirs are substituted for their deceased
Resolution by partners or chairman of board of directors, if he is authorized or any others responsible, about the required modification, stamped by the company stamp only.
A copy of the last budget of the company.
A copy of valid payment certificate from Department of Zakat and Income.
An authorization for the applicant or the representative attested by the company.
A copy of the commercial registration or an affidavit from the Department of Companies at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry that the company is not registered in the commercial register.
A copy of succession limitation deed (with the original for matching).
Successors' identification cards (a copy of family card or passport or residence permit for foreigners).
A letter issued from the court or from an approved attorney office specifying the legal shares for the successors and method of distribution.
Approval from (SIDF) on the required amendment (for industrial projects).
5. Documents required for license modification of existing projects for ownership alteration by transferring the project (from 100% national to 100% joint or foreign project
Resolution by partners or chairman of board of directors, if he is authorized or any others responsible, regarding the required amendment, stamped by the company stamp only.
A copy of the last budget of the company.
A copy of valid payment certificate from the Department of Zakat and Income.
An authorization for the applicant or the representative attested by the company.
A copy of the (CR) or an affidavit from the Department of Companies at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry that the company is not registered in the commercial register.
A letter for the required amendment from concerned parties.
Sale contract: It shall include signatures of vendors and vendees (attested by Chamber of Commerce) attaching an attested authorization or a power of attorney in case of signing on behalf of others.
Approval from (SIDF) on the required amendment (for industrial projects)
6. Documents required for license modification of existing projects for altering the name of one of the companies or establishments participating in the project
Resolution by partners or chairman of board of directors, if he is authorized or any other responsible, regarding the required amendment, stamped by the company stamp only.
A copy of the last budget of the company.
A copy of valid payment certificate from the Department of Zakat and Income.
An authorization for the applicant or the representative attested by the company.
A copy of the (CR) or an affidavit from the Department of Companies at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry that the company is not registered in the commercial registration.
A copy of (CR) for Saudi or foreign companies and establishments required to alter their names (provided that the commercial registration is attested for the foreign companies) or identity card for individuals.
Approval from (SIDF) on the required amendment (for industrial projects).
7. Documents required for license modification of existing projects for expansion of industrial and non-industrial companies
Resolution by partners or chairman of board of directors, if he is authorized or any others representing them, about the required amendment, duly stamped by the company stamp only.
A copy of the last budget of the company.
A copy of valid payment certificate from the Department of Zakat and Income.
An authorization for the applicant or the representative attested by the company.
A copy of the commercial registration or an affidavit from the Department of Companies at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry that the company is not registered in the commercial registration.
Filling out license application form in the final status after expansion.
8. Documents required for license modification of existing projects for alteration of the trade name or the legal entity
Resolution by partners or chairman of board of directors, if he is authorized or their representativ, about the required amendment, stamped by the company stamp only.
A copy of the last budget of the company.
A copy of valid payment certificate from the Department of Zakat and Income.
An authorization for the applicant or the representative attested by the company.
A copy of the commercial registration or an affidavit from the Department of Companies at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry that the company is not registered in the commercial registration.
Approval of Saudi Industrial Development Fund(SIDF) on the required amendment (for industrial projects).
Approval of the Ministry of Commerce on the suggested name.
9. Documents required for license modification of existing projects for relocation of project site
Resolution of partners or chairman of board of directors, if authorized or their representative, regarding the required amendment, stamped only by stamp of the company.
A copy of the last budget of the company.
A copy of valid payment certificate from the Department of Zakat and Income.
An authorization for the applicant or the representative attested by the company.
A copy of the (CR) or an affidavit from the Department of Companies at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry that the company is not registered in the commercial registration.
10. Documents required for license modification of existing projects for reduction in capital
Resolution of partners or chairman of board of directors, if authorized or their representative, regarding the required amendment, duly stamped by the company only.
A copy of the last budget of the company.
A copy of valid payment certificate from the Department of Zakat and Income.
An authorization for the applicant or the representative attested by the company.
A copy of the (CR) or an affidavit from the Department of Companies at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry that the company is not registered in the commercial registration.
Filling out the form if (capital/ total finance) reduction is in the plant activity or in the production capacity.
Approval of (SIDF) on the required amendment (for industrial projects).
11. Documents required for license modification of existing projects for opening offices or a marketing center
Resolution of partners or chairman of board of directors, if authorized or their representative, regarding the required amendment, duly stamped by the company only.
A copy of the last budget of the company.
A copy of valid payment certificate from the Department of Zakat and Income.
An authorization for the applicant or the representative attested by the company.
A copy of the (CR) or an affidavit from the Department of Companies at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry that the company is not registered in the commercial registration
(industrial projects) or marketing center (for industrial projects).
12. Documents required for license modification of existing projects for manpower increase for industrial projects
Resolution of partners or chairman of board of directors, if authorized or their representative, regarding the required amendment, duly stamped by the company only.
Justifications entailing manpower increase and nature of needs.
A copy of valid payment certificate from the Department of Zakat and Income.
An authorization for the applicant or the representative attested by the company.
A copy of CR.
13. Documents required for license modification of existing projects for industrial or non-industrial merger
Decision of Board of Directors of the merging and merged companies approving the merger, duly stamped by the company only.
A copy of merger agreement between merger and merged companies, signed by all parties and showing in it the percentage of each partner's share duly attested by the chamber of commerce and industry along with copies of power of attorneys in case of signing on behalf of others.
A copy of valid payment certificate from the Department of Zakat and Income Tax for each of merging and merged companies.
A copy of (CR) for each of merging and merged companies.
Approval of SIDF on the required merging (for industrial projects).
Filling out license application form related to the final status of the merger.
An authorization for the applicant or the representative, signed from the merging and merged companies.
14. Documents required for license modification of existing projects for dissolution and liquidation of a plant
Resolution of partners or chairman of board of directors, if authorized or their representative, regarding the required amendment, duly stamped by the company only.
A copy of the company's (CR) cancellation certificate from the Ministry of commerce and Industry.
Post-Licensing Guidebook:
This section provides details of the procedures and documents required for availing a number of services after obtaining an Investment License.
1. Documents required for family visit visa for the investor
Filling out a visit application form, duly stamped by the company stamp.
A copy of investment license + commercial registration.
2. Documents required for entry visa of investor's family
Filling out a special application form for families' entry visa.
Compete copy of valid passport and residence permit, alongwith the original for authentication.
A copy of Investment License + Commercial registration.
3. Documents required for Activity Cancellation
Submit a request to cancel the activity required for cancellation, showing the file number and the reason for canceling such activity.
Submit a statement explaining the status of the previous workers who were recruited for that activity, therein attaching relavant documents such as certificates of departure or no utilization or no return or others.
Attach a copy of commercial registration or license of the cancelled activity or document showing transfer of ownership of the activity to another owner.
4. Documents required for Investor's entry visa
A copy of the Investors License + Commercial registration
A letter from SAGIA
Filling out a form
5. Documents required for recruiting house workers for investor
Filling out the prescribed form.
A copy of license + commercial registration
A copy of residence permit.
6. Documents required for opening a file for the company/plant
A copy of the Investment License
A copy of the commercial registration.
7. Documents required for transfer of sponsorship
Opening a file for the company/plant at Recruitment Department if there does not exit one.
Filling out the prescribed form (typed) and attaching a release letter from the current sponsor if the investor is resident in the Kingdom. The form should be stamped by the new company/plant stamp if the investor is coming for the first time.
A copy of valid passport and residence permit with the originals.
A copy of investment license (with the original for authentication).
A copy of commercial registration with the original for authentication, or a letter from the Ministry of Commerce for reservation of the trade name.
It is stipulated to alter the profession in the investor's passport to 'investor' from the investor's embassy (if the profession is registered in the passport by his country's authorities).
Sponsorship transfer fee is S.R (2000) for the first time, (S.R. 4000) for the second time, (S.R.6000) for the third time. (Submit the previous passports to specify transfer fees)
8. Documents required for Profession alteration
Referring to the embassy to alter the profession in the passport (if the profession is registered in the passport by his country's authorities.
A letter from the investor or the sponsor to alter the profession.
Attaching the approval of Labor Office for other professions.
A copy of Investment License with a copy of the passport and an amount of (1000) Saudi Riyals (alteration fee).
9. Documents required for issuance of residence permit or its renewal
Filling out the prescribed form (typed) duly sealed by the company/plant stamp with medical examination for new issuance.
Attaching a copy of the investor's passport and his dependants with the originals for authentication.
To renew a residence permit it is necessary to submit the original.
Residence permit fee is (S.R 500) per year plus S.R (150) for human resources fees
For non-investors an amount of S.R 100 is added for work permit (work permit is issued by the Labor office for an amount of S.R 100 per year).
10. Documents required for travel visa endorsement: (single entry or multiple entry)
Filling out the prescribed form (typed) and sealed by the company/plant stamp.
Attaching a copy of the residence permit with the original for authentication.
A valid passport for a period of not less than two months.
Payment of fees for single entry (SR 200).
Payment of fees for multiple entry(SR 500)
11. Documents required for granting final exit visas
Filling out the prescribed form (typed) and sealed by the company/plant stamp.
Attaching the original residence permit and the passport.
For a housemaid, it is necessary to bring a release from recruitment offices stating that she has received all herl rights.
12. Documents required for extension of exit and re-entry visa
Submitting the original residence permit
13.
Documents required for extension of visit visa
Filling out the prescribed form of visit extension application sealed by the stamp of the company/plant he is visiting.
A copy of passport.
Payment of SR 100 as fees.
A copy of Investment License.
14. Documents required for Departure certificates for those who left with re-entry visas but did not return.
Filling out the prescribed form.
Attaching the original residence permit.
15. Documents required for Data transfer in the new passport
submitting the old passport and the new one.
16. Documents required for exit re-entry visa cancellation
A letter requesting cancellation of exit re-entry visa or the final exit visa. Such letter should be stamped by the company/plant stamp.
17. Documents required for alteration of a visit visa to a residence permit for the investor and his family
Filling out the prescribed form duly stamped by the company/plant stamp.
Attaching copies of license and passport.
A letter from the investor.
A supporting letter from SAGIA.
Submitting the documents to General Directorate of Passports to obtain approval.
Payment of fees to change the visit to residence (SR 2000).
Payment of residence fees.
18. Procedures to obtain a frequent crossing card for King Fahad Bridge for the investor
The investor has to obtain multi-travel exit re-entry visa.
Submitting the passport and personal photograph (2x3 cm.).
Submitting the previous card (if any) upon renewal with the original passport and personal photos.
Note : This card can not be a substituted for the passport.
19. Documents required for Commercial Registration of an Individual Establishment
Fill out an “Individual Establishment Registration Application” (Head office/Branch).
Applicant must be 18 years old and over.
Lease contract or Property deed of the activity premises (shop, office, land).
Copy of ID for both CR owner and authorized agent, with the original for authentification and proof of the profession.
Submit a copy of power of attorney, in case of agent, with the original for authentification.
License from the concerned government agencies for activities to be licensed.
Copy of Director’s authorities, his actions and limits stipulated by the owner, along with proof of his profession
Fill out identification form by two registered establishments, notice or license from the concerned municipality.
If the investor is a student, then he should provided a certificate from the educational organization stating that he is regular student.
Power of attorney to a Saudi, non-government official, to finalize the registration procedures and Est. management, if applicant is a woman.
20. Documents required for Commercial Registration of a Limited Liability Co.
Fill out a “Limited Liability Co. Registration Application” (Head office).
Copy of the company’s Articles of Association registered with the Notary Public.
Copy of the official paper (Umm Al Qura) publishing the Articles + the receipt proving publishing + Acknowledgement to provide two copies of the paper when issued.
License from the government agency if company activities require that.
Shareholders’ resolution for appointing the company manager (s), if not included in the Articles.
Lease contract or Property deed of the activity premises.
Copies of ID's for manager(s) and shareholders.
Copy of bank statement for deposit of the company’s capital, if capital is cash.
Copy of investment license resolution.
21. Documents required for Joint Venture Co. (Saudi/Foreign)
Copy of the company’s Articles of Association registered at the Notary Public.
Copy of the daily official paper where the Articles are published.
Copy of fees payment receipt with an amount of SR 4.000 for five years.
Shareholders’ resolution for appointing the company manager(s), if not included in the Articles.
Lease contract or Property Deed of the activity premises.
Copies of ID's for manager(s), where the profession is stated.
Copy of the licenses obtained by shareholders to practice the profession.
The company shall be entered in the concerned register at Companies’ Department, and issue a certificate thereof to the concerned person.
22. Documents required for registering Trade Marks
Fill out trademark registration form application (5-1) for each mark by the concerned person or agent for one or more category of products or services. Applications vary according to the category for which a trademark is to be registered. Photo of the mark shall be affixed at the blank space allocated in the form.
Ten samples of the trademark (6 x 8 cm) identical to the sample affixed to the application form.
Power of attorney from applicant, if submitted by someone else.
Pay one thousand Saudi Riyals for each category of products or services required for trademark registration, provided that each category shall be submitted in a separate form.
Ensure that the application is conforming with the applicable rules, regulations and implementing procedures. When the trademarks registration is approved, Trademark Dept. shall prepare an advertisement about the trademark, and the applicant has to publish the advertisement in the official paper, at his own cost.
Ninety days after the date of the advertisement in the official paper, without objection submitted by anyone to Trademarks Office at the Ministry of Commerce, the Office shall register the trademark at the trademarks register after payment of the fees (SR 3.000), and the owner shall be issued a certificate thereof.
23. Documents required for first time labor recruitment
If it is an Individual Est., copy of the owner’s ID is required.
Copy of lease contract or Property Deed of the premises.
Recruitment application form filled out, signed and stamped.
Location map for which the recruitment is required, stamped by the Est.
Owner’s declaration that the premises exist and is equipped.
Particular acknowledgements, (including medical examination of labor, (for first time recruitment, and professions allocated to Saudis as stated in the Ministerial Resolutions after being signed and stamped).
Copy of valid registrations and licenses with the original for authentification.
Copy of Municipality license for the service activities.
Copy of company’s registration at GOSI when applying for the first time.
Statement of the number of labor from General Department of Investment for industrial licenses.
Certificate from Department of Zakat and Income tax stating payment of the dues, if the Est. is one year old or more.
Attach hanging file.
Floppy disk ishowing Est. employees, if any.
Copy of applicant’s ID, if individual Est.
24. Documents required for labor recruitment if the application is in lieu of departing labor, extension of Est. works, execution of private or government contracts.
The following shall be added to the above mentioned first time application:
Evidence supporting the need for labor, including professions.
Departure certificates and statement thereof.
Please note that if the number of labor at the Est. is more than twenty labors, the Est. shall have to abide by the Saudization percentage, as per the regulations.
25. Documents required for the issuance of Work Permits (Recruited for the first time, job change, service transfer)
Work permit application form, duly filled out, signed and stamped.
Evidence of the Est. registration at the Labor Office for authentification.
Submit original documents of the labor, such as travel documents, etc.
Attach photo of the employee (permit applicant).
Payment of the fees, SR 100 for one year, or SR 200 for two years
If permit is lost or damaged, you can apply to get another one by filling a form (in lieu of lost or damaged permit).
26. Documents required for job change of an employee
Fill out job change application form.
Valid commercial registration or activity practice license.
Conditions for approving job change:
i) New job required should be stated as mentioned in the professional employment manual.
ii) Employee should have completed at least three months of work with the employer, and should have the proper educational qualifications authenticated from the concerned authorities in his country with the Saudi Embassy’s certification.
The following shall be exempted from providing the qualification degree:
A. In case of a change resulting from promotion in the field of work
B. If job to be changed to a job that does not require a qualification
or training.
There should be homogeneity between the profession required to change to and the activity in which the worker will be employed
Attaching the original passport with the residence permit.
27. Documents required for Sponsorship Transfer of an employee
Filling out the application form for sponsorship transfer
Inspection of the workers passport and residence permit.
28. Documents required for obtaining an industrial land for a new factory.
A copy of industrial license.
Filling out the form.
Drawing a diagram showing how the area is divided.
29. Documents required for obtaining land for established factory outside industrial cities
A copy of the last industrial license.
Filling out the form.
A detailed report about the established factory outside the industrial city (according to the approved special form).
30. Documents required for acquiring extra land (extension)
A copy of the last industrial license of the factory.
A report from the industrial city about the factory (according to the approved form).
31. Documents required for obtaining a supporting letter for national factories to tender in governmental bids
Submitting an application.
Specifying the party concerned with support.
A copy of the industrial license.
32. Obtaining a supporting letter to get reduced advertising prices on T.V. commercials
Submitting an application.
A copy of the industrial license.
A copy to trademark registration.
A sample of products intended for advertising.
33. Documents required for obtaining a certificate for qualifying a product to enter G. C. C. states.
Filling out the form.
A copy of industrial license.
A copy of the budget.
34. Documents required for obtaining a release for chemical materials
Filling out the form and attaching a copy of the license plus purchase invoices.
Information about the chemical material and its composition from the supplying company.
35. Documents required for obtaining: Registration certificates from Zakat & Income Tax Dept.
Fill out information forms for taxpayers to whom investment licenses are issued.
Investment license copy.
Copy of Articles of Association (in case of companies).
Copy of commercial registration for head office and branches, if any.
Specify tax file No. in case of previous or current activity in the Kingdom.
Copy of capital deposit certificate from the bank for Saudi companies.
Power of attorney authenticated from the concerned authority in case of authorization.
36. Documents required for obtaining: Limited Certificates from the Zakat & Income Tax Dept.
Fill out the provisional or final acknowledgement within two and half months from the end of fiscal year of taxpayer (for companies) and within fifteen days from the end of fiscal year of taxpayer (for individuals).
Pay the amounts due under this declaration and any other amounts due on other non-resident parties, dealing with the taxpayer.
Submit copy of the final accounts approved by a licensed Auditor in the Kingdom, accompanied by the detailed statements.
37. Documents required for obtaining visit visa
Filling out the specified form.
A copy of the passport.
A copy of investment license.
Attach documents showing the purpose of the visit (for non-investors).
38. Documents required for application for financing agricultural projects from the Agricultural Bank
Application to obtain letter for financing the project from the Agricultural Bank.
Copy of the agriculture project license.
Feasibility study for the project.
After that, the application shall be studied by the Agricultural Bank, upon investor’s provision of the required conditions and warranties.
39. Other services provided by the Ministry of Agriculture
Grant uncultivated land for agricultural projects.
Pest control services, and veterinary care.
Approval letters for practicing service activities related to the Ministry such as:
a) Trade in Medicines and pharmaceuticals
b) Import, trade and sale of pesticides
c) Import, trade and sale of seeds, seedlings and fertilizers
d) Importation, hiring installation and maintenance of agricultural machinery and greenhouses
e) Taking care of animals, poultry and apiaries
f) Veterinary pharmacies
g) Carrying out work contracts of digging wells, surface excavations, artesian wells, their maintenance and operation and all related works.