• 70240 Avenue of the Moon, California
  • +4733378901
Nimbus
?php echo get_bloginfo( 'name' ); ?>
  • Home
    • Consulting Business
    • Corporate Business
    • Insurance
    • Solar Energy
    • Software Landing
  • Pages
    • About Us
    • Team-1
    • Team Details
    • Projects
      • Projects
      • Project Details
    • Pricing
    • FAQ
    • Contact Us
    • Error Page
  • Services
    • Service Version One
    • Service Version Two
  • Blog
    • Blog-12
    • Blog Grid Two Colum
    • Blog Grid Three Colum
    • Blog Details
  • Shop
    • Shop
    • Cart
    • Checkout
    • My account
  • Contact Us
  • Get consultant
Nimbus
?php echo get_bloginfo( 'name' ); ?>
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Team
    • Career
  • Service
    • UAE Mainland Setup
    • UAE Freezone Setup
    • Business Incorporation in Saudi Arabia
    • Corporate Services
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Webinar
    • E-Book
  • Contact
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Team
    • Career
  • Service
    • UAE Mainland Setup
    • UAE Freezone Setup
    • Business Incorporation in Saudi Arabia
    • Corporate Services
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Webinar
    • E-Book
  • Contact
Nimbus
?php echo get_bloginfo( 'name' ); ?>
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Team
    • Career
  • Service
    • UAE Mainland Setup
    • UAE Freezone Setup
    • Business Incorporation in Saudi Arabia
    • Corporate Services
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Webinar
    • E-Book
  • Contact
Nimbus

How to Start a Consulting Business in Saudi Arabia: A Quick Guide for Investors in 2025

  • Home
  • Blogs
  • How to Start a Consulting Business in Saudi Arabia: A Quick Guide for Investors in 2025
  • July 3, 2025
  • Ibtasam Aziz
  • 29 Views

Saudi Arabia’s consulting sector is one of the fastest growing sectors, making it one of the most sought-after investment fields for foreign investors. For foreign consulting firms, especially those in IT and digital services, the window of opportunity is wide open. 
 
Whether you specialize in technology, management, or AI-driven consulting, Saudi Arabia offers a strategic, high-growth environment for expansion. 

If you’re considering launching a 100% foreign-owned consulting business in Saudi Arabia, here is a clear guide to the process, divided into three major phases. While timelines may vary slightly depending on the complexity of your business, most companies complete incorporation in 3 to 6 months. 

CONSULTING COMPANY FORMATION IN THE KSA – 3 MAIN PHASES

Phase 1: Legal Entity Establishment 

Setting up a legal entity is the foundation of your business journey in Saudi Arabia. This phase includes all essential registrations and government approvals. 

  1. Secure a MISA Investor License 
    The first step is obtaining an investor license from the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA). This license allows 100% foreign ownership in sectors approved by the Saudi government, including consulting services. 
  2. Name Reservation 
    You will need to reserve your company name through the Ministry of Commerce. It must comply with Saudi naming regulations and be unique within the registry. 
  3. Draft the Articles of Association (AoA) 
    Your AoA outlines the internal governance of your company. It needs to comply with local legal requirements and be notarized by an official notary service in Saudi Arabia. 
  4. Obtain Commercial Registration (CR) 
    Once your AoA is approved, you can apply for a Commercial Registration certificate. This is your company’s official registration with the Ministry of Commerce. 
  5. Register with the Chamber of Commerce (CoC) 
    This final step in Phase 1 makes your business a recognized commercial entity within Saudi Arabia and gives you access to a wide network of resources and services. 

Phase 2: Operational Licensing and Workforce Setup 

With your company now legally established, the next step is to prepare it for operation by completing essential regulatory registrations and setting up a local team. 

  1. Secure a Company Seal 
    All legal and financial documentation will require an official company stamp, which must be obtained and registered. 
  2. Register with the Ministry of Labor 
    This allows you to legally hire employees and access government employment services, such as job postings and visa sponsorships. 
  3. Register with GOSI (General Organization for Social Insurance) 
    GOSI registration is mandatory for all businesses employing staff, ensuring that employee social insurance is in place. 
  4. Complete National Address Registration 
    All companies in Saudi Arabia must register a physical address through the Saudi Post’s National Address system. 
  5. Apply for the General Manager (GM) Visa 
    Once your legal entity is set up, you can sponsor a GM to represent the company in the Kingdom. This visa is essential for on-the-ground management and banking procedures. 
  6. Register with ZATCA and VAT 
    All foreign-owned businesses must register with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA). If your business exceeds the VAT threshold (SAR 375,000 annually), VAT registration is mandatory. 

Phase 3: Residency, Compliance, and Banking

The final phase focuses on meeting local residency requirements and establishing operational infrastructure for your business. 

  1. Activate Chamber of Commerce Account 
    This enables full access to CoC services such as contract validation and commercial document attestation. 
  2. Obtain Health Insurance 
    Health insurance is required for the General Manager and any other staff before their residency permits (Iqama) can be processed. 
  3. Medical Checkup 
    This is a mandatory step for obtaining the Iqama and must be completed at a government-approved medical facility. 
  4. Process the General Manager’s Iqama 
    Once the health check and insurance are complete, the GM’s residency permit can be issued. 
  5. Register on the Muqeem Platform 
    Muqeem is an electronic system used for managing resident permits, exits, and re-entries. 
  6. Register on Absher 
    Absher is the personal portal used to manage services like Iqama renewals, travel permissions, and other official tasks. 
  7. Complete Qiwa Registration 
    Qiwa is the Ministry of Human Resources platform used for managing employment contracts and Saudization compliance. 
  8. Register with Mudad System 
    Mudad handles payroll and wage protection, ensuring timely and compliant employee salary disbursements. 
  9. Open a Corporate Bank Account 
    Once all official registrations are complete and the GM has their Iqama, you can open a corporate bank account with any of the licensed banks in the Kingdom. 

Why IT Consulting is Leading the Way? 

Among all consulting sub-sectors, IT remains the fastest-growing in Saudi Arabia. The digital transformation push under Vision 2030 has created an enormous demand for tech expertise in artificial intelligence, smart city design, cybersecurity, and data analytics. 

As of 2024, the ICT sector in Saudi Arabia is valued at over $48 billion (SAR 180 billion), making it the largest in the MENA region. The government has already invested more than $24.8 billion in digital infrastructure and continues to announce new mega-projects, including cloud data centers and AI parks. 

According to Vision 2030 objectives, the IT sector is projected to grow by 50% and increase its contribution to the national GDP by SAR 50 billion (around $11 billion) by 2030. 

Consulting Business Setup in Saudi Arabia

Starting a foreign-owned consulting business in Saudi Arabia may seem complex, but with the right knowledge and partners, the process is clear and manageable. 
 
The regulatory framework is evolving rapidly to support international companies, and the market potential, especially in IT and AI, is vast and growing. Companies that establish a presence early will be well-positioned to take advantage of ongoing economic diversification and digital transformation. 

Previus Post
Building the
Next Post
How the

Leave a comment

Cancel reply

Recent Posts

  • A New Chapter in GCC Investment: Saudi Arabia’s Stock Market Now Open to Regional Residents
  • The UAE’s New AI-Driven Planning Cycle – A Strategic Window for Foreign Investors
  • How to Start a Construction and Engineering Company in the UAE: A Comprehensive Guide for 2025
  • Dubai Strengthens Data Protection Law: What It Means for Businesses in the UAE?
  • Should You Buy a Shelf Company in the UAE in 2025? Here’s What Investors Need to Know

Recent Comments

No comments to show.

Recent Post

  • consua
    August 4, 2025
    A New Chapter in GCC Investment: Saudi Arabia’s Stock Market Now Open to Regional Residents
  • consua
    July 31, 2025
    The UAE’s New AI-Driven Planning Cycle – A Strategic Window for Foreign Investors
  • consua
    July 30, 2025
    How to Start a Construction and Engineering Company in the UAE: A Comprehensive Guide for 2025
  • consua
    July 29, 2025
    Dubai Strengthens Data Protection Law: What It Means for Businesses in the UAE?
  • consua
    July 28, 2025
    Should You Buy a Shelf Company in the UAE in 2025? Here’s What Investors Need to Know
  • Blogs

Success

Nimbus

Nimbus Consultancy
Bold Minds
Bold People.

Open Hours
  • Monday – Friday :
    9 am – 6 pm
Registration Number
  • DMCC173664
Address
  • Unit No: 1701 JBC4 Jumeirah Lakes
    Towers Dubai UAE
  • Boulevard Plaza Tower 2, Level
    22 - The Gate Office #5,
    Downtown Dubai, UAE

Our Company

  • About Us
  • Insights
  • Career
  • Contact

Our Services

  • UAE Mainland Setup
  • UAE Freezone Setup
  • Business Incorporation in Saudi Arabia
  • Corporate Services

Newsletter

Join our subscribers list to get the latest news and special offers.

Newsletter

Join our subscribers list to get the latest news and special offers.

    UAE | KSA | Antigua | Singapore

    © Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved by Nimbus Consultancy

    • Terms
    • Policy