Entrepreneur registration with MISA

MISA has a dedicated registration for startups, listed in its Investor Guide as "Registration for Entrepreneurial Establishments" and in its FAQ as Entrepreneur Registration. It lets a foreign founder register an investment in the Kingdom through the startup route rather than the standard one.

It is meant for innovative, distinctive or emerging-technology companies that are able to expand and grow — and that are backed by a support entity MISA recognises.

The key document is a letter of support, or proof that the project is accredited, issued by the supervising authority: a Saudi university or an accredited business incubator. The letter states the activity code and the ownership details.

The incubating entity stays involved afterwards. Under MISA's terms and conditions, a new registration, added activities or a change of ownership need the incubating entity's approval.

Depending on who the founders are, MISA's Investor Guide also asks for:

• The commercial registration of any foreign company that is a partner, attested by the Saudi embassy
• An ID copy for a Gulf (GCC) partner not registered in Absher
• If a founder already lives in the Kingdom, a no-objection letter from their employer and their iqama

Premium Residency holders are exempt from the attested foreign commercial registration. The registration fee is set by MISA, and MISA states that it reviews applications within up to 10 days.

Once MISA confirms the registration, the founders set up the company and obtain its commercial registration, followed by the usual files: ZATCA, the Chamber, the National Address, Qiwa, GOSI and Muqeem. Our guide to setting up a company as a foreign investor walks through them in order.

The Premium Residency Center's Entrepreneur Residency builds on this route. Its first category asks for an entrepreneur licence from the Ministry of Investment, a funding round of at least SAR 400,000 from an investor on the Center's approved list, and a founder's share of at least 20%. It runs for five years, renewable once, and the company is exempt from Nitaqat for its first three years. The government fee is SAR 4,000, paid once.

Our guide to Premium Residency types covers both categories.

Mohla Start has an entrepreneur track: we help you put together your startup profile and document pack, prepare the file for your support entity's letter, submit the registration to MISA, and then set up the company and its registrations. You follow each stage in your Mohla account.

Government fees are paid at cost. Mohla's own fee is in the written quote you receive before any work starts.