How much permits cost to open in Riyadh
In Riyadh, the filings with a fixed government fee add up to about SAR 0. 4 more are set by the space or the business, and 2 are free. Build-out, insurance and adviser costs are on top.
Foreign investment license
Ministry of Investment (MISA)Saudi Arabia, national
A foreign-owned business gets the investment license before the commercial registration.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Renewed with the commercial registration.
Commercial registration
Ministry of Commerce, Saudi Business CenterSaudi Arabia, national
Registered online through the Saudi Business Center.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
Tax, VAT and zakat registration
Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA)Saudi Arabia, national
Register for zakat or income tax, and for VAT once taxable supplies pass SAR 375,000 a year. E-invoicing applies.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
Social insurance employer registration
General Organization for Social InsuranceSaudi Arabia, national
Register as an employer and enroll each employee.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
Municipal license
Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing (Balady)Saudi Arabia, national
Every shop, restaurant and warehouse gets the municipal license for its premises online.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Every year.
Civil Defense safety license
General Directorate of Civil DefenseSaudi Arabia, national
Premises open to the public and warehouses get the safety license online.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
Guides for each business in Riyadh
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your business in Riyadh
This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.
- The full list for your address, in filing order
- The official forms, filled line by line
- Renewal and inspection reminders