The steps in order: MISA licence, name, commercial registration, then GOSI, VAT and Qiwa.
- A foreign-owned company usually starts with a MISA licence, then gets a commercial registration from the Ministry of Commerce.
- You choose a legal form first, such as an LLC, a one-person company or a branch of a foreign company.
- Foreign documents must be attested by the Saudi embassy, or carry an Apostille where the country allows it.
- After the commercial registration you register with GOSI, with ZATCA for VAT when needed, and on Qiwa.
Where to register, what you need, how VAT works and what the data law means for your store.
- Since March 2023 the Ministry of Commerce asks e-stores to register through the Business Platform, not Maroof.
- You need a commercial register or a valid freelance certificate, plus an active bank account.
- VAT is 15%. Registration is mandatory above SAR 375,000 of taxable turnover in 12 months.
- The data protection law (PDPL) applies to your customer data, so you need a clear privacy notice.
Who is online, which platforms reach the most people, and the licence and data rules to know first.
- About 34.4 million people use the internet in Saudi Arabia, which is 99.0% of the population (DataReportal, end of 2025).
- YouTube and Snapchat reach the most people among the big platforms, ahead of Instagram, Facebook and X.
- Individuals who publish adverts on their own accounts need a licence from GCAM, known as Mawthooq.
- The PDPL sets the rules for your email and phone lists, so collect consent and say why you ask.
The data law that binds you, the AI guidelines that guide you, and a safe way to start.
- The PDPL is the binding law that affects most AI use, because it covers personal data. It has been fully enforceable since 14 September 2024.
- SDAIA's AI Ethics Principles set seven principles for all AI systems.
- The Generative AI Guidelines for the Public are non-binding, but they list the risks to plan for.
- Do not paste customer data into an AI tool until you know where it is stored and why you may use it.
Real Estate Business3 min read Fal licences, Ejar leases, the 5% transaction tax and the new rules for foreign buyers.
- Brokers, marketers and consultants need a Fal licence from the Real Estate General Authority (REGA).
- Rental contracts follow the unified lease through the Ejar network.
- The real estate transaction tax is 5% of the agreed price, and the seller pays it.
- A new law opens property ownership to non-Saudis in designated zones. It was set to take effect in January 2026.
Hiring and Teams3 min read What to register, when to pay, and how Nitaqat and the wage system affect a new employer.
- Register your company with GOSI before or on the day of your first hire, then register each employee within 30 days.
- GOSI contributions are due by the 15th of the following month, paid through SADAD.
- GOSI registration activates your Qiwa account, and Qiwa shows your Nitaqat status.
- Salaries are cross-checked against GOSI records through the Wage Protection System.