Saudia Company Formation
Company representatives meeting Saudi officials

Compliance · PRO

PRO and compliance services in Saudi Arabia, so no date slips through.

A Saudi company answers to six authorities, each with its own clock. MISA wants a yearly update, the Ministry of Commerce a yearly CR confirmation and the financial statements, ZATCA monthly and quarterly filings, and Muqeem a renewal before every Iqama runs out. We keep one calendar across all of them, file what’s ours to file and remind you before the rest.

  • One calendar for all six authorities
  • Reminders before each deadline, not after
  • Changes filed in the order the authorities expect

Compliance quote

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Tell us when your CR and MISA registration were issued.

The basics

What does compliance involve for a Saudi company?

Compliance for a Saudi company means meeting the recurring obligations of six authorities: MISA (annual registration update), the Ministry of Commerce (yearly CR confirmation, beneficial ownership and financial statements), ZATCA (VAT and withholding, plus the annual return), GOSI (monthly contributions), Qiwa (permits and contracts) and Muqeem (Iqamas and travel visas). A PRO, or public relations officer, handles the transactions with them.

The risk isn’t any single deadline. It is the gaps between them, because a lapse with one authority blocks services at another. A missed CR confirmation is the sharpest example: 90 days after the due date the CR is suspended, and SAMA’s rules then have the bank freeze the company’s corporate account straight away.

Where a transaction needs someone at a government office in the Kingdom, our own employee in Saudi Arabia goes. There’s no outsourced agent.

Infographic: what keeping a Saudi company compliant involves
Six authorities, one company.
Every year
CR confirmation, MISA update, annual return, Qawaem
Every month or quarter
VAT, withholding, GOSI
When things change
MISA within 10 working days; CR updated after MISA
Staff
Iqama renewals and travel visas
Changes
Managers, capital, activities, address
At the end
Voluntary closure in order

Worked example

A year of deadlines for a typical new LLC

A newly formed Saudi LLC meets eleven lines of deadlines in its first year, five of them with ZATCA alone. Take one with MISA registration on 1 March 2026, a CR issued on 15 March 2026, a 31 December year end, quarterly VAT from April 2026 and one foreign employee. Every date it has to meet:

Illustrative compliance calendar for a Saudi LLC registered in March 2026
WhenAuthorityWhat is due
10th of every monthZATCAWithholding statement and payment for last month’s payments abroad
15th of every monthGOSIContributions for the previous month
31 July 2026ZATCAVAT return for April to June
31 October 2026ZATCAVAT return for July to September
Early December 2026MISAAnnual update window opens, 60 working days before the due date
31 January 2027ZATCAVAT return for October to December
1 March 2027MISAAnnual update due; fee paid within 15 business days of MISA’s notice
15 March 2027Ministry of CommerceFirst annual CR confirmation on business.sa; the CR is suspended if it is still unconfirmed on 13 June 2027
30 April 2027ZATCAZakat or income tax return for 2026, and the annual withholding statement
30 June 2027Ministry of CommerceFinancial statements for 2026 filed on Qawaem
Before the Iqama expiresMuqeemRenewal for the foreign employee
Whenever something changesMISA and Ministry of CommerceNew address or account manager to MISA within 10 working days; ownership changes carried to the CR within 30 days of the MISA amendment

Your dates depend on your registration dates and year end. The MISA update sits before the CR confirmation for a reason: the Ministry of Commerce takes a foreign-owned company’s confirmation only while its MISA registration has at least 30 days left to run, and MISA’s 13th-edition guide adds that the shareholder’s own CR at home must still be valid. We build this table for each client on day one and send reminders ahead of each line.

By authority

Who wants what, and how often

Six Saudi authorities set a company’s recurring deadlines, each on its own cycle: yearly for the CR and MISA, monthly or quarterly for ZATCA and GOSI, and whenever staff change for Qiwa and Muqeem.

Recurring obligations of a Saudi company by authority
AuthorityWhatHow often
Ministry of CommerceCR confirmation; financial statements on Qawaem; ownership changesYearly; within 6 months of year end; within 30 days of a MISA ownership change
MISAAnnual update; notices of changes; questionnairesYearly; within 10 or 14 working days
ZATCAVAT, withholding, annual returnMonthly or quarterly; the 10th; within 120 days of year end
GOSIContributions and staff changesMonthly, by the 15th
Qiwa and MuqeemPermits, contracts, Iqamas, travel visasWhenever staff join, travel or renew

Scope

Five kinds of work in a compliance plan

Our compliance plan covers five kinds of work: yearly renewals, the tax calendar, staff transactions, company amendments and PRO follow-up with government offices. It picks up where formation ends, after the investor visa and Iqama are issued.

Filing yearly confirmations onlineEvery year

CR and MISA renewals

MISA’s annual update and the CR confirmation filed inside their windows, in that order.

Reviewing a tax calendarTax

Tax calendar with your accountant

VAT and withholding dates and the annual return deadline tracked; certificates collected after filing. Registration itself is our ZATCA and VAT service.

Handling staff transactionsStaff

Staff transactions

Joiners and leavers recorded on GOSI; permits and contract changes on Qiwa; Iqama renewals and travel visas on Muqeem.

Signing a company amendmentChanges

Amendments in the right order

A change of manager, owner, capital, activity or address filed with MISA and the Ministry of Commerce first, then carried to every other platform.

Representative at a government officePRO

Letters, licences, follow-up

Chamber attestations, premises licence renewals on Balady, and replies to government notices.

Plans

An annual plan, or one task at a time

Most operating companies take the annual plan, because six calendars are easier to keep as one. Others call us for a single task: a renewal, a certificate, a change or a closure.

Most chosen

Annual

Annual compliance plan

Your calendar across all six authorities, with reminders ahead of each date and the yearly filings done.

  • Records auditStart
  • CalendarShared
  • Yearly filingsDone
  • RemindersAhead of each date

For operating companies wanting one contact.

Quote the annual plan
One task

Transaction

Single government transaction

A renewal or a certificate, filed for you and reported back.

  • ScopeAgreed
  • DocumentsPrepared
  • FilingFollowed up
  • ResultReported

For one specific need.

Quote a task
Changes

Amendment

Amendment or closure

Managers, owners, capital, activities, address, or a voluntary closure, across every record.

  • Change mappedAll records
  • MISA and CRAmended
  • ZATCA, GOSI, QiwaUpdated
  • Bank mandateUpdated

For companies changing or winding down.

Quote a change

Rhythm

How our compliance service runs

Our compliance service starts with an audit of every record the company holds with the six authorities, fixes what is overdue, and then runs a calendar that repeats each month and each year.

  1. Phase 01

    Records audit

    The company’s records on all six authorities’ platforms compared; overdue items listed.

    Result: a status report

  2. Phase 02

    Catch-up

    Anything overdue or mismatched is fixed before the calendar starts.

    Result: clean records

  3. Phase 03

    Calendar

    Every recurring date in a shared calendar with owners and reminders.

    Result: your compliance calendar

  4. Phase 04

    Monthly and yearly rhythm

    Monthly filings coordinated; the yearly cycle completed on time.

    Result: a company in good standing

Infographic: how a Saudi compliance service runs
An audit first, then a calendar that runs itself.
Infographic: records needed for a Saudi compliance service
What we need to keep your records in step.

From you

What do we need to run your compliance?

To run your compliance we need copies of the company’s records, authorised access to its government platforms and a short staff list. We never need originals.

Company records

  • 01

    CR and MISA registrationCurrent copies

  • 02

    Articles and amendmentsEvery version

  • 03

    ZATCA registrationsTax, VAT, withholding

  • 04

    Platform accessAuthorised users on GOSI, Qiwa, Muqeem

  • 05

    Beneficial ownership recordCurrent

People and finance

  • 01

    Employee listIqama and contract dates

  • 02

    Financial year endAnd the accountant’s contact

  • 03

    ApproversWho signs off filings

Fees

What decides the fee

The fee for the annual plan is fixed for the year and set by company size and staff numbers, with no hidden costs; how we work explains how the scope is agreed. Government fees, such as MISA’s update fee and Iqama renewals, are paid to the authorities at cost.

  • Annual planFixed yearly fee
  • Government feesAt cost
  • One-off tasksFixed per task
  • Amendments and closureQuoted per case
  • Accounting and auditYour accountant

Compliance questions · 50

PRO and compliance questions

From MISA’s Investor Guide (13th edition), the Investment Law Implementing Regulations, the 2025 Commercial Register Law, Ministry of Commerce notices and ZATCA guidance.

01PRO services

What is a PRO service in Saudi Arabia?

A public relations officer service that handles a company’s government transactions: renewals, permits, attestations and filings.

Does every company need a PRO?

Every company has government transactions. Larger ones employ a PRO; smaller ones use a service.

What is the difference between PRO and compliance?

PRO is doing the transactions. Compliance is knowing what is due and when, and keeping the records consistent across authorities.

Which authorities do you deal with?

MISA, the Ministry of Commerce, ZATCA, GOSI, Qiwa and Muqeem, plus Balady for premises licences.

Can you work alongside our accountant?

Yes. They prepare the numbers; we keep the calendar and the government side.

Can you take over from another provider?

Yes, starting with a records audit.

Do you need our platform passwords?

Delegated user access is safer, with limits you approve.

Do you visit government offices?

Most transactions are online. Where one needs a visit in the Kingdom, our own employee in Saudi Arabia goes; there is no outsourced agent.

Do you keep our original documents?

No. We work with copies and authorised access.

02The yearly cycle

When is the CR confirmation due?

Every 12 months, on the CR anniversary, through business.sa. If it’s still unconfirmed 90 days after that date, the CR and its linked services are suspended. See Commercial Registration.

When is MISA’s annual update due?

On the registration’s anniversary. MISA sends a notice 30 working days ahead, and the fee is payable within 15 business days of notification. See MISA.

When does the MISA update window open?

Article 13 of the Investment Law Implementing Regulations lets you file within the 60 working days before the deadline.

When is the annual tax return due?

Within 120 days of year end: 30 April for a 31 December year end.

What if our year end isn’t 31 December?

The return is due 120 days after whatever year end your articles set, and the calendar follows it.

How often are VAT returns due?

Monthly above SAR 40 million of yearly supplies, otherwise quarterly, by the end of the following month.

When is withholding paid?

Within the first 10 days of the month after the payment.

When are GOSI contributions paid?

Monthly, within the first 15 days of the following month.

Are financial statements filed with the Ministry of Commerce?

Yes, on the Qawaem platform within six months of year end; for an LLC the manager or board of managers files them. We coordinate with your auditor.

Do municipal licences need renewing?

Yes. The premises licence renews on Balady, and renewal asks for the lease or deed plus a Civil Defense safety certificate or an accredited engineering report. It goes on the same calendar.

03Government transactions

Can you get a zakat or tax certificate?

Yes, once the annual return is filed.

Can you get Chamber attestations?

Yes, for company letters and documents.

Can you issue exit and re-entry visas?

Yes, through Muqeem, for your staff.

Can you renew Iqamas?

Yes, with fees and levies paid for the period.

Can you process work permits?

Yes, through Qiwa, subject to Nitaqat. See GOSI and Qiwa registration.

Can you answer MISA questionnaires?

Yes, within the 14 working days allowed, with your input.

Can you deal with notices from authorities?

Yes. We explain what is needed and reply with your approval.

Can you handle premises licences?

We coordinate municipal licences through Balady as part of the calendar.

Can you update employee records?

Yes. A job, wage or status change goes on every staff platform, so GOSI and Qiwa keep matching.

04Making changes

How is the general manager changed?

Articles and CR amended, then MISA, Qiwa, GOSI and the bank mandate, with residency if needed.

How is a shareholder added?

MISA ownership amendment first, then the partners’ resolution and the CR within 30 days, or MISA can restore the old record. Beneficial ownership data is updated alongside.

How is capital increased?

By resolution, with the articles and CR amended, and MISA if ownership changes.

How are activities added?

MISA first, then the CR and any sector licence.

How is the office moved?

National Address and CR updated; MISA told within ten working days.

How is the trade name changed?

CR and articles amended, then MISA, Qiwa, ZATCA and the bank.

In what order should changes go?

MISA, then the Ministry of Commerce, then ZATCA, GOSI, Qiwa, Muqeem and the bank.

How long do changes take?

MISA estimates five working days for most amendments; the whole chain depends on each authority.

05Penalties

What happens if the CR confirmation is missed?

The CR is suspended 90 days after the due date, which also freezes the company’s bank accounts under SAMA rules, and it is struck off after a year of suspension.

What if the MISA update fee isn’t paid?

The registration is treated as void, which blocks other services. If the update itself is missed, the regulations allow an application to reactivate within three years.

What counts as a serious MISA violation?

Investing without registration, practising a restricted activity without approval, misleading information.

What tax penalties apply?

For late registration, late filing, late payment and e-invoicing breaches.

What if Iqamas expire?

Fines, and services and travel blocked until renewal.

Can penalties be appealed?

Some can, through each authority’s process. Preventing them costs less.

How do you prevent misses?

A records audit first, then a shared calendar with an owner and a reminder ahead of each date.

06Closing a company

How is a Saudi company closed?

Staff and contracts settled, final returns filed and the ZATCA number closed, CR cancelled, then MISA cancelled.

What does MISA need to cancel?

A CR cancellation certificate and proof the ZATCA number is closed, with staff cleared and activity stopped.

How long does closure take?

MISA’s steps take about two working days once other records are closed; tax and staff take longer.

What happens to employees?

Final settlements are paid and the GOSI and Qiwa records closed. Foreign staff leave on final exit visas.

Is there a liquidation?

Companies are dissolved and liquidated under the Companies Law, with a liquidator and your accountant.

Can a branch be closed the same way?

Yes, by parent resolution and the same order of cancellations.

What decides the fee for compliance work?

Company size and staff numbers set the fixed yearly fee for the plan. One-off tasks are fixed per task, and government fees are paid at cost. Our other company formation services are quoted the same way.

References

Deadline sources

Opened on 15 October 2026 before citing. Your own registration dates set your calendar.

Ministry of Investment (MISA)Investor Guide (13th edition, 2026): annual update, amendments, violationsmisa.gov.sa ↗
Ministry of Investment (MISA)Investment Law Implementing Regulations, Article 13: annual update windowmisa.gov.sa ↗
Saudi Ministry of CommerceAnnual CR confirmation and the 90-day suspension rulemc.gov.sa ↗
Saudi Ministry of CommerceFinancial statements on Qawaem within six monthsmc.gov.sa ↗
ZATCAZakat and income tax returns within 120 dayszatca.gov.sa ↗

Status check

Send your registration dates and staff count

We reply within one working day with what is due and anything overdue, plus a fixed fee for the plan.

  • Records checked across authorities
  • Overdue items flagged
  • A dated calendar
  • Fixed fee, no hidden costs

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