Branch registration
MISA and the branch CR in your Indian company's name.
India
Saudi branch office
A Saudi branch of your Indian company, for the project you've already won
Indian engineering, EPC and IT firms often win a Saudi contract before they have a Saudi company. A branch lets your Indian company deliver it in its own name. The Indian parent stands behind the branch, so the Saudi side reviews the parent itself.
- Your company's own name
- Parent file prepared
- Fixed fee, agreed in writing
The short answerAn Indian company opens a Saudi branch by filing its apostilled parent documents with MISA and the Ministry of Commerce, appointing a branch manager and obtaining a branch Commercial Registration. The branch can only do what the Indian parent's objects allow, and its Saudi profit is taxed in Saudi Arabia at 20%.
Branch services
Branch services for Indian companies
Branch work for an Indian company starts with the MoA: if its objects don't cover the Saudi work, the branch can't do it, so we check them before anything is filed.
Objects check
We check your MoA covers the Saudi work before anything is filed.
Branch manager
Appointed by your board and sponsored for residency.
Branch tax
ZATCA registration; the branch's Saudi profit is taxed in Saudi Arabia.
Project team visas
Work visas, GOSI and Qiwa for the Indian engineers delivering the work.
Branch or subsidiary?
Branch or subsidiary for an Indian company
An Indian company picks a branch to deliver one Saudi project in its own name and a Saudi subsidiary of an Indian company to build a lasting Saudi business. The difference that matters most: the Indian parent answers for a branch's debts. Owners outside India can read our branch office registration guide.
| Question | Branch | Subsidiary (LLC) |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Part of the Indian company | A separate Saudi company |
| Liability | The Indian parent stands behind it | Limited to the LLC's capital |
| Activities | Only the parent's objects | Any activity open to foreign investors |
| Suits | One Saudi project or contract | A lasting Saudi business |
The parent file
What an Indian parent company sends for a branch
An Indian parent opening a Saudi branch sends its own corporate file, because legally the branch is the Indian company, and the MoA objects must cover the Saudi work. Each paper goes through the chamber and MEA apostille route before translation.
Certificate of IncorporationFrom the MCA
MoA and AoAObjects covering the Saudi work
Audited financial statementsLast financial year
Board resolutionOpening the branch and appointing its manager
Manager's passportFor the CR and residency
Power of attorneyNotarised and apostilled
The route
Registering a Saudi branch from India
A Saudi branch of an Indian company is registered in four steps. The only one that happens in your own city is the chamber stamp on the parent's commercial papers before the MEA apostille.
- 1IndiaObjects and structure checkBranch or subsidiary, decided in writing.
- 2IndiaChamber and MEA apostilleFor the parent's commercial documents.
- 3Saudi ArabiaMISA and branch CRFiled under your power of attorney.
- 4Saudi ArabiaTax, staff and bankZATCA, GOSI, Qiwa and the branch account.
The rules behind a branch
What India and Saudi Arabia require of a branch
A Saudi branch sits outside India's ODI rules, because the 2022 Overseas Investment Rules cover foreign entities with limited liability and a branch is part of the Indian company. The money to run it still goes through your AD bank.
Not ODIA branch has no limited liability of its own, so it is not a "foreign entity" under the 2022 rulesRBI Overseas Investment Directions
Operations onlyMoney sent to a branch abroad must fund its normal business, never an overseas investmentRBI Overseas Investment Directions
Last FYParent's commercial registration and last fiscal year's financial statements, for MISAMISA Investor Guide (2026)
14 Jul 2005India's apostille date; Saudi Arabia joined on 7 December 2022HCCH status table
Branch questions from India
Saudi branches for Indian companies: your questions
Does a branch count as ODI?
No. The 2022 rules cover foreign entities with limited liability, and a branch is part of your Indian company. Money sent to it goes through your AD bank and may only fund the branch's normal business operations, not an investment. We supply the Saudi documents the bank asks for.
Is the Indian parent liable for the branch?
Yes, fully. That liability is why long-term businesses usually choose a subsidiary.
Can the branch do work outside our MoA?
No. A branch only carries on activities the parent's objects allow, so we check the MoA first.
How is a branch taxed?
Its Saudi profit is taxed at 20% in Saudi Arabia, and profit sent back to India is treated as a dividend with 5% withholding. The branch also files its accounts and auditor's report within six months of the year end. India's treatment is for your CA; the treaty gives credit to avoid full double tax.
Can our engineers work at the branch?
Yes, on Saudi work visas sponsored by the branch, within Saudization rules and the expat levy.
Is a branch quicker than a subsidiary?
Not usually. The parent file is bigger, so the Indian paperwork often takes longer.
Across India
Branches for Indian companies from any city
Engineering firms in Chennai and Pune and consultancies in Delhi NCR follow the same route, with our calls in IST. Once the branch CR is issued, the project team moves on to Saudi work visas and Iqamas; our Saudi company formation in India page shows where the branch fits in the wider route.
MumbaiChamber stamp, then MEA
Delhi NCRChamber stamp, then MEA
BengaluruChamber stamp, then MEA
HyderabadChamber stamp, then MEA
ChennaiChamber stamp, then MEA
PuneChamber stamp, then MEA
AhmedabadChamber stamp, then MEA
KochiChamber stamp, then MEA
KolkataChamber stamp, then MEA
JaipurChamber stamp, then MEA
ChandigarhChamber stamp, then MEA
NRIs in the GulfInvesting money held abroad
India desk · calls in IST
Check if a branch fits your Saudi project
Send the contract scope and your Indian company's objects. We tell you in writing whether a branch or a subsidiary fits better.