Services License
in Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia provides many areas for investment
A service activity license covers the following activities
in Saudi Arabia
- Constructions
- Administrative Investment
- Information Technology
- Tourism
- Training
- Health
- Insurance and Re-Insurance
- Education
- Advertising and Media
- Logistic Services
- Organising Exhibitions
- Catering and Food Services
- Financial Services
- Aviation and Handling Services
The Significance of the Transport Sector in Saudi Arabia
Economic Growth
The transport sector plays a key role in supporting economic growth in the country by providing efficient and reliable transportation services, linking businesses and consumers, and facilitating trade and commerce.
Strategic Location
Saudi Arabia is located at the crossroads of major trade routes and is a gateway to several regional markets, making it an important centre for transportation and logistics.
Government Support
The government of Saudi Arabia recognizes the importance of the transport sector and has been making significant investments to upgrade and modernize the transportation infrastructure, including roads, airports, ports, and rail networks.
Tourism Industry
The transport sector is also crucial for developing the tourism industry, as tourists require convenient and efficient transportation options to travel within the country and visit its attractions.
Services Licensing Requirements in Saudi Arabia
License to Practice Bus Public Transportation within Cities
This license permits international companies to operate public bus transportation services in cities within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Required Documents
- The Company’s Board of Directors’ resolution indicating their plan to invest in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, listing the names of shareholders, capital amount, shareholders’ shares, business activity, location, and the appointment of General Manager and his powers, authenticated by the Saudi Embassy.
- A copy of the business entity’s commercial registry from its country of origin, with authentication from the Saudi Embassy.
- Evidence demonstrating adherence to contract completion timelines in the previous five years.
- Documentation showing financial capability aligned with the project’s capital requirements, shareholder contribution, consistency with the project’s implementation plan, and in accordance with the financial restrictions established for the type of activity.
Rules and Restrictions
- Alignment of the Saudi shareholder(s) percentage and capital with the financial restrictions outlined for the type of activity.
- The foreign company’s average revenue over the past three years prior to the license grant must be at least 3 billion Saudi riyals, with a minimum asset value of 1.5 billion Saudi riyals.
- The foreign company must hold licenses in at least two countries and have a minimum of 10,000 employees.
- The minimum capital requirement for bus procurement, operation, and maintenance must meet the Ministry of Investment’s standards for service sector companies (500,000 SAR).
- In the case of a Saudi shareholder, a copy of the Department of Transportation/Public Transportation Authority license for bus transportation activities is required.
- Compliance with the nationalization quotas set by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development for transportation services, as amended.
- The establishment’s record requesting the license must not include any previous license revocations, either inside or outside of Saudi Arabia, within the ten years prior to the license request.
- There should be no record of fines or penalties related to traffic safety, either inside or outside of Saudi Arabia, in the ten years prior to the license request.
- Approval from the relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia for the use of public transportation during emergencies, crises, and wars.
- Technical specifications and production processes must adhere to Saudi, Gulf, or international standards.
- The applicant must submit annual plans for improving security levels to the Public Transport Ministry for review.
- The applicant must provide data of the Saudi national identity, premium residency, residency, or commercial registration data for any participating Saudi companies when submitting the electronic application.
Services Licensing Requirements in Saudi Arabia
Required Documents
- You will provide these:
- A copy of the commercial registration of the shareholding partner certified by the Saudi Embassy.
- A copy of the national identity if one of the partners is a natural person holding the nationality of one of the GCC countries (in case his data is not registered in the ABSHAR system).
- You will provide the foreign company’s financial statements for the last financial year certified by the Saudi Embassy.
Rules and Restrictions
- There should be consistency between the total percentage of the Saudi shareholder(s) and the capital per the financial limits stated for the type of activity
- Premium residence holders have an exemption for the above documents.
- If one of the partners was previously licensed by the Ministry of Investment, it must be mentioned in the partners' data while filling out the electronic application.
- The applicant must enter the data of the Saudi national identity / Premium residence/residence if one of the partners holds any of them or the commercial registration data for the participating Saudi companies while filling out the electronic application.
- In case the license is a health activity, the following shall be required:
- - The legal entity must be a company.
- - The health facility must have accreditation from a recognised health organisation.
- - Have at least three years of experience in the country of the establishment.
Obtain Your Services License in Saudi Arabia with Emerald
Emerald assists you in getting your Services license in KSA so you can carry out your business activities compliantly.
Reach out to us for swift Transport License acquisition.License to Practice Bus Public Transportation within Cities
This license permits international companies to operate public bus transportation services in cities within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Required Documents
- The Company’s Board of Directors’ resolution indicating their plan to invest in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, listing the names of shareholders, capital amount, shareholders’ shares, business activity, location, and the appointment of General Manager and his powers, authenticated by the Saudi Embassy.
- A copy of the business entity’s commercial registry from its country of origin, with authentication from the Saudi Embassy.
- Evidence demonstrating adherence to contract completion timelines in the previous five years.
- Documentation showing financial capability aligned with the project’s capital requirements, shareholder contribution, consistency with the project’s implementation plan, and in accordance with the financial restrictions established for the type of activity.
Rules and Restrictions
- Alignment of the Saudi shareholder(s) percentage and capital with the financial restrictions outlined for the type of activity.
- The foreign company’s average revenue over the past three years prior to the license grant must be at least 3 billion Saudi riyals, with a minimum asset value of 1.5 billion Saudi riyals.
- The foreign company must hold licenses in at least two countries and have a minimum of 10,000 employees.
- The minimum capital requirement for bus procurement, operation, and maintenance must meet the Ministry of Investment’s standards for service sector companies (500,000 SAR).
- In the case of a Saudi shareholder, a copy of the Department of Transportation/Public Transportation Authority license for bus transportation activities is required.
- Compliance with the nationalization quotas set by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development for transportation services, as amended.
- The establishment’s record requesting the license must not include any previous license revocations, either inside or outside of Saudi Arabia, within the ten years prior to the license request.
- There should be no record of fines or penalties related to traffic safety, either inside or outside of Saudi Arabia, in the ten years prior to the license request.
- Approval from the relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia for the use of public transportation during emergencies, crises, and wars.
- Technical specifications and production processes must adhere to Saudi, Gulf, or international standards.
- The applicant must submit annual plans for improving security levels to the Public Transport Ministry for review.
- The applicant must provide data of the Saudi national identity, premium residency, residency, or commercial registration data for any participating Saudi companies when submitting the electronic application.