After receiving your MISA foreign investment license, your next step is to legally register your company in Saudi Arabia. This phase involves preparing and notarizing three key documents that form the legal structure and authority of your new entity.

Step 1: Draft the Articles of Association (AoA)

The Articles of Association outline your company’s internal structure, governance, and rules. It must comply with the format approved by the Ministry of Commerce (MoC).

The AoA typically includes:

• Company name (Arabic and English)
  
• Registered address and activity description
  
• Shareholding structure and capital contributions
  
• Profit and loss distribution method
  
• Appointment and powers of the General Manager
  
• Quorum requirements for meetings and voting
  

LLCs are the most common structure and follow standardized AoA formats provided by the MoC.

Step 2: Issue a Power of Attorney (POA)

If the company’s founders or board members are not in Saudi Arabia, a notarized Power of Attorney (POA) is required to authorize a local representative to complete registration steps on their behalf.

Key uses of the POA:

• Representing the company before Saudi authorities
  
• Signing commercial registration and licensing documents
  
• Opening corporate bank accounts
  
• Managing notary procedures
  

* POAs must be legalized and embassy-certified if issued abroad. Arabic translations are mandatory.

Step 3: Prepare Shareholder or Board Resolutions

Resolutions are formal approvals by the parent company or shareholders to establish the Saudi entity. These resolutions must align with both local laws and the foreign entity’s jurisdiction.

Common resolution topics:

• Approving the establishment of the Saudi company
  
• Authorizing the General Manager and their powers
  
• Approving the AoA and proposed capital structure
  
• Authorizing the POA and its holder
  

* All resolutions must be certified by the Saudi Embassy in the origin country and translated into Arabic.

Important Considerations

Legalization
All foreign-issued documents (POA, Resolutions, CR, Financials) must be:

1. Notarized in the home country
   
2. Attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
   
3. Certified by the Saudi Embassy
   
4. Translated into Arabic (by a licensed translator)
   

Time Sensitivity
Some documents, like the POA, have expiration dates. Ensure document timelines align with registration processing.

Local Authority Requirements
The MoC, Notary, and Chamber of Commerce each have distinct format and signature rules. Rejections often occur due to improper formatting or language.

Our Role at Operational Framework

At Operational Framework, we act as your documentation and compliance partner. We do not offer legal advice but help ensure your documents meet the formatting, translation, and procedural standards required by Saudi authorities.

We assist by:

• Drafting structured templates for AoA, POAs, and resolutions based on accepted government formats
  
• Advising on required elements and sequence of document preparation
  
• Coordinating certified Arabic translations through approved language providers
  
• Guiding you through legalization steps, including notarization and embassy attestation
  
• Liaising with your legal representatives or notaries when their review or signature is required
  

* We work closely with clients and their legal teams when applicable, ensuring documents are complete, consistent, and prepared for approval by Saudi regulatory bodies.

Next Steps After Legal Documentation

With these documents in place, you're ready to:

• Complete Commercial Registration (CR)
  
• Obtain your Municipal License (Baladiya)
  
• Register with the Foreign Shareholder Certificate (FSC) system
  

These steps will be covered in Phase 3: Completing Company Registration & Initial Compliance.

Need support drafting your legal documents?
Let Operational Framework manage the legal setup and avoid delays or rejections.

Contact us or Book a Consultation to get started.