Headquartered in Saudi Arabia. Licensed for the region.
The RHQ programme lets multinationals run MENA operations from Riyadh — with 0% tax on qualifying income and full access to government contracts.
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0% corporate tax · Required for government tenders · MISA-licensed · 30-year incentive
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Saudi Arabia's regional headquarters programme — the mandate and the opportunity.
The Saudi government requires multinationals bidding on government and SOE contracts to establish a registered Regional HQ in the Kingdom. The RHQ licence also unlocks 30 years of 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, Saudization flexibility, and the infrastructure that comes with a full MENA operations hub.
01
Gateway to government contracts
Without an RHQ, multinationals cannot bid on Saudi government or SOE contracts. The programme is the gate to the Kingdom's largest procurement pipeline.
02
30-year tax incentive
RHQ entities and their qualifying employees pay 0% corporate and income tax on regional HQ activities for 30 years from licence issuance — one of the most competitive incentive packages globally.
03
MENA operational hub
Run your Middle East and Africa operations from Riyadh. Banking, visas, staffing, and Saudization all governed under the RHQ framework.
For multinationals serving the Kingdom at scale.
Companies in government procurement
Businesses that sell to ministries, Aramco, NEOM, PIF-backed entities, or other government-linked buyers.
Regional MENA operators
Groups running GCC and MENA teams centrally, looking to consolidate their regional hub into Riyadh.
Technology and professional services firms
Companies supporting government digital transformation and Vision 2030 programmes that require a local strategic presence.
Infrastructure and engineering groups
Contractors, consultants, and advisers involved in giga-projects, NEOM, Diriyah, and national infrastructure.
Full RHQ setup, from licence to operational.
MISA RHQ licence, entity incorporation, tax registration, leadership visas, and government-tender readiness in one coordinated engagement.
- MISA Regional Headquarters licence application and approval
- Saudi entity incorporation (LLC subsidiary)
- RHQ financial incentive registration
- Senior leadership visas (CEO, CFO, country head)
- Commercial Registration and national address
- Qiwa, ZATCA, and Muqeem platform activation
- Corporate bank account with a SAMA-licensed bank
- Government tender eligibility documentation
From your decision to your new entity.
A defined, accountable sequence. You always know the current step, the next step, and who owns it.
Step 01
Document attestation
Authenticate your corporate documents via MOFA and embassy or apostille channels.
Step 02
MISA licence application
Prepare and submit your application to the Ministry of Investment, secure approval, and collect the licence.
Step 03
Commercial registration
Draft and notarise the Articles of Association and extract your Commercial Registration.
Step 04
Government platforms
Register your national address and activate Qiwa, ZATCA, and Muqeem.
Step 05
Visas & bank account
Issue the GM visa, onboard your founding team, and open your corporate bank account.
Quick answers on the RHQ route.
- What is the difference between an RHQ licence and a standard MISA licence?
- A standard MISA licence authorises foreign business operations in Saudi Arabia. An RHQ licence is specifically for multinationals establishing their regional headquarters — it unlocks the 30-year tax incentive and is required for government contract eligibility.
- Is the RHQ mandatory for government contracts?
- Yes. Multinationals cannot bid on or renew government and SOE contracts without an RHQ registered in Saudi Arabia. The requirement has applied broadly since 2024.
- What is the 0% tax incentive?
- RHQ entities qualify for 0% corporate income tax on qualifying regional HQ activities and 0% income tax for eligible employees, for 30 years from licence issuance.
- Do we need to relocate our global headquarters?
- No. The RHQ is a regional operational headquarters for Middle East and Africa. Your global HQ can stay where it is.
- How many employees must the RHQ have?
- MISA requires a minimum number of senior executives — typically C-suite or VP level — to be physically based in Saudi Arabia. We confirm the exact requirement at scoping based on your sector and structure.
- How long does RHQ setup take?
- Typically 6 to 12 weeks for the licence and entity. Government-tender registration with specific ministries has separate timelines that we manage in parallel.
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Establish your Saudi Regional Headquarters.
Thirty minutes with a specialist who has set up RHQs for multinationals across technology, professional services, and infrastructure.