If you want to open a travel agency in Saudi Arabia, you need to comply with various requirements. One of the most important is obtaining the tourism license. However, if you are a foreign investor, another step will be added – filing for a MISA permit.
Below, our company formation specialists in Saudi Arabia explain how you can start a tourism agency as a local or foreign investor. Along the line, you will also discover our business incorporation services.
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Steps to open a travel agency in Saudi Arabia
If you decide to set up a Saudi travel agency, here are the steps to follow:
- choosing the appropriate business form;
- registering it with the Commercial Registry;
- obtaining a tax identification number, a step that can be completed with the help of our accountants in Saudi Arabia;
- obtaining the municipal license for using the premises for physical activities (exemption apply);
- filing for the tourism license with the Ministry for Tourism.
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, if you are a foreign investor, there are a few additional steps to complete, namely:
- in relation to immigration to Saudi Arabia, you must apply for a Saudi Iqama (residence permit);
- apply for a MISA license, which is a service permit issued by the Ministry of Investment to foreign-owned companies.
Our local specialists are at your service and can help you open a company in Saudi Arabia as a foreigner. Also, our immigration lawyers in Saudi Arabia can handle the relocation process with a power of attorney.
Saudi company registration for tourism activities
Before filing for a travel agency license in Saudi Arabia, you must undergo the incorporation process of your company with the Ministry of Commerce. For this step, you need to provide the following documents:
- the statutory documents;
- proof of a Saudi registered address;
- a business plan.
Similar documents are required if you want to expand the activities of a foreign travel agency in Saudi Arabia through a subsidiary, for example.
Tourism licenses in Saudi Arabia
Once you reach this stage, you need to choose between the following travel agency licenses issued by the Ministry of Tourism:
- the General Tourism and Travel Services permit;
- the Tour Operations license;
- the Travel and Tourism Agencies authorization;
- the Accommodation Unit Bookings permit.
In order to obtain any of them, you must submit:
- proof of a physical office;
- details about the personnel (please note that you need to hire licensed travel agents);
- proof of experience in the tourism industry for the manager;
- financial guarantee for certain licenses.
The General Travel and Tourism and the Tour Operations licenses require a security deposit of SAR 800,000, respectively SAR 50,000 upon submitting the application.
A special license a Saudi travel agency can obtain is the Umrah and Hajj operator permit, which allows the organization of inbound and outbound religious tourism activities. In this case, the guarantee is SAR 500,000.
Our company formation agents in Saudi Arabia can help you prepare the file for obtaining a travel agency license. The process takes a few days to complete if the dossier is complete.
Tourism statistics in Saudi Arabia
If you choose to start a travel agency in Saudi Arabia, you will be glad to know that in 2024:
- There were no less than 86.16 million tourists to visit this country;
- They spent 6.25 nights on average;
- They spent SAR 115.28 billion;
- Riyadh was the most visited city with 17.6 million tourists.
Do not hesitate to contact our company registration advisors for support in filing for a travel agency license in Saudi Arabia.