Names
In Saudi Arabia the trade name is reserved with the Ministry of Commerce through the Saudi Business Center before the commercial registration (CR) is issued. The Trade Names Law that took effect on 3 April 2025 changed the rules: English names are now allowed, the reservation lasts 60 days and decisions take up to 10 days.
Reserving a trade name in Saudi Arabia, step by step
- Pick three names in order of preference. Use the generator above with Saudi Arabia selected, and keep the activity in mind: the name must not be just a description of the activity.
- Log in to the Saudi Business Center (business.sa) with Nafath, the national single sign-on. The applicant must be at least 18 and be the owner of the future business or formally authorised by them.
- Choose "Reserve a trade name" under the Ministry of Commerce services and enter the names in Arabic, in English, or both.
- Pay the fee. SAR 200 for an Arabic name and SAR 500 for an English name, under the 2025 implementing regulations.
- Wait for the decision. The registrar decides within 10 days, or up to 30 when another authority must approve the name.
- Issue the commercial registration within 60 days. You can extend once for another 60 days (SAR 100). If the CR is not issued in time, the reservation lapses and anyone can take the name.
What the 2025 law allows and refuses
- Allowed: Arabic words, Arabic written in Latin letters, English words, letters and numbers (up to nine digits), or a mix. An English name needs its Arabic counterpart.
- "Saudi" or a city name is allowed if it is not the main part of the name. Makkah and Madinah need approval from their own authorities.
- Refused: names that are misleading, against public order, political, military or religious, or close to a famous trademark you don't own.
- Too similar: a name is refused if it matches a registered or reserved name with the words in another order, one letter changed, a plural or "al-" added, or the same sound spelled differently. This applies in any activity.
- Protection: a registered name can be sold or assigned, and using someone else's registered or reserved name can bring a SAR 10,000 fine.
Options for Saudi residents
| You are | Usual route | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| A Saudi citizen | A sole establishment or a company, registered with the Ministry of Commerce | For many solo activities, the free freelance document (freelance.sa) lets you work without a CR. Monshaat runs support and financing programmes for small businesses. |
| A GCC national | Treated much like Saudi citizens for most activities | Some activities are still reserved for Saudis. Check the activity list before you apply. |
| An expat resident (iqama) | A foreign-owned company with a MISA investment licence, then the CR | Sole establishments are generally reserved for Saudi and GCC nationals. Premium Residency holders have wider rights to do business: check what your category allows with MISA. |
| Living abroad | A MISA licence from abroad, or a UAE company serving the region | Many Gulf businesses start in a UAE free zone and add a Saudi entity once they win Saudi contracts. |
Avoid "tasattur". Running your business under a Saudi friend's name or CR is illegal under the Anti-Concealment Law, with heavy fines for both sides. Own it properly through the route that fits you.
After the reservation
- Issue the CR, which under the 2025 Commercial Registration Law no longer expires but must have its data confirmed every year.
- Register the .sa and .com domains the same day: see the Saudi Arabia page for the domain check and estimated setup costs.
- Fees and rules change. Confirm the current amounts on business.sa before you pay; this page is general information, not legal advice.
Questions
How much does it cost to reserve a trade name in Saudi Arabia?
SAR 200 for an Arabic name and SAR 500 for an English name, plus SAR 100 for a 60-day extension, under the 2025 implementing regulations. Confirm the current fee on the Saudi Business Center before you pay.
How long is a trade name reservation valid in Saudi Arabia?
60 days, extendable once by another 60 days. If the commercial registration is not issued in that time, the name returns to the register.
Can a trade name be in English in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Since the Trade Names Law took effect in April 2025, a name can be in English, in Arabic or a mix, and can include up to nine digits. An English name needs its Arabic counterpart.
Can an expat in Saudi Arabia own a business?
Yes, usually through a foreign-owned company with a MISA investment licence. Sole establishments are generally reserved for Saudi and GCC nationals, and Premium Residency gives wider rights. Check your case with MISA.
Jurisdictions at a glance
| Jurisdiction | Legal suffix | Domain | Headline corporate tax | Typical setup cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE Mainland | LLC, Sole Establishment | .ae | 9% corporate tax on profit above AED 375,000 | About AED 11,500–14,000 |
| UAE Free Zone (DMCC, IFZA, RAKEZ…) | FZ-LLC, FZCO, FZE, DMCC | .ae | 0% on qualifying income, 9% on the rest | From about AED 6,000 |
| DIFC (Dubai) | Limited, Ltd | .ae | 0% on qualifying income, 9% on the rest | About AED 100,000 year one |
| ADGM (Abu Dhabi) | Ltd, Limited | .ae | 0% on qualifying income, 9% on the rest | About US$6,300 |
| Saudi Arabia | LLC | .sa | 20% on foreign-owned profit, 2.5% zakat on Saudi and GCC shares | About SAR 15,000 in fees |
| Qatar (QFC) | LLC | .qa | 10% on locally sourced profit | US$500 application |
| Bahrain | W.L.L., S.P.C. | .bh | No general corporate tax (oil and gas and large multinationals aside) | About BHD 250–450 in fees |
| United Kingdom | Ltd, Limited | .co.uk | 19% to 25% corporation tax | £100 |
| Ireland | Limited, DAC | .ie | 12.5% on trading income | €50 |
| Estonia (e-Residency) | OÜ | .ee | 0% on retained profit, 22% on distributed profit | €265 + e-Residency |
| Netherlands | B.V. | .nl | 19% up to €200,000, then 25.8% | €500–1,500 notary |
| Germany | GmbH, UG (haftungsbeschränkt) | .de | About 30% combined corporate and trade tax | About €600 + capital |
| Cyprus | Ltd, Limited | .com.cy | 15% corporate tax (from 2026) | Low registrar fees |
| USA: Delaware | Inc., LLC, Corp. | .us | 21% federal, no Delaware income tax if you don't operate there | $109–110 |
| USA: Wyoming | LLC | .us | 21% federal, no state income tax | $100 |
| Singapore | Pte. Ltd. | .com.sg | 17% headline, with partial exemptions for new companies | S$315 |
| Indonesia | PT, PT Perorangan, CV | .co.id | 22% corporate tax, with a 0.5% final tax on turnover for small businesses | From about IDR 5 million for a local PT |
| Hong Kong | Limited | .com.hk | 8.25% on the first HK$2 million, then 16.5% | About HK$3,900 |
| Nigeria | Ltd, Limited | .com.ng | 0% for small companies, 25% company income tax plus a 4% development levy for the rest (from 2026) | From ₦10,000 in CAC fees |
| Egypt | LLC, S.A.E., OPC | .com.eg | 22.5% corporate tax | Depends on capital |
| British Virgin Islands | Ltd, Limited, Inc. | .vg | 0% | $550 + agent |
| Cayman Islands | Ltd | .ky | 0% | About $5,000 with a provider |
How to choose a company name that gets approved
- Check the register first: names identical or very close to an existing company are refused.
- Avoid regulated words such as Bank, Insurance, Capital or Trust unless you hold the licence.
- In the Gulf, avoid religious, royal or government terms and place names such as Dubai or Emirates.
- In the UK, sensitive words such as British, Royal, Charity or Institute need prior approval.
- Secure the .com and the country domain on the same day you reserve the name.
The rule checks are a quick screen based on published guidance, not legal advice. The registry has the final say.
Information only. CorpNameCheck does not give tax, legal or company-registration advice. Costs, rules and tax rates are simplified estimates that change over time. Many activities need a licence or regulatory approval, and only the relevant registry or regulator can confirm what applies to you. Check name availability and trademarks with the official bodies before you register or buy a domain. Full disclaimer