Regional Headquarters (RHQ) in Saudi Arabia
Regional Headquarters In Saudi Arabia
The Regional Headquarters (RHQ) Program is a joint initiative between the Ministry of Investment (MISA) and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) designed to attract multinational enterprises to establish their regional administrative operations in Saudi Arabia.
As part of Saudi Vision 2030, the RHQ program offers exceptional incentives for eligible foreign-registered entities that maintain operations in 2 or more international subsidiaries. This strategic initiative positions Saudi Arabia as the premier business hub in the Middle East region.
Elevate International provides comprehensive support for multinational companies seeking to establish Regional Headquarters in Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam, ensuring seamless setup and full compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Key Benefits of RHQ Setup
Tax Incentives
30 years of exemption from corporate income tax (CIT) and withholding tax.
Workforce Flexibility
10-year exemption from Saudization requirements with unlimited executive and employee visas.
Market Success
Over 180 RHQs established in 2023, surpassing government targets with waived professional accreditation requirements.
Setting Up a Regional Headquarters (RHQ) in Saudi Arabia: A Step-by-Step Guide
Setting up a Regional Headquarters in Saudi Arabia positions your multinational enterprise as a strategic player in the Middle East with exceptional tax incentives and operational flexibility.
RHQ Key Advantages
30-year tax exemption, 10-year Saudization waiver, unlimited visas for executives, and eligibility for government tenders post-2025.
Eligibility Assessment
Confirm your entity is foreign-registered with established international presence in 2+ countries with operational subsidiaries.
Basic Requirements Preparation
Obtain attested commercial registration from your home country and prepare audited financial statements.
MISA License Application
Apply through Ministry of Investment (MISA) with commitment for minimum 15 full-time staff including 3+ C-level executives.
Documentation Submission
Provide proof of legal presence in 2+ countries, comprehensive business development plan, and regional strategy documentation.
Office Setup in Riyadh
Establish your regional headquarters office space in Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam with required infrastructure.
Compliance Commitment & Reporting
Submit comprehensive business plans and commit to ongoing financial reporting requirements to maintain RHQ status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Regional Headquarters in Saudi Arabia receive a 30-year exemption from corporate income tax (CIT) and withholding tax. This exceptional incentive makes Saudi Arabia one of the most attractive locations for multinational enterprises seeking regional operational bases.
RHQ entities receive a 10-year exemption from Saudization requirements, providing significant workforce flexibility. Additionally, RHQs benefit from unlimited executive and employee visas, spousal work permits, and extended dependent age limits up to 25 years.
To qualify for RHQ status, your entity must be foreign-registered with operations in 2 or more international subsidiaries. You must establish regional administrative operations in Saudi Arabia with a minimum of 15 full-time staff, including at least 3 C-level executives.
The RHQ application and approval process through MISA typically takes 8-12 weeks, depending on documentation completeness and business complexity. Elevate International streamlines this process by ensuring all requirements are met efficiently, from eligibility assessment to final compliance reporting.
Let's Build Future Together.
