VAT Registration

Saudi VAT registration for non-resident companies

Saudi VAT Expert handles your ZATCA registration end to end obligation assessment, document preparation, tax representation and follow-up until your VAT number is issued.

When registration is required

Value Added Tax in Saudi Arabia is charged at a standard rate of 15% on most goods and services supplied in the Kingdom. Where a non-resident business makes taxable supplies in Saudi Arabia, the obligation to register with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) generally arises immediately — the domestic registration threshold does not apply to non-residents.
Because non-resident taxpayers usually cannot deal with ZATCA directly, an approved tax representative is appointed to act on their behalf. Getting this structure right at the outset determines whether registration takes weeks or months.
  • Certificate of incorporation or commercial registration
  • Articles of association or equivalent constitutional documents
  • Evidence of taxable supplies made or intended in Saudi Arabia
  • Passport or national ID for authorised signatories
  • Business bank account details
  • Power of attorney appointing your tax representative
  • Certified Arabic translation of non-Arabic documents

Typical timeline

  1. Week 1

    Assessment and document collection

    We confirm your registration obligation, list exactly what is needed, and review your documents for certification issues before anything is submitted.

  2. Week 1–2

    Tax representative appointment

    Where required, a ZATCA-approved tax representative is appointed and the power of attorney is executed.

  3. Week 2–3

    ZATCA submission

    Your application is filed through the ZATCA portal with the complete supporting file, and we track its progress.

  4. Week 3–4

    VAT number issued

    Your VAT registration certificate is issued. We confirm your filing frequency and set up your first return cycle.

Key facts

Standard VAT rate
15%
Non-resident threshold
None — register from first supply
Typical duration
2–4 weeks with complete documents
Regulator
ZATCA

Frequently asked questions

Saudi VAT questions
Non-residents ask first

Do non-resident companies need to register for VAT in Saudi Arabia?

In most cases yes. A non-resident business making taxable supplies in the Kingdom is generally required to register with ZATCA from its first taxable supply, without benefiting from the domestic registration threshold.

The standard VAT rate is 15%. Certain supplies, such as qualifying exports and some medical and educational services, are zero-rated or exempt.

With a complete and correctly certified document set, registration typically completes within two to four weeks. Incomplete files are the main cause of delay.

You do not always need a local entity, but non-resident taxpayers are normally required to appoint a ZATCA-approved tax representative who is jointly responsible for your VAT obligations.

Start your Saudi VAT registration

Send us your company details and sales model. We will confirm whether you must register and what the process involves.

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